Essendon coach Ben Rutten is adamant there won’t be extra pressure on the returning Jake Stringer as the Bombers attempt to bounce back from last week’s flop against Port Adelaide.
Stringer will be a key inclusion for Saturday’s clash with St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, while former Eagles forward Alec Waterman and No.9 draft pick Archie Perkins will make their AFL debuts.
The Bombers copped a 54-point thumping from Port Adelaide last week and managed just nine goals for the match.
Only five Essendon players got on the goalsheet against the Power, with the Bombers (0-2) already staring at the prospect of another bleak season.
Stringer battled Achilles and calf issues during the preseason, but he is now ready to return to AFL ranks.
Rutten isn’t expecting miracles from Stringer and says there won’t be any extra pressure on the 26-year-old to kick a big bag.
“No, there’s certainly not,” Rutten said.
“We want a diverse mix of goalscorers and ways to impact the scoreboard.
“We’re expecting Jake to come in and play his role. He’s well conditioned, he’s had a couple of runs in the VFL.
“He just needs to come in and contribute to our forward line and defence as well. If he does those things, he’s a good enough player to create goals for himself or opportunities for us as a club.”
Bombers trio Jye Caldwell (hamstring), Sam Draper (ankle) and Dylan Shiel (knee) all suffered serious injuries against Port last week, while skipper Dyson Heppell isn’t ready to return from a back injury.
St Kilda will be aiming to rebound from last week’s 18-point loss to Melbourne and Saints coach Brett Ratten says his team won’t be taking Essendon lightly.
“If you look at the second quarter against the Hawks you would’ve thought they’d won by maybe 80 points by the end of the game, but the Hawks did flick the third quarter and changed momentum,” Ratten said.
“So they’ve had periods in the season where they’ve played really well. But when you lose three players and you’re playing against Port Adelaide over in Adelaide – good luck with that.”
Former Crows midfielder Brad Crouch will make his St Kilda debut after serving his two-match ban for being caught by police with an illicit substance last year.
Ratten said Dan Hannebery is “probably another week away”, while ruckman Rowan Marshall will return via the VFL.