SON OF A GUN: Former Melbourne and West Torrens player Steven Stretch with his son, emerging Glenelg player, Billy Source: adelaidenow
GLENGOWRIE'S Billy Stretch has impressed in college and club ranks in recent seasons - and looms as a possible father/son selection for Melbourne next year.
The 16-year-old utility - whose dad is former Demons and West Torrens wingman Steven Stretch - made his debut for Glenelg's reserves on Saturday, April 27.
It followed his promotion from the under-18s on the back of a six-goal, 34-possession game against Central District the previous week.
Last year he made his debut for Immanuel College's First XVIII as a Year 10 and was a member of the SA squad for the national under-16 championships.
A Melbourne spokesman confirmed Billy had met Demons officials and spent a week at the club last year.
Billy will be eligible for next year's AFL National Draft and, under the father/son rule, can go to Melbourne where Steven played 164 games between 1986-93.
The rule means that if Billy decides he wants to play at Melbourne and the Demons want to recruit him, they must match any club's bid with their next highest pick. Joining the Demons would be the realisation of a dream for Melbourne-born Billy.
He has supported the club since soon after he was born and regularly attended home games at the MCG as a toddler in the late 1990s.
"Dad has always kept involved with Melbourne and that influenced me and who I supported," Billy said.
"Every now and then we'd chuck some of dad's highlights videos on and see a lot of old players like Jim Stynes, Robbie Flower and Garry Lyon running around.
"(Playing for Melbourne) has always been my dream.
"But my focus at this stage is to try to play my best footy at Glenelg and with school footy and to take things step by step."
The Stretchs returned to Adelaide in 2003, leading Billy to join the junior ranks at Henley Sharks and Woodville-West Torrens.
Four years ago he switched to Glenelg to play with mates.
Steven said Billy always had a football in his hand when he was growing up.
"The last two or three years he's developed really well and realised he could get to where he wants to go," Steven said.
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