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Jake Stringer has starred for Essendon with four goals in a tense 13-point win over traditional rival Hawthorn in Launceston.
Key points:
- Stringer posted 29 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances in addition to his four goals
- The win has the Bombers placed 10th on the ladder, four points outside the top eight
- The Hawks were within a goal of the Bombers late in the final quarter
The 27-year-old forward produced some stunning touches as the Bombers triumphed 13.8 (86) to 10.13 (73) in their first match in Tasmania for premiership points since 1992.
The gallant Hawks got within a goal with less than three minutes to go but the Bombers held their nerve in the dying stages to claim a victory that puts them one match outside the top eight.
Trailing by four points early in the fourth quarter, Stringer and youngster Harrison Jones stepped up to wrestle back the lead in front of a raucous capacity crowd at University of Tasmania Stadium.
Stringer launched a bomb on the run from about 45 metres out and Jones nailed a set shot in front in a run of three goals.
Essendon was sweating bullets when Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore converted a free kick to bring the margin back to six points with 2:36 left on the clock.
But Darcy Parish, who is enjoying a career-best season in the midfield under new coach Ben Rutten, iced the win inside the final 60 seconds with a grubbering goal.
Stringer, who was given additional on-ball duties, picked up 29 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances across a see-sawing match.
Jacob Koschitzke and Luke Bruest were among Hawthorn’s best with three goals each, while Tom Mitchell finished with 35 disposals, 20 of those coming in the first half.
Hawthorn was wayward in the first quarter as Essendon took its chances to open up a 20-9 lead at the first break.
AAP: Dave Hunt
)The Hawks went on a three-goal run in the second term and hit the front, with Mitchell, Bruest and Chad Wingard nailing shots on the run.
But a Stringer major from a turnover close to the bell put the Bombers up by two points at half-time. He then opened the scoring in the third on the back of a strong pack mark.
Bruest ensured Hawthorn staying in touch during the all-important third term with a brace of goals, keeping Essendon’s lead to three points heading into the final quarter.
AAP
