YEP, Saturday night was a frustrating performance.

The Swans stormed away to a 40-point lead at half-time, before Melbourne stemmed the flow and actually won the second half by two points.

Coach Paul Roos was right when he said it felt like a 100-point loss was brewing at the long break, before Melbourne showed some fight. The Demons actually came back from a 59-point deficit in the third quarter to reduce the margin back to five goals in the final term, before a 38-point loss was recorded.

Still, there were some encouraging sub stories from the match.

TAA (Tom All-Australian) continued to take flight. McDonald’s performance on Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin was excellent. He had 25 touches and Franklin had 22, as the superstar Swan was held goalless for the first time since round four last year.

Christian Salem played arguably his best match yet, winning a career-best 24 disposals, in just his 18^th AFL match.

But the feel-good story of the night was unquestionably the debut of Billy Stretch, the son of former Demon star Steven, who was an integral part of the fine Melbourne sides of the late 1980s/early 1990s. He also won Melbourne’s best and fairest in 1987 – its preliminary final year.

Billy might’ve had just seven touches, but it was his intent and his ability to show he had something at the top level early on that impressed. He ran around with energy and offered another glimpse into Melbourne’s future.

After starting on the bench, Stretch immediately laid a good tackle once on the ground. Minutes later, he marked inside 50 and went back and slotted through his first AFL goal with his first kick. 

It was the perfect start to an AFL career and one that Stretch could only dream of.

“It felt pretty surreal out there. It didn’t really feel real,” he told Dee TV.

“I was pretty nervous all day and restless. I spent a lot of nervous energy before I played, but the main thing for me was to come in and try and play my role as best as I can. But it was disappointing not to get the result.

“It was good to get on the scoreboard and there is no better way than with your first kick, so hopefully it got the boys up and about a bit.”

For captain Nathan Jones, Stretch’s goal did get him going.

But for the triple best and fairest winner, it was another pointer to an emerging wave of Demons coming through the ranks and making their impact.

“Our young boys are leading the way and it was great to see Billy get his opportunity. For someone like me, seeing the young guys like Angus Brayshaw, Aaron vandenBerg, Jesse [Hogan] and for Billy to come in as well, it really revitalises the group,” he told Dee TV.

“It was exciting for him to kick his first goal with his first kick and I thought it was good to see the guys get around him.

“He’s got some great habits at the moment, which led to him getting his opportunity. He’s really professional for a young player and he deserved his chance and we really trust what he’s going to bring.”

Although Stretch had earned his moment through hard work and doing all the right things, his moment had been building for several years.

The 18-year-old had been on Melbourne’s radar for quite some time, having shown genuine promise as he rose through the ranks in South Australia.

For Stretch to don the red and blue – the same club as his father did – was a significant moment for his family.

Steven and his wife Leona were in the rooms, continuing their fine support of Billy, travelling from Adelaide to watch the game. Even some ex-Melbourne teammates of Steven’s were there to congratulate Billy in the rooms post-match, including Kevin Dyson and the Febey twins, Steven and Matthew.

Billy said his parents had been a great support to him realising his dream.

“I’ve been very lucky to have a big support network and it was fantastic to have family over [watching] – and a lot of family and friends as well,” he said.

“It was disappointing we didn’t get the win, but it’s still really good to celebrate and enjoy the moment with them as well. I’m really happy to get one out of the way.

“It’s been a fantastic experience and I loved it out there. I didn’t feel too much out of place and hopefully I can keep developing my game and improving my football, and keep banging on the door of the senior side.”

We’re sure he will.