Boom Essendon recruit Jake Stringer has topped off his impressive inaugural season in the red and black with the Matthew Lloyd Leading Goalkicker Award after booting 30 goals in 2018.
Stringer kicked three or more goals on seven occasions this year despite spending plenty of time in the midfield, with a season-best four goals helping lead the side to victory in round four against Port Adelaide.
The 23-year-old worked tirelessly throughout the season, racking up career-high averages for disposals, marks, inside-50s, clearances and contested possessions to add to his impressive haul in front of goal.
The diverse recruit played 20 games this year, missing just two mid-year due to a minor calf strain, and proved to be a crucial part of the forward group – becoming particularly important with last year’s leading forward Joe Daniher’s absence after round nine.
Stringer’s explosiveness makes him an extremely difficult match-up for the opposition wherever he takes the field.
The damaging Bomber arrived at Essendon in the 2017 NAB AFL Trade Period after booting 160 goals from 89 games for the Western Bulldogs, and the signs are certainly promising for the years ahead as he continues to jell with his new teammates.
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