While Jake Stringer’s potential midfield bursts for Essendon have been the source of much speculation, Mark Harvey expects the former Bulldog to spend at least half of tonight’s clash against Adelaide in the middle.
The Bombers assistant coach says the 23-year-old’s pre-season has been heavily focused on his midfield work, and expects him, alongside their other new recruits, to add greater depth to an area seen as while talented, maybe lacks the depth of some other clubs.
“We’ve trained him in the midfield all summer, so I’d expect him to spend at least 50 percent of his time in there,” Harvey told SEN Breakfast.
“He will spend time forward and mid.
“We would like to have 10-12 players that can rotate through those areas, hence that’s the reason why we went after a player like him, and Devon Smith as an example, to add to our midfield.
“Jake‘s got some serious talent. Hopefully he can fit in within our system, and the way we play, which is a little bit different to the Bulldogs.”
Stringer kicked 27 goals in 2017, following his 56 goal All-Australian season in 2015, and 42 in 2016, and Harvey feels he can be equally damaging when he goes forward, particularly if he isn’t the focus of the opposition’s best defender, which was often the case at the Bulldogs.
“The best part about Jake is when he goes into the forward line he will have some big forwards around him, which might actually take the focus off him, and also help him with his output in their forward line,” he said.
You can hear live commentary of Essendon versus Adelaide from 6pm, with Gerard Whateley, Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon and Danny Frawley.