Stringer stars for Bombers
ESSENDON coach John Worsfold says the Bombers will keep “exploring” what positions suit Cale Hooker and Jake Stringer the best.
Worsfold spun the magnets yesterday, deploying All Australians Hooker and Stringer at opposite ends of Etihad Stadium with great effect.
With Hooker holding Port Adelaide spearhead Charlie Dixon at bay, it allowed Michael Hurley to be the chief interceptor while Stringer booted a game-high four goals.
“We’ll keep exploring,” Worsfold said.
“They had a taller forward line today so that played into helping us get ‘Hookesy’ back for this one. Iit’s something that we’ll keep measuring, what’s our best line-up to become a great team?
“I’ve talked several times this year that we’re learning about this group, the abilities of it, and where it is going to fit, how it’s best going to function as a group.”
Worsfold praised Stringer’s influence in attack despite missing the former Western Bulldogs’ goalof-the-year contender deep in the last quarter.
Under immense pressure Stringer charged towards the boundary line, beneath Essendon’s coaches’ box, and snapped across the body at speed.
His celebration, which included a double high-five for one lucky Essendon fan sitting in the front row, brought back memories of James Hird famously hugging a fan.
“I just saw the ball come out (of blind spot) in the air, and go through,” Worsfold said.
“I assumed it was Jake that had done it but I didn’t really get the real feel of how it unfolded.
“But from where it was, the fact that I can’t see it, it means they were pretty tight on the boundary line and it was obviously a great kick.”
Worsfold demanded a response from his players after being obliterated by Western Bulldogs last week, especially in uncontested possessions. The Bombers broke even at the contest (144-142) yesterday but won the marks (9669) after allowing a record 152 marks against the rampant Bulldogs last week.
“We talked about the fact it was disappointing (last week) so our aim was to understand what we expect from each other and show it,” Worsfold said.
“Regardless of the result tonight the aim was to play the way we’ve talked about and the way we wanted to show.
“We can’t go back to last week and worry about why it didn’t happen, but we learned a lot tonight.”
The Bombers head towards their traditional Anzac Day showdown against Collingwood with largely a clean bill of health.
Late withdrawal Mitch Brown (calf) has 10 days to overcome a minor complaint.
A listless Port Adelaide, having averaged 100 points per game across the first three rounds, was held to 84 points, including 31 at halftime. The difference. Shoddy ball movement by the visitors helped the Bombers’ cause, but to their credit, they were good enough to take their chances.
The Bomber smalls feasted on pressure acts and in turn booted valuable goals, while Stewart and Joe Daniher provided an aerial presence.
Port Adelaide strangely allowed Essendon ace Zach Merrett to accumulate possessions, while highprofile recruit Tom Rockliff looked a mile off the pace, sporting heavy strapping on his left calf.
Robbie Gray issued some resistance for the visitors but the slick goalkicking midfielder was given little room in and around stoppage to create.
Bar a surge, when the damage was done, the previously undefeated Power looked pedestrian, unable to combat – nor contain – Essendon in a game billed as a battle of speed versus grunt.
The Bombers brought both, whereas the Power could only muster trademark grunt in spurts.