Explosive Essendon star Jake Stringer may not play any practice matches before round 1 and could miss the season opener after being placed on modified training because of ongoing groin pain.
His star teammate Dylan Shiel, who is also on modified training because of a quad issue, could return to play in next week’s practice match against the Western Bulldogs.
But Stringer, 27, is facing a harder road back and will even be rested from training over the next week, with his availability for the Bombers’ season opener against Geelong on March 19 under a cloud.
“Jake Stringer reported some groin pain two weeks ago and after having training modified for a week without significant improvement, it was decided that given the time of the year we would take this time to get it fully right,” Essendon general manager of football Josh Mahoney said.
“Jake will take the opportunity for a week of rest before building back up over the next few weeks. It is unlikely that Jake will play in a pre-season game.”
Stringer last week revealed the 7kg physical transformation – off the back of stinging criticism – fuelled his career-best second half of last season and was driving him for betxjmtzywter in 2022.
In a frank chat with his private trainer Jack Kelly, Stringer conceded it was a sacrifice he needed to make to reach greater heights and accept assistant coach Blake Caracella’s challenge to play more midfield time.
Shiel suffered a tight quad last week and while he was on the sidelines for an intraclub clash on Wednesday morning, he could be back for next week’s practice match and should be available for round 1.
“Dylan Shiel experienced some quad tightness at training late last week but scans have cleared him of serious damage,” Mahoney said.
“He will be modified at training this week, missing the intraclub and remains a chance to play next week against the Western Bulldogs if he continues to improve.”
