WHEN Billy Stretch visited AAMI Park for the first time since officially becoming a listed Melbourne player this week, it was a far cry from when his father first came to the club.

Billy, claimed last Monday via the father/son rule, was in Melbourne from Adelaide with parents Steven and Leona, first and foremost for the celebration of Robert Flower’s life at the MCG on Monday. But it also coincided with his first visit to the club since his AFL future was confirmed.

Steven, of course, was a club champion with the Demons, winning the Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy in 1987 – just his second season with the club, where he played 164 of his 189 VFL/AFL matches.

But when Steven and Leona backed up a rental truck in Adelaide and arrived in Melbourne to start life with the Demons back in the lead-up to the 1986 season, it only reinforced how far the game had come in almost 30 years.

“My first day at the club was when we drove over in a little four tonne truck and we ended up going to Jolimont office and catching up, at that time [with] Cameron Schwab, who was the head recruiting manager,” Steven told Dee TV.

“We just brought over a few personal things and said ‘hello’ to the staff and then we headed on out to Box Hill, where we were renting a unit out there.

“That was officially my first day in Melbourne and we spent about half an hour at the club just familiarising ourselves.”

For Billy, who has just turned 18 years old, he still has plenty to get through before starting pre-season training in a few weeks.

“Everything won’t sink in until I relocate after exams and school,” he said.

“It’s certainly good to get into the club and meet a few people and see a few familiar faces. It’s really exciting and a little bit overwhelming still, but I’m looking forward to relocating and getting stuck into things.”

Steven also remembered another key moment on his first day.

“Robbie [Flower] was one of the first blokes I saw in the coming days after that at the MCG. It’s all changed and it’s very different, but it was a long time ago,” he said.

On Flower, Steven said it was important occasion for him – and Billy – to recognise the significance of the Melbourne great on Monday.

“You don’t forget about people like that very quickly and the impact he had on people’s lives… [he] was universally fantastic,” he said. 

“It was almost like a history lesson for Billy [on Monday] in the Long Room [at the MCG].

“Whilst it was a sad day, for Billy it was an exciting time and that’s all part of the process.”

Steven said it was difficult to say goodbye to a former teammate and friend.   

“It was a very sad day for the supporters and more so for the family and the people that were close to him,” he said.

“I feel very fortunate that we were able to celebrate [Monday] with so many people that knew Robbie – the very close family members and the supporters of the club and it was great to be able to share some really good memories and catch up with a few people.

“We were fortunate enough to know him very early when we moved over [from Adelaide to Melbourne]. We played tennis with him … so it was a great day and a great tribute to one of the club’s legends and it was a day that I’ll remember for a long time.

“More so, I won’t forget the memories that we had with Robbie and the relationship that Leona and I had with [him] and his family.”

Billy said it was a powerful introduction to Melbourne, having attended the farewell for Flower.

“It was just a very [special] day for a very special person. I don’t think he was just a club legend, but I think an even better person as well,” he said.

“He was very special, whilst I didn’t have a heap to do with Robbie, from what I’d heard, it was only great things that Dad shared with me [about Rob].

“He’s been a terrific person for this club and for society as well. He’s not only a club legend, but importantly a great bloke and a special person, who had a significant connection with a lot of different people. It was a special day for me as well.”

On Tuesday, when Steven, wife Leona and Billy entered AAMI Park, it was the start of what will hopefully be another long journey in the red and blue for the Stretch family.

“As parents, the day finally came for us last Monday when they called out his name, so the reality really set in then. As parents, we couldn’t have been happier that we’re back in the Melbourne [Football Club] family, which is great,” Steven said.

For Billy, it was the start of “a dream come true”.

“It’s a little bit overwhelming. It’s very exciting and I still don’t think it’s sunk in.”