JAKE FIRES DONS’ MIDS
ESSENDON is working to mould Jake Stringer into a more permanent midfielder while Cale Hooker looks set to find himself in the forward line again this year.
With 42 days remaining until the club’s first pre-season match, the Bombers trained this week and Stringer again caught the eye at Tullamarine yesterday.
The former Western Bulldogs forward, who took part in the first part of the session, has impressed teammates in his first few months at the club.
“He’s done the majority of his pre-season with the midfield group which has been great,” Bombers defender Michael Hurley said.
“He’s really explosive and his power around the ball and his strength and just his size will help us. Some of our midfielders are on the smaller side so that big body in there will be great.
“Before Christmas I didn’t get to see a whole lot of them (the recruits) because I was over on the far oval running laps but even Jake this morning was explosive and Devon Smith is going to add a heap and for me personally playing alongside Saady (Adam Saad) is going to be real exciting, just give him the ball and let him run.”
Hurley, who has had hip and wrist surgery, returned to full training this week.
“The hand’s going well and the hip’s going well so hopefully I can maintain some training for the next month or so,” he said.
There have been suggestions Hooker will spend more time in defence after being pushed forward for large periods last season, but Hurley said he was not counting on having the big man’s support.
“I’d love to. He’s obviously a star down back but I think the plan is for him to stay down forward and continue to work with Joey (Daniher) and the other guys,” Hurley said.
Essendon tackles Richmond in the first week of the JLT Community Series in Wangaratta on February 24.