FATHER/son recruit Billy Stretch says it’s “a great honour” to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Demons.
Billy, the son of Steven Stretch, who won the 1987 club best and fairest, donned the Melbourne colours, when he had a look around the club for the first time since officially becoming a Demon on October 6.
The recently turned 18-year-old from South Australia said he couldn’t wait to start his AFL journey.
“It’s really good to get to the club and meet a few faces and have a look around. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and it’s a great feeling,” he told Dee TV.
“It’s been very overwhelming; I’m excited about what’s to come and I think the club’s in really good hands and I’m looking forward to the opportunity that’s been given to me, so it’s great.
“It’s not too often you get to end up at the club you barracked for – for years. I’m certainly very privileged to represent the Melbourne footy club and to be given an opportunity by the club – it’s something I’m very proud of.
“I can’t wait and I want to grab the opportunity with both hands and look forward to moving forward and putting on a bit of weight in the pre-season. I’m lightly framed, but that’s the main goal – putting on some weight in the gym and being able to match it with some of the bodies in the AFL.”
Stretch said it had been a “big year”, having been involved in the AIS program, representing South Australian in the NAB AFL under 18 championships (he was later named All-Australian), playing senior SANFL matches for Glenelg and participating in school football.
The running midfielder will now head back to Adelaide and finish his year 12 studies, before relocating to Melbourne to start his career in November.
“It’s been great; it’s been a real learning curve for me,” he said.
“The main thing for me was to try and enjoy my footy and keep that enjoyment factor. I was just trying to play some consistent football and work on parts of my game that needed work.
“It’s good to finally land at the club and I just can’t wait to start.”
