Crossword Genius

Stretch out punishment to overcome resistance (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crane

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'stretch out' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'punishment to overcome resistance' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'resistance' could be 'r' (abbreviation) and 'r' is located in the answer.
'punishment' could be 'cane' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'cane' is found in the remaining letters.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for crane that I've seen before include "Tall wading bird can lift heavy loads" , "Long-necked wading bird and lifting machine" , "Device for picking up" , "Stretch out (one's neck)" , "Bird; hoister" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Independent.
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