Stringer up for Bombers run
A bout of gastro has gone through the Essendon camp this week, temporarily putting several players out of action before their opening pre-season match.
Zach Merrett, Michael Hurley, Orazio Fantasia and Cale Hooker are understood to be among the players who were laid low by the bug.
But assistant coach Paul Corrigan said it had not been a major disruption ahead of today’s match against premiers Richmond in Wangaratta.
High-profile recruits Jake Stringer (pictured), Devon Smith and Adam Saad will all play against the Tigers. Merrett is also in the squad of 30, with four to be cut before the start.
Hurley was already unlikely to play because of the wrist injury he suffered earlier this month at an intraclub hitout.
“It’s not ideal for the preparation, but everyone is back on deck yesterday and today and everyone got through training no worries, so no concerns there,” Corrigan said.
“It knocked around a fair few, actually.”
Stringer is the biggest new name and he has guaranteed even more attention with a new blond hair style but Corrigan said he had fitted in well after his messy exit from the Western Bulldogs.
“One thing that Jake wanted to do was just get that respect from the playing group and he definitely has that with the way he’s trained,” Corrigan said.
The Bombers will play a near full-strength Richmond team, with their squad only missing three members of last year’s premiership team.
“We have a decent side in as well, so we’ll go up there and work on the things we’ve been working (at) through the preseason,” Corrigan said.
“Put in a good show, hopefully, and match up against the best opposition from last year.”