WHILE Jake Stringer could still be excused for being caught up in the
whirlwind of becoming the Western Bulldogs’ top draft pick, it is clear the
young lad from Bendigo is a composed character.
Indeed, the Whitten Oval became his desired home last summer when, while
training at the ground as part of the AFL-AIS squad, the forward-midfielder
became friendly with a couple of fresh Bulldog faces.
”My preference was the Bulldogs,” Stringer said on Tuesday, recalling his
thoughts as names were read out during last week’s draft.
”I was lucky to get here. I came here in January as part of the AFL-AIS
Academy. I spent time with [Michael] Talia and [Clay] Smith and those boys. I
had a good relationship with them when I was here for that week, so it’s good to
keep it going.”
SEE: Western Bulldog’s young guns add bite
That desire to join the Bulldogs may have developed because, somewhat oddly,
he had not supported an AFL club growing up, save for a slight affection for
North Melbourne, preferring to focus on basketball.
Still, his willingness to embrace the Bulldogs was shown when it was revealed
he would inherit Lindsay Gilbee’s No. 9 guernsey. Gilbee has retired after a
161-game career and the All-Australian was a popular figure among fans and
teammates.
Young players, intent on forging their own path, do not always appreciate
those who have gone before them. Stringer, clearly, is different.
”I wasn’t expecting to get No. 9. I am still a little bit shocked that I got
it,” he said.
”I just thought I would get a back-end number, but when I rocked in and I
saw my name was on No. 9, I was stunned, I couldn’t believe it. I am absolutely
thrilled I have got that.
”At the same time, there is that little bit of expectation of getting such a
great player of the past’s number, and to live up to that.
”I am hoping he pops down and I will have a chat to him about the history of
his number and what it means to him. It’s something that I am really keen to
do.”
Gilbee would probably recall how the Bulldogs reached three straight
preliminary finals during his time. The Dogs hope the likes of Stringer, taken
with the fifth overall pick, and teammate Jackson Macrae, taken at No. 6, can
eventually go a week better and secure the club an elusive second
premiership.
In the meantime, as Stringer made clear, there is plenty of work to be done.
Much was made of his recovery from a broken leg in the lead-up to the draft, and
his awkward running gait, which may be remodelled by fitness staff.
”Everything is fine, the leg is fine. I have just completed my first
training on Monday – it’s all good,” Stringer said.
At 190 centimetres and 93 kilograms, Stringer already has the physical
maturity to play senior football, as he did in the strong Bendigo League last
season.
The Bulldogs need goalkickers, and Stringer is expected to help in this
regard. He also craves winning the contested ball, which delights his
coaches.
”I am hoping to play a bit of senior footy. I have probably got the bigger
body out of the guys that were drafted,” Stringer said.
”It’s probably a bit more likely for me to step into [senior football].
”Contested ball, that’s something I see as a pretty big strength in my
game.
” I think that’s what the club is building a lot of its young players on –
the contested ball.
”I will do my hard yards this pre-season and we will see where it takes me
at the start of the season.”
