STRETCHING THE FRIENDSHIP

The youngster struggled to hold his spot in the team this year but showed some good signs at VFL level late in the year. The son of former Demon Steven will need a big pre season to enable him to continue as a  developing player in the Melbourne midfield where his dash and cleverness would not go astray.

Date of Birth: 8 September, 1996

Height: 180cm

Weight: 80kg

Games MFC 2017: 9

Career Total: 36

Goals MFC 2017: 3

Career Total: 8

CDFC Games: 13

CDFC Goals: 4

 

Season 2017 AFL Statistics

Kicks: 57

Handballs: 107

Disposals: 164

Marks: 30

Scores: 3 goals 4 behinds

Goal Assists: 2

Tackles: 30

Hitouts: 0

Clearances: 12

Clangers: 12

Inside 50s: 17

Rebound 50s: 6

Frees For: 6

Frees Against: 3

I hope he works hard at developing a bigger engine

Needs to run, run, run.....

2018 is crucial for him. I haven't lost hope because some of his VFL performances were top notch. Consistency is huge, and he needs to find a way to back up strong performances.

I like the kid and am backing him to take a leap forward next season.

Plenty to like about Billy in my opinion. Shame that he couldn't find a consistent spot in the team this year, but I saw plenty in his first two seasons to suggest that he'll be a player.

For what its worth, It's been reported multiple times that he's one of the most professional players at the club. When Clayton Oliver won his AFLCA Best Young Player award, he said that he was told by the coaches to select one player to look up towards, and he picked Billy Stretch. 

A throughly disappointing season; really expected him to go on with it after a super encouraging 2016 and despite our senior player injury setbacks he failed to capitalize on opportunities

His best mate ANB went past him 

He needs to become an elite runner if he's going to make it as a senior player - we need him to move up and down the park like Gaff

Not up to it! Trade

I'm another with plenty of faith in Billy, and like what we saw out of him in the first couple of years. Has been challenged to expand his skill set, with mixed results so far, but hope he makes it.

Big season for him ahead.

Not convinced , happy to be

12 months only

I feel he needs more body strength. Tackled a few times he gave the ball up far too easily.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Not up to it! Trade

Would like to trade you on that basis Picket.

I thought he showed a fair amount in 2016, but he went backwards in a big way this season. I understand the club wanting to make him more defensively minded, and working on his contested game, but all we ended up with was a player who looked totally confused every time he went near the football.

Hopefully we can reset Billy over the off-season and get him back to his best football, because I believe he can be one of the outside runners that we desperately need. Some players just need the game made simple for them, and perhaps Billy is one of those. (As an aside, Goodwin would do well to take note of what Richmond has achieved this year by simplifying their game plan and allowing players to do what they do best.)

After 2016 I thought Stretch ticked all the boxes for outside run, running to position, running to find space, running both ways and smart use of the footy. He just needed to get bigger, stronger and take his running to a new level. My only knock on him was he's not a speed demon, but good enough and that he needed more size. I never doubted his competitive nature nor that he would ever shirk a contest.

He looked to have put on some size and had a good preseason......tickety boo!

But what tf happened? I still cant work it out. For some reason he spent most of the season at Casey as an inside mid. He then gets the odd call-up to the seniors in a different position and looks lost. Back to Casey racking up big tackle and possession numbers.

I thought it was a weird way to develop his game, but hats off if it works I spose. Ultimately I want to see him running the lines sooner rather than later.

On 9/24/2017 at 6:58 PM, Demon Jack said:

Plenty to like about Billy in my opinion. Shame that he couldn't find a consistent spot in the team this year, but I saw plenty in his first two seasons to suggest that he'll be a player.

For what its worth, It's been reported multiple times that he's one of the most professional players at the club. When Clayton Oliver won his AFLCA Best Young Player award, he said that he was told by the coaches to select one player to look up towards, and he picked Billy Stretch. 

Down on form confidence building and now its time to ask Clarry then.

What is his main weapon?

how does he hurt the other team ?

I just see an average player who frightens no one.

Just now, old dee said:

What is his main weapon?

how does he hurt the other team ?

I just see an average player who frightens no one.

Pace and poise. But he needs to improve his timing. I think Stretch is naturally fairly calm, but he does look rushed a lot. I think that is a timing issue. I think it is upstairs (mental). He needs to just relax. Because he has that in him. Do your hard work early and then just calm yourself. I think if he can do that he could be a weapon. We desperately need a good delivery into our forward line and there is no reason that cannot be Billy Stretch. The job is certainly up for grabs. Our disposal into our forward line has been bush level standard (junior bush level standard).

Not up to it. At AFL level has average disposal & drops chest marks. Throw him in as part of the Lever trade.