If you were asked to describe Jake Stringer in a single word, ‘mercurial’ might be the first that comes to mind.
The 30-year-old is set to line up for the 200th game of his AFL career on Saturday night, adding another layer to the big Dreamtime at the ‘G clash between Essendon and Richmond.
Stringer’s been one of the game’s must-watch players since joining the competition with the Bulldogs via pick No.5 in the 2012 national draft, quickly establishing himself with a brutish style of play and keen eye for goal.
A breakout 2015 season saw Stringer rocket into the All Australian side, booting a career-high 56 goals and earning a reputation as one of the league’s most exciting forwards.
Dubbed ‘The Package’ by Channel 7 caller Brian Taylor, Stringer helped deliver a premiership for the Western Bulldogs in 2016 with a key role in their finals run, adding a team accolade to his early resume.
Ahead of the 2018 season, Stringer got a fresh start joining the Bombers via the trade period and made immediate impact with his new club.
Stringer would claim the first of his three Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker awards, booting 30 goals for the campaign in a promising start to life as a Don.
Finding his touch throughout 2019, Stringer backed up his debut season for the club with an even better effort, playing a vital part in the side's surge to finals contention in the second half of the season.
In his six games between rounds 13-20 that season, Stringer kicked 15 goals and gave the Dons a huge lift, including a match-winning four-goal effort against the Suns on the road which secured a fifth consecutive victory for the club.
After a blistering start to 2020 saw Stringer boot multiple goals in each of the first four games, interruptions through COVID and a serious ankle injury restricted him to just 10 games, often playing through pain in the second half of the season.
Undergoing surgery in the off-season and returning to the AFL line-up in round three of the 2021 season, Stringer replied with arguably the most complete year of his career to date.
Dangerous up forward and dynamic as a clearance player, Stringer’s ability to impact in each role was a weapon for the Bombers throughout the year, finishing with 41 goals and an average of 16 touches per game, earning a spot in the All Australian squad of 40 and a fifth-place finish in the Crichton Medal.
Stringer’s 29 disposals, 10 inside 50’s and four goals against the Hawks in round 14 was one of the most well-rounded individual performances in recent Essendon history, helping the side eventually secure a spot in the finals that year.
Injuries again hampered Stringer in 2022, but he managed to impact as a more permanent forward target with 25 goals from 15 games, with a five-goal haul over the Kangaroos in round 20 his best tally for the year.
Stringer found good form in the first half of 2023 under new Senior Coach Brad Scott despite another post-season interrupted by injury troubles, thrilling the Dons faithful at Marvel Stadium with an Easter Sunday showcase against GWS.
A tally of 4.6 in front of goal was capped off with a typically freakish torpedo from 60 metres out to seal the Bombers’ win, providing one of the goals of the season.
Stringer still showed his midfield capability in spurts throughout the year, going head-to-head with Patrick Dangerfield in the round seven matchup with the Cats and delivering 26 disposals, 11 clearances and four goals.
Enjoying a good blend of forward and midfield time in 2024, Stringer’s hit the scoreboard in every game he’s played so far – when he lines up for game No. 200 this weekend, it’ll also mark the first time he’s featured in the first 11 games of a season since 2018.
At his best, Stringer has been a walking highlight reel for fans of the Bombers and the game in general – this Saturday, he’ll have a big stage fitting for his milestone game in the 20th instalment of the Dreamtime clash.
