‘I thought I was going to be the villain’: Jake Stringer ignites Bombers to victory over Swans

Jake Stringer came alive and Kyle Langford could not have timed his first goal of the season any better, as Essendon posted a thrilling nine-point win over the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Saturday.

The Bombers trailed by 16 points at the nine-minute mark of the final term but Stringer, goalless and with only 11 touches to that point, booted two goals (one a check-side stunner) and delivered a slick pass to Langford in the pocket, who converted, ensuring the Bombers two big wins in three rounds.

Having toppled St Kilda two weeks ago, the Bombers showed their renewed toughness in the final term, dominating contested possession and clearances to record just their fourth win of the season.

Jake Stringer.Credit:AFL Photos/Getty Images

For the Swans, it was a dispiriting defeat, leaving the visitors with nine wins and a major battle for a top-four berth.

The dashing Nick Hind, midfielder Zach Merrett, skipper Dyson Heppell and Massimo D’Ambrosio were busy all day but it was the man nicknamed “The Package” who will dominate the headlines. He conceded a 50m penalty which allowed Chad Warner to goal, cutting the lead to three points with two minutes remaining, but it did not matter.

“It’s pretty nice, I thought I was going to be the villain. Hopefully, we get some continuity and get some more wins,” Stringer said.

“This group they stick at it – that’s a good thing about them. The performance we put in against Sydney was poor and we had something to prove.”

Parker, in his 250th match, was superb with 25 touches (nine clearances), as was Chad Warner, while Lance Franklin, on a day club chief executive Tom Harley said the Swans wanted him to play on next season, had two goals, and a crunching tackle to end the third term which resulted in a crucial goal. However, he sprayed a vital set shot in the final term.

The Bombers regained the lead when Darcy Parish completed a courageous mark, and found Mason Redman just outside 50m. Merrett then provided a clever shepherd, allowing Redman to run around and drill a long bomb.