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EMERGING superstar Jake Stringer is fast becoming King of the Docklands, just as Gary Ablett Sr once ruled the MCG.
Etihad Stadium has become the Western Bulldogs’ secret weapon after a 10-game winning streak at the venue with an average margin of 49 points.
Stringer, 21, has kicked two bags of five goals and three bags of four at Etihad.
Ablett dominated at the MCG with 291 goals in 55 games, an incredible strike rate that included nine goals in a losing Grand Final side and a bag of 14.
Two of Stringer’s five goals on Sunday at Etihad — where the Dogs play their next six games — drew comparisons with Ablett’s highlights reel.
An array of Geelong stars and former coaches agreed Stringer’s hunched shoulders, awesome power and ability to burst from a pack into space reminded them of Ablett’s marauding presence.
He is a super-impressive player. He has a long way to go but he has those characteristics — the strong trunk and strong legs.
“He can do anything on either side, he can play big or small and you can see why there are those comparisons.
“He is an excitement machine. Stringer and Ablett had those things — the ability to turn a game, to bust through a pack and kick a goal.”
Former Cats defender Tim McGrath played five seasons with Ablett.
“(Stringer) has that X factor about him, the unpredictability Gazza had. The freaks have that,” he said.
“He’s got that similar physique, the hunched shoulders.
“Those blokes see the game half a step in front of anyone else, put the hammer down and get out of a tight situation.
“They are supreme athletes. They seem to be able to do that stuff with supreme ease.”
Former Geelong coach Gary Ayres, whose ability as a player to excel in heavy traffic was legendary, said Stringer needed to perform for a decade to get near Ablett.
“With that explosive speed and hunched shoulders you could say yes, but Jake is in his third year,” Ayres said.
“For Stringer to be able to work out how good he can be, that’s the unknown.
“There were games where I was coach where you only had to get the ball in a reasonable proximity and it was guaranteed Gary would do something special.
“We want players who mesmerise the opposition and crowd and it’s Gary, its Buddy Franklin, it’s Jake Stringer.”
The Dogs clearly thrive on the fast Docklands track, but their success at the ground is about more than high scores.
Luke Beveridge’s side has kept rivals to a miserly 60.7 points for in its 10-game streak, piling on an average of 109.6 points.
The club’s dashing defenders slingshot the ball from the defensive 50m into the forward 50m nearly one in three times (29.8 per cent), a massive number compared to the AFL average.
The club’s possession, clearance and inside-50 differential are all dominant at the ground.
DANGER MAN
Jake Stringer in the Dogs’ 10 straight Etihad Stadium wins 2015
Rd9: Did not play
Rd12: 5.0
Rd13: 0.2
Rd14: 3.0
Rd17: 1.3
Rd18: 4.2
Rd19: 4.4
Rd20: 4.0
Rd22: 1.2
2016
Rd1: 5.1
EMERGING superstar Jake Stringer is fast becoming King of the Docklands, just as Gary Ablett Sr once ruled the MCG.
Etihad Stadium has become the Western Bulldogs’ secret weapon after a 10-game winning streak at the venue with an average margin of 49 points.
Stringer, 21, has kicked two bags of five goals and three bags of four at Etihad.
Ablett dominated at the MCG with 291 goals in 55 games, an incredible strike rate that included nine goals in a losing Grand Final side and a bag of 14.
Two of Stringer’s five goals on Sunday at Etihad — where the Dogs play their next six games — drew comparisons with Ablett’s highlights reel.
An array of Geelong stars and former coaches agreed Stringer’s hunched shoulders, awesome power and ability to burst from a pack into space reminded them of Ablett’s marauding presence.
He is a super-impressive player. He has a long way to go but he has those characteristics — the strong trunk and strong legs.
“He can do anything on either side, he can play big or small and you can see why there are those comparisons.
“He is an excitement machine. Stringer and Ablett had those things — the ability to turn a game, to bust through a pack and kick a goal.”
Former Cats defender Tim McGrath played five seasons with Ablett.
“(Stringer) has that X factor about him, the unpredictability Gazza had. The freaks have that,” he said.
“He’s got that similar physique, the hunched shoulders.
“Those blokes see the game half a step in front of anyone else, put the hammer down and get out of a tight situation.
“They are supreme athletes. They seem to be able to do that stuff with supreme ease.”
Former Geelong coach Gary Ayres, whose ability as a player to excel in heavy traffic was legendary, said Stringer needed to perform for a decade to get near Ablett.
“With that explosive speed and hunched shoulders you could say yes, but Jake is in his third year,” Ayres said.
“For Stringer to be able to work out how good he can be, that’s the unknown.
“There were games where I was coach where you only had to get the ball in a reasonable proximity and it was guaranteed Gary would do something special.
“We want players who mesmerise the opposition and crowd and it’s Gary, its Buddy Franklin, it’s Jake Stringer.”
The Dogs clearly thrive on the fast Docklands track, but their success at the ground is about more than high scores.
Luke Beveridge’s side has kept rivals to a miserly 60.7 points for in its 10-game streak, piling on an average of 109.6 points.
The club’s dashing defenders slingshot the ball from the defensive 50m into the forward 50m nearly one in three times (29.8 per cent), a massive number compared to the AFL average.
The club’s possession, clearance and inside-50 differential are all dominant at the ground.
DANGER MAN
Jake Stringer in the Dogs’ 10 straight Etihad Stadium wins 2015
Rd9: Did not play
Rd12: 5.0
Rd13: 0.2
Rd14: 3.0
Rd17: 1.3
Rd18: 4.2
Rd19: 4.4
Rd20: 4.0
Rd22: 1.2
2016
Rd1: 5.1
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