He has 4 attributes that are in demand, pace, disposal skill, work ethic and a footy brain. 

He complements our other mids so well. Has what we lack in very neat kicking skills and line breaking despite not being lightning quick. As soon as he kicked the ball in the 4th I knew it would be a goal, there are only 2 other players on the list (Watts, Salem) that I would have had the same confidence with right then. Has slipped under the radar a bit but has contributed just as much as our other young more fancied players. Also quite tough for such a slight player, should be very important going forward.

Quick and skillful outsider who's happy to go when it's his turn. He's had a terrific year and only turns 20 this week I believe.

I reckon that goal he kicked on the weekend will end up being a pretty famous Melbourne goal.

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

He has 4 attributes that are in demand, pace, disposal skill, work ethic and a footy brain. 

And elite agility....has the quickest feet in the side bar Garlett.

Loving his contribution to the team.

13 hours ago, Rogue said:

I think that's crazy talk - there'd be 15+ guys I'd reel off before Strech even entered the conversation. He's showed some good signs though and I'm interested to see where he's at in two years time. I think the competition for spots in our best team will be fierce.

We are not that far off Rogue. You're saying he is about 15th I'm saying roughly top 10 already. Emphasis on rough as he is so young in his career/development there are going to be a few off matches. Although that's no diff to others on similar game experience I realise.

Does a lot right and I really value that despite being predominately an outside player, he can get his own ball at times.  Must build some strength over the coming off season though because he doesn't stick anywhere near as many tackles as he could.

1 hour ago, Ricky P said:

Quick and skillful outsider who's happy to go when it's his turn. He's had a terrific year and only turns 20 this week I believe.

I reckon that goal he kicked on the weekend will end up being a pretty famous Melbourne goal.

The goal he kicked against Geelong last year was pretty good.

3 hours ago, Mach5 said:

Add in Salem...

Is Salem that fast? I would have thought he breaks lines but in a different way; with his evasiveness and foot skills...

1 hour ago, S_T said:

Does a lot right and I really value that despite being predominately an outside player, he can get his own ball at times.  Must build some strength over the coming off season though because he doesn't stick anywhere near as many tackles as he could.

If had have taken Gibson to ground in that tackle we would be going delerious on here. That was a pretty critical time in the game.

 

2 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

If had have taken Gibson to ground in that tackle we would be going delerious on here. That was a pretty critical time in the game.

 

yes, but remember he is still just 19. he has plenty of time to perfect his tackling skills. he already doesn't lack in aggression when he needs to, so i wouldn't at all be worried about his current level of tackling ability. his development to date has been impressive and shows no signs of tailing off. he's a gem.

1 hour ago, mo64 said:

The goal he kicked against Geelong last year was pretty good.

Yeah, I was right behind that one. You can just see my and my mates going nuts at the back of the Gary Ablett terrace as it sails through.

38 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

yes, but remember he is still just 19. he has plenty of time to perfect his tackling skills. he already doesn't lack in aggression when he needs to, so i wouldn't at all be worried about his current level of tackling ability. his development to date has been impressive and shows no signs of tailing off. he's a gem.

That was a good effort from stretcher - did his best - but Gibbo's 20 extra kgs and 13 extra pre-seasons held him in good stead. 

2 hours ago, Ricky P said:

Quick and skillful outsider who's happy to go when it's his turn. He's had a terrific year and only turns 20 this week I believe.

I reckon that goal he kicked on the weekend will end up being a pretty famous Melbourne goal.

It was pretty huge and really gave them the belief that they could be headed late and get themselves back in front.

Playing so well for his age. Well done son. 

This team has oodles of talent.

1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

yes, but remember he is still just 19. he has plenty of time to perfect his tackling skills. he already doesn't lack in aggression when he needs to, so i wouldn't at all be worried about his current level of tackling ability. his development to date has been impressive and shows no signs of tailing off. he's a gem.

I wasn't being critical. I thought it was a good effort. Just surmising if he had have taken Gibson down how fantastic that would have been.

At 19 years old Billy does very little wrong. Has exceeded all expectations thus far and is exactly the type of player our list needed. With the development department purring along beautifully Billy could be anything 

On 8/1/2016 at 9:49 PM, titan_uranus said:

He has one of modern football's most important traits - good running skills. He runs all day, he runs to the right spots, and he has pace. He can kick at full burst, too, also important.

Really happy with his development this year. 

Agree, terrifc runner. and not only can he kick well when running he really gives it a roost. His kick to Watts against GC and the one on the weekend to Weed traveled all of 60 metres. A player who can run and carry and then deliver the ball accurately over 50 metres is a critical in our game plan and indeed the way all teams are trying to play therse days

Just hope that his good SA mate, ANB, shows the same development and also becomes an integral part going forward!

Happy 20th birthday Billy Stretch!

Love the way your progressing 

Edited September 8, 20169 yr by Lord Ivanhoe

Fantastic second year. Dropped in form a little bit in the final three weeks, but he wasn't alone there. 

agree, he is progressing very well.  When he came on the scene last year with that frame I thought no games in first year then maybe a handful in year two but he has done very well.  He is so professional with training and preparation and is a great addition to the team

will never be the Star player but will hopefully be very important with some much needed run and spread and tidy skills.

On 8/9/2016 at 8:54 AM, Redleg said:

He has 4 attributes that are in demand, pace, disposal skill, work ethic and a footy brain. 

So what has happened?

Dropped again

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

So what has happened?

Dropped again

Can’t understand it. I thought he was better than Corey Wagner. It seems like he is on the outer.

he really has gone backwards from what we thought he could be in 2016.