Is a fit and firing Jake Stringer the catalyst to Essendon’s finals contention in 2024? If the early signs are any indication, ‘The Package’ might be mounting a big season.
The fan-favourite goalsneak is a perennial whipping boy for pundits, with his durability constantly in question.
However, the 29-year-old has commenced the new campaign promisingly following an uninterrupted pre-season.
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The main criticism of Stringer has been that he isn’t consistently available, having managed just one 20-game season since donning the sash in 2018.
The 2016 premiership Bulldog underwent foot surgery last September — an ailment that limited him to 17 AFL games last season.
Despite his setbacks of yesteryear, though, Stringer has started 2024 in auspicious fashion, playing in all three Essendon games thus far and asserting his influence on matches.
After booting four goals against the Hawks in Round 1 and three more against the Swans, the veteran forward registered three goals from four scoring shots and 11 disposals on Saturday in a game-winning effort against St Kilda, providing a constant threat offensively in addition to a discernible commitment to the defensive side of the game.
Speaking after the Bombers’ thrilling triumph over the Saints last Saturday, fellow forward Kyle Langford heaped his often-maligned teammate with praise.
“‘Jakey’s had a great start to the season,” Langford told Foxfooty.com.au post-game.
“There’s no denying his talent at all when he’s up and fit. He’s one of the best players in the competition, so the more we just keep getting him out on the park and playing his best footy, the better we are going to be as a forward line.
“He got (some) great reward for effort (against the Saints), and that goal outside 50 from that angle – it’s unbelievable.
“In that pressure, to put us in front, I’m just so happy for him – yeah, it’s great to get a fit ‘Jakey’.”
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Fox Footy analyst David King spoke on SEN’s Whateley on Tuesday about Stringer’s hot start, stating the Bomber’s highs need to be more widely celebrated.
“Jake Stringer … He’s just a wonderful talent, and this is why you pay the big bucks for those guys,” King said.
“Because when the games need to be won, they want to win them for you. They don’t shy away, they want responsibility, and I was rapt for Jake.
“He cops a lot of feedback, so when he delivers, let’s celebrate him a little bit.”
Stringer’s best goalkicking season came in 2015 with the Bulldogs, when he kicked 56 goals — with his 10 goals thus far placing him on pace for a fruitful forage in ‘24.
The Bombers take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Friday night as they search for their third win of the season to stamp their finals candidacy.
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