6 days ago
'Can't do that': Jake Stringer facing sanction from AFL after GWS victory
Jake Stringer looks likely to become the latest player to fall foul of the AFL's crackdown on careless contact with umpires, in what would take some shine off his starring performance on Thursday night. Stringer destroyed his former club as GWS beat Essendon by 48 points at Marvel Stadium.
The former Essendon player kicked three goals on Thursday night to help the Giants pummel the injury-hit Bombers. But the performance has been soured somewhat by a potential fine that could be looming.
The AFL announced a crackdown on players making contact with umpires earlier this month, after a spate of incidents in the last 12 months. Players can now be sent directly to the AFL Tribunal for four offences in a two-year period - as occurred with Carlton's Adam Cerra this week.
And Stringer appeared to land himself in hot water when he ran into the back of an umpire late in Thursday night's game. "There's a fine," Kane Cornes said in commentary for Channel 7. "The players have been warned they can't run into the space when an umpire is backing out of a stoppage like that."
Stringer was jostling with an Essendon player during a ball-up, and inadvertently collided with the back-tracking umpire. But under AFL rules the player is at fault and has to show more care.
It was the only dampener on Stringer's triumphant display against his former club. After playing 123 games for Essendon, the 31-year-old moved to the Giants last off-season to try to get the most out of the latter part of his career.
Injuries have plagued his time in Sydney, but he's starting to find some form at just the right time. His three-goal performance came after he kicked four against Geelong the week before.
The veteran had 18 disposals and three score involvements, and also took a speccy over one of his best friends Jayden Laverde. "He was quite nervous coming into the game, but I thought he played with a lot of respect and competed hard," GWS coach Adam Kingsley said. "Took a mark on his one of his best mates, so I think he was pretty happy with that."
GWS and Essendon coaches praise Jake Stringer
Kingsley hailed the way Stringer has been playing for his teammates. "That's been a bit of a trademark of his last month for us," the coach said. "He's been able to kick some miraculous goals, particularly that Gold Coast game.
"But then the West Coast game, you saw a real selflessness, giving goals off, where he had every right to take those shots. Then we saw that again (against Essendon), running into open an goal and handballs to a guy in the goal square (Max Gruzewski). His intent to chase, tackle, pressure feels like it's at a really good level."
RELATED:
Collingwood urged to enquire about 'disgruntled' Hawthorn player
Harley Reid's eight-word taunt for Jason Horne-Francis revealed
Essendon coach Brad Scott was also full of praise for Stringer, despite his side being on the wrong end of the result. "When his team's playing well, Jake can finish as well as anyone," Scott said.
"Despite what people may think - I'd actually prefer it wasn't tonight - but I'm very pleased for him. He wanted to prolong his career. We're going in a different direction. I see the result there as a win-win."
with AAP
