John Worsfold confident Essendon can cover loss of Jake Stringer
They’re now without their leading goalscorer of the past two years, so what’s Essendon coach John Worsfold’s plan without Jake Stringer?
Essendon coach John Worsfold is confident the Bombers can produce enough firepower without their leading goalscorer, but has not ruled out moving the chess pieces to cover the loss of Jake Stringer.
Star forward Stringer is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on the syndesmosis injury he suffered against Collingwood last week.
The injury leaves the Bombers without their leading goalkicker of the past two seasons in a forward line still without key forward Joe Daniher.
Stringer had kicked 10 goals this season to be sitting equal second in the league goal kicking.
Worsfold was backing the Bombers, who will face North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, to be able to cover Stringer’s absence.
The Bombers coach confirmed forward James Stewart was not available for selection as he continued to build up his fitness after his time in quarantine.
But Worsfold flagged the potential to swing defenders Cale Hooker or Aaron Francis, who is expected to return after missing last week’s match with back spasms, into attack.
“We will consider those things,” Worsfold said. “We have had some preliminary discussions around that. We’ve talked through all the different options that we’ve got and Francis is not an option until he gets through full training (today) and once we know that we are better armed with making those decisions.
“But suffice we have explored all possibilities in the preliminary stages of thinking about the team and we’ll finalise that this evening.
“Absolutely we believe that we are going to field a team that is good enough to win games.”
Worsfold said Daniher continued to progress well with his training, but could not provide a clear picture on when he was likely to return.
“He is enjoying his training program at the moment and coming along well,” Worsfold said.
“He’s following a program, which means each time he stretches himself further whether that’s in total volume or change of direction with a number of sprints and things like that.
“It’s mapped out in a lot of detail and we just keep following that and if we get to a point where he doesn’t pull up well, we just take half a step back and keep progressing that way.
“But at the moment we are really pleased with the way everything is tracking.”
The Bombers are based in a hub on the Gold Coast.
Worsfold said the squad had settled in well, but he had not broached the prospect of the team having to spend the rest of the season on the road if needed.
“I personally find it a waste of time to start thinking about things that may or may not happen,” he said.
“We know what we are doing this Saturday night, we know what we are doing the following Friday night and that’s what we are prepping for and then we deal with anything after that as it comes.”
More Coverage
Star to face MRO scrutiny as Saints reignite finals push
The Saints have jumped back inside the top eight on the AFLW ladder with a win over GWS, but a gun ball-winner is set to go under the MRO’s microscope.
Browne to step down as Pies prez as replacement sounded out
Collingwood president Jeff Browne will depart the club at the end of the year, with the club already sounding out its replacement. GLENN MCFARLANE has the details.