Essendon star Michael Hurley injured as recruit Jake Stringer lights up Bombers’ intra-club
JAKE Stringer’s midfield move looks the real deal and he was just one of several Bombers to turn heads at the club’s intraclub hitout. But a popular defender is under an injury cloud.
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A WRIST injury to All-Australian defender Michael Hurley overshadowed strong first-up performances from Essendon’s much-touted trade trio Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad in the club’s intra-club match.
But Hurley remains confident his left wrist — on which he had preseason surgery — is only bruised and not broken, and won’t keep him out of action for long.
SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP THE BOMBERS’ INTRA-CLUB:
The 27-year-old backman copped a kick to the wrist in the second quarter of the match at Tullamarine and failed to return as a precaution.
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“The wrist is not too bad,” Hurley said after the match. “I’ve broken bones in my hand before and I wouldn’t have thought it was that. I’ll ice it up this week.”
Could be bad news for @EssendonFC with Michael Hurley coming off with a hand/wrist injury. Didn't look great. Hopefully an update soon. pic.twitter.com/rtJDJASzag
— Glenn McFarlane (@MaccaHeraldSun) February 9, 2018
It was the only hint of misfortune for Essendon fans who turned out for the match, with former Bulldog Stringer one of the standout performers.
He kicked two superb goals — one a towering punt from outside 50m; the other a deft left-foot snap — and moved efficiently through a 50/50 split between the middle and down forward.
His clearance work through the midfield showed precisely why the Bombers are keen to use him in that manner throughout the season.
Newly reappointed skipper Dyson Heppell was impressed by Stringer’s first hit-out in red and black, saying the 23-year-old’s midfield move could even assist him in playing in different roles.
“Obviously Jakey Stringer and Devon Smith were very impressive, and you saw ‘Saady’s speed off half back as well,” Heppell said.
“Jake’s key goal has been to work on his fitness throughout this preseason and he has made some great inroads. He still has a way to go, but Jake knows that.
“He certainly adds a different element around our midfield.
“(It is) super important for me. It will make my role a fair bit easier and might allow me to play a variety of roles, through halfback, the wing and half forward.”
Saad settled into halfback with ease, and despite copping a knock early in the game, responded well with numerous rebounding possessions and bounces in the wet conditions. He combined superbly at times with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
Smith started in a midfield that boasted the likes of Heppell, Darcy Parish, Zach Merrett and last year’s Rising Star defender Andrew McGrath. The former Giant kicked a nice goal early and had an impact on the game.
Orazio Fantasia, who was named in the seven-man leadership group for the first time, kicked the opening two goals of the game. He looks ready to add to his already impressive 2017 season, and could spent more time through the midfield at stages.
Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford and Conor McKenna were also strong contributors.
Joe Daniher almost took another mark of the year. He booted one goal, while fellow forward Cale Hooker could have kicked a number of goals, but sprayed several chances. His former teammate Adam Cooney joked that it was the “Tullamarine breeze” that caused the errant shots at goal.
Heppell said he had enjoyed this preseason more than any other in his time at the club and was confident the club had improved.
“There is quite a lot of noise preseason and our fans are super in their support, but internally we have our own expectations,” he said. “We are continuing to look to improve and build on last year’s performance. Playing finals is the goal and we will be pushing towards that.”
SUPERCOACH WATCH — Glenn McFarlane
JAKE STRINGER
Yes, it’s a risk, but given how he went in the first intra-club, it’s going to hard to not pick him in your SuperCoach team. Spent about a 50/50 ratio through the midfield/forward lines and kicked two fine goals. His clearance work and strength looked impressive.
ANTHONY McDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI
‘Walla’ looks fit and ready for another big season. He turned in a strong performance in the forward line, with his tackling and speed a highlight. His defensive pressure will count heavily.
ANDREW McGRATH
Pencil the Rising Star defender to move seamlessly into the midfield this season, which will result in higher scores in 2018. He showed plenty in the intra-club, driving the ball out of the middle on a number of occasions. Can only keep building on that.
ADAM SAAD
The cut and run of Saad from halfback will not only boost the Bombers’ defensive options, but make him an enticing SuperCoach prospect.
BELOW — HOW SCRATCH MATCH UNFOLDED
QUARTER 1 — ALL EYES ON KEY RECRUITS
New recruits Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad all start in the ‘green team’.
