Scott lauds Stringer ‘headspace’
Essendon coach Brad Scott has praised Jake Stringer for finding balance off the field and improving his fitness as he leads the Bombers’ promising start to the season.
Stringer has put an indifferent 2023 behind him to lead Essendon’s goalkicking with 13 majors in five games, including 2.1 in the 29-point dismantling of the Western Bulldogs last week.
The 29-year-old revealed in a Channel 7 post-game interview that he was exploring Islamic faith.
Scott said the religious and family lives of his players were off limits to him, but Stringer deserved credit for getting in the “right headspace” to rediscover his best football.
Out of contract at the end of the season, the powerfully built forward has battled injuries and poor conditioning the past two seasons.
“Jake and I talk all the time, but there are boundaries for where my role begins and ends, and my role is primarily one of support,” Scott said when asked about Stringer’s revelations about his faith.
“When you’re dealing with players, whether it’s their religious beliefs, their family time, I don’t get involved in that space, it’s not an area I delve into. Jake has been quite open with some of the challenges he’s faced in the past. It’s very hard to get physically right when you’re not in the right headspace to do it.
“That was our priority. Jake’s got that right and you can see the physical condition he’s in, so great credit to the work he’s done.”
With Stringer and Kyle Langford providing strong targets, young forward Harry Jones looms as the one to make way for Peter Wright when his ban lifts ahead of Anzac Day, but Scott said he hoped to be put into “a really difficult position” at selection.
He said Jones was reaping the rewards of a strong preseason but would not be “gifted” games if his form did not justify selection.
“Jonesy had his opportunity, and he’s taken it. That’s a great credit to him, and it’s a lesson to everyone,” he said.
“There are no guarantees for anyone, our captain sets the example there. You play each game like it’s your last, you don’t get games gifted.”