YOUNGSTER Billy Stretch, who was an emergency last round against Fremantle, is making genuine progression in his first AFL-listed season, according to coach Paul Roos.

Stretch came into the 25, when he became an emergency the day before the match, after Cam Pedersen, who was originally an emergency, was called up to replace the injured Chris Dawes (calf).

Roos said Stretch had earned his way into the emergency list, after some good form with Casey.

“We’ve been really happy with the way he’s been playing,” he said on Roos’ Views.

“He’s really complying and he’s a good young kid.

“It’s always a balancing act with the emergencies, because often you actually have to have an emergency who doesn’t play, so that goes into the discussions.

“But in terms of Billy, he’s going along pretty nicely.”