Essendon’s Jake Stringer ‘exploring Islamic faith’, shares new goal celebration

Jake Stringer is exploring Islamic faith.

Essendon forward Jake Stringer has opened up on his new exploration of religious faith as he enjoys a hot start to the AFL season.

Essendon star Jake Stringer has opened up on his exploration of Islam faith after another matchwinning performance on Friday night.

Stringer kicked two goals in Essendon’s dominant 29-point win over the Western Bulldogs to continue his strong start to the season.

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Speaking to Seven’s Mitch Cleary post-game, Stringer shared he had begun exploring Islam, attending mosques in Melbourne, weekly prayer readings and even fasting at stages during Ramadan.

Cleary said: “Jake Stringer’s hot form is coinciding with his exploration of Islamic faith.”

“Just like everything, once you start, you’re open to different avenues,” Stringer told Seven.

“That’s what I’m doing at the minute. It’s just something I’m interested in. I go to Daurah most weeks and I really enjoy it.

“(I’ve learned) just that there’s more to life than day to day life, which is good.

“I’m healthy, going well and enjoying my time on field and off field, which is the most important part.”

Jake Stringer is exploring Islam. Photo: Instagram@essendonfc

Stringer was pictured celebrating Essendon’s Round 1 win over Hawthorn with a misbahah prayer bead bracelet.

The 29-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of this season, has also adopted a new goal celebration where be brings a finger to his lips and looks to the heavens.

Asked whether the goal celebration was linked to his new-found faith, Stringer said: “Yeah it is. It’s more just about the brotherhood.

“I ran with it the first week and I’ve just stuck with it since. That’s literally it and I’ll probably stick with it for the rest of the year.”

Jake Stringer’s new goal celebration. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Stringer is in career best form. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“I speak highly enough of his effort to get his off field life right,” Essendon coach brad Scott said after the win over the Bulldogs.

“That’s enabled him to clear the decks and be able to go to work.”

The Bombers currently sit ninth on the ladder as they aim to make finals for the first time since 2021 and win a finals game for the first time since 2004 — a drought now stretching beyond 7000 days.

While Essendon were impressive, all the talk centred around Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge’s decisions to make All Australian defender Bailey Dale the substitute.

Beveridge also surprised many when highly touted rookie midfielder Ryley Sanders was benched early in the second half despite Beveridge describing him in pre-season as the best first-year talent he had seen.