Football chief Dan Richardson says the green and red teams are evenly matched but it’s all green early before the red side settled.
Stringer drove the ball inside 50 on a couple of occasions, and had (missed) shot on goal from 40m out after finding space and marking.
Conor McKenna started really well off half back, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti’s trademark forward pressure was on display with a couple of big tackles.
Coach John Worsfold was on the field, walking up and down the wings and giving feedback to players.
And on the coach, Bombers footy boss Dan Richardson said things were inching closer to the coach inking a new deal.
“All I would say is I’ve been so impressed with Woosha as a coach ... I certainly have no hesitation in saying he's the right man to take the club forward,” he said.
“It’ll sort itself out in due course.”
QUARTER 2 — HURLEY INJURY SCARE
Michael Hurley has thrown a scare into the Essendon camp after appearing to suffer a hand injury.
The star Bomber, who underwent wrist surgery during the preseason, had started well in the game before suffering the injury in the second term.
“Let’s hope it’s just a bit of a knock,” Bombers recruiting boss Adrian Dodoro said on the club’s website.
The injury overshadowed a strong first half display from the Bombers’ trade trio Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad.
Stringer spent a combination of his time alternating through the middle and half forward, bursting clear of packs on occasions. He thrilled the crowd with a booming 60m goal during the second term that went through post high.
Saad was impressive off half back, combining well with Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti at times, who was also a string early performer.
Devon Smith was a good continues through the middle and kicked a nice goal.
SECOND-TERM HIGHLIGHTS:
— Devon Smith boots a nice goal — his ‘first’ in Bombers colours. He gives a little celebration, too. “Nice goal, Dev, but maybe just save that for the real stuff,” Adam Cooney said.
— Jake Stringer bangs a long goal from outside 50.
— Joe Daniher leapt high into the sky in a bid to pull in pre-season mark of the year. But he couldn't hold it.
THIRD QUARTER — STRINGER ONE OF THE BEST
After rain started to drizzle in the second term it was a slippery ball in the third term, but there was still plenty to like for Bomber fans.
Adam Saad’s ability to mop-up and provide run from the back half was on display as the ‘green team’ — featuring most of the big names — enjoyed a bulk of play.
Stringer continued on from his good first half as he roamed between the midfield and attack.
“It’s been a really impressive hitout from Jake Stringer,” Adam Cooney said on eesendonfc.com.au. “He’s been one of the best on the ground.”
Some other highlights included:
— Kyle Langford’s nice lead and mark before converting from 25m out. He’s wearing Jobe Watson’s old no.4 jumper.
— Conor McKenna collected Zach Merrett high. There was no real angst from the star midfielder who received a 50m penalty.
— Moments after blazing away from the 50m — and copping a few words of advice from teammate David Zaharakis — Stringer roves from a boundary throw-in and snaps truly on the left boot.
Former great Dustin Fletcher revealed Stringer was one player who he wasn't keen to play on late in his career, given his strength and ability to boot a goal.
FINAL QUARTER
As the sting went out of the contest, most of the big-name Bombers in action got their hands on the footy.
Some of the highlights included:
— Josh Green was lively and booted what was the goal of the day midway through the final term, curling one through from close to the boundary.
— Darcy Parish enjoyed some nice clearances, with former teammate Adam Cooney declaring he was set for a big career and could form a centre-square combination with Stringer and Andrew McGrath.
— Orazio Fantasia’s cleanliness with ball in hand was also a feature.
FANTASIA JOINS LEADERSHIP GROUP
EXCITING Essendon youngster Orazio Fantasia has been rewarded for outstanding 2017 with elevation to the club’s leadership group for this season.
The Bombers this morning announced Fantasia, 22, and veteran David Myers, 28, had joined the Bombers’ on-field leadership core for 2018.
The pair have replaced the retired Jobe Watson, and Brendon Goddard in the 2018 group. Goddard was voted into the leadership group this year but chose to allow another player to have the experience.
Dyson Heppell will captain the team for the second straight year, while the status quo will also continue with vice-captains Cale Hooker and Zach Merrett keeping their roles.
Joe Daniher and Michael Hurley have also been retained in the leadership group.
Fantasia kicked 39 goals from his 20 games, and finished eighth in the Bombers’ best-and-fairest after a highly consistent season.
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