Box Hill Hawks have run out comfortable 48-point winners in Saturday’s VFL practice match against Essendon, but all eyes were on Jake Stringer who made it through the contest unscathed.
The Bomber forward kicked two opening-quarter goals before sitting out most of the second half as the club continued to manage his minutes.
Stringer suffered a calf setback last month after having his 2020 season largely ruined by a syndesmosis injury, but in contention to make his AFL return next weekend against Port Adelaide after featuring strongly.
Tom Cutler didn’t play in the match which was held at Essendon's Tullamarine training base, putting him in the frame to be named as the club's medical sub for tonight's clash.
Meanwhile, Connor Downie didn't feature in the practice match after the club announced he would make his AFL debut as the sub.
Zach Reid, who was one of three players taken by Essendon in the top 10 of last year’s draft, played in the opening quarter before being rested while Archie Perkins was also involved in the match.
Hawthorn’s top draft pick Denver Grainger-Barras was also reportedly impressive in defence as he continues to press his claim for a debut at AFL level later in the season.
FULL SCORE
Essendon 9.9 (63)
Box Hill Hawks 17.9 (111)
Stringer in everything in first quarter. Kicked two goals, set others up and one or two centre clearances pic.twitter.com/XqHqncMnOP
— Rick Edwards (@BomberRicko) March 20, 2021
Stringer came off about 10 mins into 3rd Qtr and now just running laps on 2nd oval to keep building fitness. Was solid today
— Lunchtime Catch-Up (@LunchCatchUp) March 20, 2021
