Jake Stringer is enjoying his footy again with Essendon and wants nothing more than to share his 100-game milestone with his two young daughters.
After his messy departure from the Western Bulldogs, the high-profile recruit was a lightning rod for criticism as the Bombers slumped to a 2-6 record.
But he’s been an important contributor in his side’s past two wins with his career milestone and a potentially season-defining Dreamtime at the ‘G clash against Richmond looming.
“Everyone goes through their struggles in life and I’ve had mine, but I feel like I’m in a good place now,” Stringer told reporters on Tuesday.
“I think it’s starting to show on the field that I’m starting to really enjoy my footy again, which is something that I’ve probably missed over the past couple of years.
“I’m really enjoying my footy at the minute … I think the fresh start was good for me.”
The 24-year-old admitted the personal turmoil that followed his 2016 split with Abby Gilmore, the mother of his girls Arlo and Milla, affected him on the field in a tumultuous 2017 season with the Dogs.
“I think it has a big impact, but in saying that you’ve got to be able to play under adversity,” he said.
“There was probably a year or two where I wasn’t very good at that.
“It’s good learning for me and I’ve probably grown up a little bit.
“My kids Milla and Arlo haven’t been able to watch me play this year, so fingers crossed I can run out with them on Saturday night and have a very special moment with them.
“They’re my whole world. To have them there and run out with them and give them a hug and kiss and spend some time with them after the game would be pretty magical for me.”
It wasn’t long ago that AFL legend Wayne Carey called for Stringer to be dropped to the VFL and left there until he regained some touch.
But a welcome return to form for the 2016 premiership player coincided with the team’s revival that has improved their ladder position to 12th.
“I knew we’d bounce back and get out of it just from the work that we did through the pre-season and the work that we continue to do,” Stringer said.
“It can’t be as bad as it’s ever made out to be.
“If you can put one or two good performances in you can get really good momentum from that.”