Dynamic Essendon forward Jake Stringer has heaped praise on star recruit Dylan Shiel for the immediate impact he has had since arriving at The Hangar.
Shiel has been outstanding in his first season in the red and black, averaging 27 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six clearances, five tackles and five inside 50s from his 14 games this year.
The Bombers’ massive clash with North Melbourne on Saturday will be the former Giant’s 15th senior game in the sash, taking him to 150 career games and drawing plenty of love from Stringer.
“I’m absolutely rapt for Dyl,” Stringer said on Friday.
“The impact he’s had on the club in the short time he’s been here has been enormous.
“He’s very intense and very full on and he deserves every success he gets, because he works hard for it.”
Dylan Shiel will reach a huge personal milestone at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. (Image: AFL Photos)
Both the Dons and the Kangaroos enter the Tackling Childhood Cancer game with good form behind them and Stringer is excited to face another huge challenge against an in-form opponent off the back of tough victories over Greater Western Sydney and Sydney.
“The (Roos) have gone exceptionally in the last four or five weeks, they’ve really found their feet and it should be a good game.
“When any team gets on a roll you notice them, but it’s not until you play them that you get the full understanding so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Inspirational captain Dyson Heppell will miss his second game on the trot as he recovers from soreness in the growth plate of his foot as the side enters the game unchanged.
While Stringer admitted the loss of the skipper leaves the team with a big hole, he is confident the Bombers can once again step up in his absence with continuity in the line-up on their side.
“He’s captain of our football club, but he didn’t play last week (when we won),” Stringer said.
“Hopefully he’ll push hard and we get him back next week, and hopefully we can get the job done without him.
“A bit of continuity is always good and you get to build connections with players, so that helps.
“For me, I’ve only been here a year and a half so the more time I play with players, the more I get to know them.”
Stringer said belief among the squad has not waivered at any point this season, with consistency the main factor behind the side’s impressive recent performances claiming five wins from its last seven games.
“I don’t think the confidence levels have changed, I think we always knew what we were capable of.
“It was just inconsistency but we’re starting to find a little bit of consistency now, which is good, and fingers crossed it can continue to roll on.”
Stringer will be donating a special pair of custom boots worn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday and you can bid to claim the unique item and support club charity partner Challenge.
