The full Package: AFL star turns back the clock for Bombers

Jake Stringer played one of the best games of his career for Essendon in the Bombers’ hard-fought win over Hawthorn on Sunday.

Jake Stringer was on fire for Essendon in their win over Hawthorn on Sunday. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

Jake Stringer has played an absolute blinder to get Essendon over the line against Hawthorn in Launceston on Sunday afternoon.

The mercurial forward was by far the best player on the ground — kicking four goals and racking up 29 disposals and seven tackles in the Bombers’ 13.8 (86) to 10.13 (73) win against the Hawks.

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The 13-point victory sees Essendon leapfrog GWS into ninth spot on the AFL ladder and keeps their finals hopes alive.

Stringer’s fourth goal at the start of the final term, where he pushed off a defender and dropped the ball onto his boot with one hand — was reminiscent of Richmond star Dustin Martin’s signature fend-off.

Sometimes one hand is all you need ✋

Just ask Jake Stringer 🤯#AFLHawksDonspic.twitter.com/iZLm1yAbOi

— AFL (@AFL) June 20, 2021

Commentators were blown away with Stringer’s explosive impact on the game.

“This is a commanding performance,” St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt told Fox Footy.

“There is a bit of Dusty Martin about it from the grand final last year.”

“He is putting on a performance, this could be a circus the way he’s going today,” Fox Footy commentator Eddie McGuire said.

“We knew it was going to be a hard slog down here,” Stringer said after the game.

“We knew it was going to be a close one, the way boys grounded that one out was a terrific effort.”

Jake Stringer take a bloody enormous bow! What an individual effort that was! #AFLHawksDons

— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) June 20, 2021

This is one of the all time games by Jake Stringer.

Getting it done in the clinches and attack#AFLHawksDons

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) June 20, 2021

What an unbelivable game Jake Stringer is having #AFLHawksDons

— Jarni Blakkarly (@JarniBlakkarly) June 20, 2021

Jake Stringer has saved the Bombers today. He stood up when so many didn't.
BOG for him.

— Higgo (@Higgo74) June 20, 2021

Stringer has struggled for consistency during his four years in the red and black, but he more than lived up to his nickname “The Package” against Hawthorn on Sunday.

He also played a key role in Essendon’s upset win over West Coast a couple of weeks ago and Stringer was happy to have strung together a few high-quality games in a row.

“I had a really good pre-season and I’ve just been unlucky with little injuries that have popped up here and there,” he said after the win against Hawthorn.

Essendon’s Jake Stringer was up and about against the Hawks. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

“I’m really confident with where I’m at right now. A little bit of form is gold. Hopefully it’s just the start.”

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and viewers urged the Bombers to lock down Stringer’s signature soon.

Pay Jake Stringer whatever he wants.

— Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) June 20, 2021

Ben Rutten to Adrian Dodoro in his contract talks over Jake Stringer’s deal pic.twitter.com/8iCbdctBLF

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 20, 2021

Star Bombers midfielder Zach Merrett signed a massive six-year extension with the club this week, following much speculation about his future.

Stringer said it was fantastic that Merrett has decided to stick with the Bombers for the long-term.

“It’s terrific that Zachy stayed,” he said.

“He’s probably going to be captain in the next few years.”

“All the young boys, all the draftees that come in, they’ve been awesome. So I’m just loving my time down there.”

Originally published as The full Package: AFL star turns back the clock for Bombers