Essendon coach John Worsfold says star forward Jake Stringer’s leadership continues to impress the club this year.  

Stringer was sensational in his first season as a Bomber in 2018, taking leading the goalkicking ranks with 30 goals from 20 games, but he has arguably taken his game to another level in 2019.

The powerful Bomber has booted 29 goals from 15 games and been held goalless just once so far this year in the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash when he suffered a minor hamstring injury.

But his value for the side isn’t restricted to the forward line as seen in his dominant display on the ball against Gold Coast in the Dons’ narrow victory on Sunday, where he claimed 15 disposals, four centre clearances, five inside 50s, 508 metres gained, four goals and a goal assist.

Worsfold says the club is “rapt” to have his freakish forward firing and taking on the responsibility to be a leader with 124 games and a premiership under his belt.

“I did talk about it last year a fair bit that the leadership he showed within the group around the way we want to play and understanding our game structures has been awesome all the way through, not only this year but also last year,” Worsfold said on Wednesday.

“We’re rapt he’s playing really good footy and we’re rapt that he’s really happy.”

The Bombers are set to receive a further leadership boost when they take on Port Adelaide on Saturday, with Worsfold declaring he expects athletic forward Orazio Fantasia to prove his fitness and line up at Marvel Stadium.

“Raz is good, he’s going really well so I’m confident he’ll be right to go this week,” he said.

Captain Dyson Heppell is still in the mix for selection, but the tough midfielder was sent home early from the club on Wednesday due to a cold.

The skipper did still get through training on his own, with the club taking a cautionary approach to the minor illness. 

“He’s not too bad, he’s actually got a little bit of a cold today, so that’s why he’s trained a little bit earlier. We thought we’d get that done and get him out of there.

“I’ll get a report on how he felt with his running and where he’s at later on today.”

A cold forced Dyson Heppell to train early at The Hangar on Wednesday. (Image: AFL Photos)

One Bomber who rarely faces injury trouble is brilliant forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has missed just one game in his four seasons at The Hangar.

McDonald-Tipungwuti has struck a purple patch of form in a stunning month of football – averaging 14.5 disposals and seven score involvements, while booting six goals and setting up another six in July – but the 26-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

Worsfold says while he doesn’t take part in specific contract discussions, he is deeply involved in the club’s list management and keen to secure the classy forward’s signature.

“We talk about what we need on our list, what we want on our list, how it’s tracking, where it’s at, so I have a big say on that. But when it comes to the numbers, they kick me out.

“Part of list management is being absolutely clear on the players you want to retain and doing your absolute best to do that.

“(McDonald-Tipungwuti) is a very talented player, he’s a really highly respected part of the playing group and a fan favourite, so he ticks a lot of boxes.”

The clash with Port Adelaide is set to begin at 1:45pm on Saturday.