Alex Neal-Bullen lands dream AFL Draft result by joining Melbourne and great mate Billy Stretch

BEST mates Alex Neal-Bullen and Billy Stretch are yet to play for Melbourne Football Club, but that hasn’t stopped their families already belting out the Demons’ club song.

29.11.2014. Glenelg footballer Alex Neal-Bullen has been drafted to Melbourne - the same club as his best mate Billy Stretch. Photo Sam Wundke.

BEST mates Alex Neal-Bullen and Billy Stretch are yet to play for Melbourne Football Club.

That has not stopped their families from already belting out the Demons’ club song together.

A month after recruiting Stretch as a father-son selection, Melbourne picked Neal-Bullen at No. 40 in the AFL National Draft on Thursday night.

Billy, who is already in Melbourne training with the Demons, called moments after Neal-Bullen was chosen and the 18-year-olds both cried in happiness.

Cannot believe that my best mate @anealbullen has slipped through to the dees at pick 40!!! Cannot believe it!! Brothers reunited!! Unreal 👍

— Billy Stretch (@billyjstretch) November 27, 2014

Hours later, Stretch’s parents — Leona and former Demons wingman Steven — went to the Neal-Bullens’ Somerton Park home to celebrate with them.

“The Stretch family strolled up the side of the house, scarfs on, singing the song,” Neal-Bullen says.

“The Neal-Bullens joined in (singing) for sure.

“It was nice welcoming me.

“The Stretchs have given me a Melbourne scarf already so I feel part of the tribe.

“We’re a real tight-knit family and so are the Stretchs so to spend it with them and other friends has been unreal.”

Neal-Bullen and Stretch first crossed paths as former state junior athletes.

Stretch later played for Woodville-West Torrens’ under-13s against Neal-Bullen.

“I lined up on the wing and I was like ‘I reckon I know that kid’,” Neal-Bullen says.

They have been mates since Stretch joined Neal-Bullen at Glenelg the following year.

“We definitely get the best out of ourselves, whether that’s in the backyard or playing table tennis or on the footy field,” Neal-Bullen says.

“We want to be the best so we try to beat each other and I’m sure that’ll show in the next few years over in Melbourne.”

Absolutley over the moon with the result of becoming a Dees player, especially with my great mate @billyjstretch #myheartbeatstrue

— Alex Neal-Bullen (@anealbullen) November 27, 2014

Neal-Bullen, a hard-nosed midfielder, and Stretch, a wingman like his dad, both played nine league games for the Tigers this year and lined up together for SA at the midyear national under-18 championships.

“I feel honoured and privileged to officially be an AFL player and especially at the Melbourne Football Club, to be able to reunite with my best mate Stretchy,” Neal-Bullen says.

“We’ve been through a lot and I cannot wait to get started with him.

“I’m keen to see what lies ahead and am prepared to do the hard work.

“To be able to hopefully line up again with him one day in a Melbourne guernsey would be a dream come true.”

Originally published as Alex Neal-Bullen lands dream AFL Draft result by joining Melbourne and great mate Billy Stretch