STAR BOMBER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT STRINGER’S HOPES FOR OPENER
ESSENDON vice-captain Zach Merrett is confident star forward Jake Stringer will be available for the start of the Bombers’ threeweek litmus test to open the season.
A groin injury grounded Stringer after an otherwise strong pre-season and he is now racing the clock to be fit for Saturday week’s round 1 clash against Geelong at the MCG.
But the 27-year-old, who was short-listed last year for All-Australian honours, has “ticked most of the boxes”, Merrett said.
Essendon’s bid to not only make the finals in consecutive seasons, but finally win one for the first time since 2004, begins against the Cats, Brisbane Lions and Demons.
“It’s no bigger than rounds 2, 3 or 4 but we obviously want to start as well as we can,” Merrett said. “It’s great to play against three of the top four teams from last year in the first month of footy. The build-up to the country game (against Geelong) is awesome but I think the round 1 build-up, in particular, is going to be massive.
“We’re just excited to have fans back and have some real noise at grounds again.”
The club’s finals drought remains a monkey on the Bombers’ backs but Merrett said it was just a “reality” and the constant mentions didn’t annoy him at all.
“Every year we try to win a final and win a flag but we understand that it isn’t that easy,” he said.
Livewire forward Anthony McDonaldTipungwuti is back training after dealing with a calf injury, then taking personal leave, but there is no timeline for his playing return.