Greystache
29-08-2013, 09:21 AM
http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/11/22/1226522/323078-dogs.jpg
JAKE Stringer and Jackson Macrae have committed to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2016.
After a barnstorming finish to the season, the re-signing of the club's top two selections in last year's national draft is another show of faith in the direction coach Brendon McCartney is taking his team.
Stringer, from TAC Cup side Bendigo Pioneers, was chosen with pick No.5 while Oakleigh Chargers' Macrae was taken one spot later.
Western Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said the impression the 19-year-olds had made in their first year at the Whitten Oval had left club officials in no doubt as to their worth.
"We were able to get some high quality young talent in to the club and obviously they've shown some positive signs already at senior level. They've been managed quite well," McCartney said.
"It was a good opportunity to sit down with their management to see if we could extend something out that now keeps them here for another three years - so it's out to 2016, which is pleasing.
"You're hoping by the end of that that they would have played around 60 games each."
Stringer came to the club needing a solid training regime after being plagued by injury throughout his junior career. McCartney said he had been pleasantly surprised that the forward had played 10 games this year, especially after he injured his ankle during the NAB Cup.
McCartney said he had also been encouraged by Macrae's form in his 13 senior games so far, but said it had been a priority to add bulk to the midfielder's lean frame this season.
The Bulldogs have won four of their past eight games after heading in to Round 15 with a 3-10 record.
LINK (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-young-guns-jake-stringer-and-jackson-macrae-re-sign/story-fni5fazt-1226706088318)
JAKE Stringer and Jackson Macrae have committed to the Western Bulldogs until the end of 2016.
After a barnstorming finish to the season, the re-signing of the club's top two selections in last year's national draft is another show of faith in the direction coach Brendon McCartney is taking his team.
Stringer, from TAC Cup side Bendigo Pioneers, was chosen with pick No.5 while Oakleigh Chargers' Macrae was taken one spot later.
Western Bulldogs list manager Jason McCartney said the impression the 19-year-olds had made in their first year at the Whitten Oval had left club officials in no doubt as to their worth.
"We were able to get some high quality young talent in to the club and obviously they've shown some positive signs already at senior level. They've been managed quite well," McCartney said.
"It was a good opportunity to sit down with their management to see if we could extend something out that now keeps them here for another three years - so it's out to 2016, which is pleasing.
"You're hoping by the end of that that they would have played around 60 games each."
Stringer came to the club needing a solid training regime after being plagued by injury throughout his junior career. McCartney said he had been pleasantly surprised that the forward had played 10 games this year, especially after he injured his ankle during the NAB Cup.
McCartney said he had also been encouraged by Macrae's form in his 13 senior games so far, but said it had been a priority to add bulk to the midfielder's lean frame this season.
The Bulldogs have won four of their past eight games after heading in to Round 15 with a 3-10 record.
LINK (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-young-guns-jake-stringer-and-jackson-macrae-re-sign/story-fni5fazt-1226706088318)