Farewell to Jay Kennedy-Harris & Billy Stretch

[Demonland 73,165]

 

[Docs Demons 1,792]

Hope they get another chance some where but they really were only depth for us and not that good at that. This aside wishing both the best for future.

[Redleg 41,492]

21 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

Hope the boys get a chance elsewhere.

Thanks for your contribution and good luck in the future.

[Demon3 2,541]

I like all the players (even the ones that really frustrate me...) and i feel for them when there time ends, but the facts are they both had chances to make it, especially JKH and they have both shown they are excellent VFL players but offer little in the AFL.  

[old dee 23,872]

I believe they both gave it all they had. Sadly they where both just short of being senior level players.

[Sorry kids 635]

Good luck to both of these guys. Did their best for the Club. Just lacking a bit of X factor.  Might have given JKH one more year under Jettas guidance down back.

[TGR 1,367]

Two players that rarely showed anything at AFL level.  JKH just didn't have zip for his size, and billy seemed to have a bit of headless chook about him.

Frosty attracted criticism for turnover, but these guys could rarely hit targets either.

These guys were only ever going to be role players at best.  Richmond have shown that if you are going to be a role player you need to average B+.  You need to fast (A or B Grade) and tough/strong defensively (A or B grade).    JKH was probably a C grade all-rounder; whereas Stretch was only B+ with his speed.

How professional clubs can hang on to players past their clear used-by date is beyond me.  I hope GC picks them up and gives them a contract, but objectively, they aint and never were AFL level.

[stinga 586]

So with just 35 on our list and 2 selections, how do we get the senior list to 40

[Dee Watcher 71]

JKH wasn't quite good enough for AFL level at this stage however is a top liner at the VFL level, perhaps a new club will see him make the jump to AFL level consistently.

Stretch is a tough one as he did provide good run and thought with an injury free run could have cracked the 22 on a consistent basis as he had a skill set and quickness that we generally lacked however i guess someone has to make room for the draftees and new recruits.

Best of luck gents and hopefully both can make it onto another list.

 

[Sir Why You Little 37,149]

JKH was a bit stiff getting that last injury, he was just starting to become damaging. But i thought that would be it, when it happened. 
Billy was never up to it whenever i saw him play, which was suprising as everybody raved about his training discipline. 
Tough game AFL, there are a few on our list very lucky to still be there...

[Moonshadow 17,677]

3 minutes ago, stinga said:

So with just 35 on our list and 2 selections, how do we get the senior list to 40

3 selections in the draft.

97 will come down to something like 50 or 60 once bids have been matched and others pass on picks.

Might be rookie upgrades, e.g. Lockard, Dunkley

Might be DFAs, e.g. Murray.

Might be PSD picks, e.g. Martin, Gray, Casboult, Christensen, Newnes (as examples only)

Not sure we have a to have 40. Can't clubs run short with a view to selecting in mid season draft? Or is that for rookies only?

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

Is this an attempt to scrape the bottom of the barrel for salary cap space? Granted they wouldn’t have been on much but should at least give us about 200-250K?

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I'll never forget the three final quarter goals that JKH kicked against the Tigers in a NAB Cup game in 2014.  First time I'd been excited at a Melbourne game for a few years and you could feel the change in attitude amongst supporters that night.  No doubt having Paul Roos in the box helped but it was great to watch.

I had high hopes for Stretch as well but, in the end, both of these guys just couldn't translate some of their VFL form into AFL form.  

Thanks for the contribution to the club fellas.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Here are those three goals.  Still love watching the third goal on the run!

 

[Demon3 2,541]

Realistically, out of our delistings and trades only one player was really best 22 and that is because of circumstance in Frost. So we clear out: Lewis, Maynard, Garlett, Stretch, JKH, Keilty, Smith, Walker &Frost and we Bring in 2 best 22 players in Tomlinson & Langdon, add that 2 top 10 picks and possibly a DFA then our list has improved significantly.

[drysdale demon 4,837]

18 minutes ago, CYB said:

Is this an attempt to scrape the bottom of the barrel for salary cap space? Granted they wouldn’t have been on much but should at least give us about 200-250K?

No.

[Demon Jack 6,930]

Shattered for both players. The delisting process is always one of the toughest times of the year. Both definitely deserve another chance somewhere, even under a rookie contract.

Loved watching JKH's three goals against the Tigers as posted above!

On that topic, here's a couple of iconic Billy moments, including his first kick/first goal against the Swans on debut and his brilliant running goal from our win against Hawthorn in 2016.

 

 

[Deeoldfart 8,066]

From what I've heard, both boys were always 110% professional in the way they applied themselves, both on and off the field.  From what I've observed, they were both just a few % off being consistent best 22 players at the top level.  Both gave their all and you can't ask more than that!  They can hold their heads high as they leave the Club and move on to new pastures.

Now the MFC needs to nail the picks for players who will replace them on our list. 

 

[Dr.D 1,771]

no idea why stretch was even drafted. I literally knew the first time I saw him play that he was never going to make it. his ball drop is disgusting.  I wish the club didnt persist with guys when its clear as day. 

[Sir Why You Little 37,149]

6 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

no idea why stretch was even drafted. I literally knew the first time I saw him play that he was never going to make it. his ball drop is disgusting.  I wish the club didnt persist with guys when its clear as day. 

Yes i must agree. We have to become better at assessing players ability, regardless of how professional they are. 
5-6 years is too long in todays game. 
the Pre Season and Mid Season Drafts will happen soon

[buck_nekkid 6,046]

I suppose that both of these players had the opportunity to ‘own’ a wing, or even be a hff.  Unfortunately, looking at the list, they are now both a long way back.  If we work on the principle that 80% of our players should be fit (rather than 50%) then these guys would simply not get a look in to the AFL squad with the addition of two specific wingers and we have the biggest bunch of half forward flankers going around. 

Thanks for your service, gentlemen, and good luck with what comes your way.

[buck_nekkid 6,046]

14 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

no idea why stretch was even drafted. I literally knew the first time I saw him play that he was never going to make it. his ball drop is disgusting.  I wish the club didnt persist with guys when its clear as day. 

Romance.  FS, FFS.  Not sure he cost us much in terms of pick though?  He was apparently a great and professional clubman, and ‘nearly’ made it into a role player, just never quite got over the line.

[Melb-A-Toast 257]

When Stretch first played for Melbourne he was highly skillful, fit but not strong enough - there were a few times that he attempted to tackle and the opposing player easily shrugged off Stretch's endeavours. 

In the last 2 seasons he was certainly stronger, his kicking accuracy was still high, but the emerging issue that I saw was his prevalence to miss opportunities to take the game on. There were too many times when the team were pushing to get the fast movement, only to have Stretch get the ball and take too long for the next disposal - allowing the opposition to get the defence set up.  His kicking became ineffective and safe, which probably assisted his high accuracy. 

I hope he gets another opportunity though he would need a way to overcome his slow execution/decision-making. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,942]

A little bit of extra pocket money put aside for Jack Martin?

(otherwise maybe 1 of the 2 survived)

[Wiseblood 24,637]

51 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

no idea why stretch was even drafted. I literally knew the first time I saw him play that he was never going to make it. his ball drop is disgusting.  I wish the club didnt persist with guys when its clear as day. 

He played more AFL games than you big boy.