Stars like Jake Stringer can turn game in the blink of an eye

ADELAIDE Oval was treated to power — star power on Saturday. All the talk before the match was about Bulldogs star Jake Stringer, known as The Package, but he wasn’t sighted much for the first half.

Jake Stringer marks in front of Matthew Broadbent. Picture: Sarah Reed.

ADELAIDE Oval was treated to power — star power on Saturday.

All the talk before the match was about Bulldogs star Jake Stringer, known as The Package, but he wasn’t sighted much for the first half.

Jack Redpath took over the mantle of the club’s leading forward in the early passages as Nathan Krakouer — normally a player the Power wants to find rather than mind — stayed on him like a sticky blanket.

The pair at the other end had conflicting matches. Charlie Dixon was always in it but didn’t have his marking gloves on. Regardless, he kept being in the thick of it, brought it down for the little-men and finally found a goal through sheer resistance.

All-Australian Chad Wingard, in contrast, was as anonymous as a grey-suited man in the CBD.

Then it happened. It was deep into the third quarter when Stringer and Wingard changed the complexion of the match.

Stringer lifted the Bulldogs by finally kicking a goal and looked like he’d jag another one not one minute later. At the other end, Wingard came alive with two goals and the crowd was as loud as the 21 cannon shots celebrating the Queen’s birthday from the army barracks next door.

Others were influential. Matthew Boyd was as reliable as ever for the Dogs while Robbie Gray danced around in a trademark sterling display in the midfield.

The coaches have to worry about a full list and that everybody plays their role. But it is the stars with a bit of X-factor that can change a game with a few quick moves and give sides another dimension.

They’re not always match winners, far from it, but what they add is immeasurable.

Stringer spent much of the last quarter running with Travis Boak in the midfield. His most spectacular work, however brief, was done.

Originally published as Stars like Jake Stringer can turn game in the blink of an eye