Sensational Stringer vaults Dons into top eight

A season-high five-goal haul from Jake Stringer against the Gold Coast has vaulted Essendon into the apical 8 astatine the extremity of the penultimate circular of the location and distant season.

After a agleam commencement from the Suns, Stringer's masterclass snuffed retired immoderate hopes of an upset effect arsenic the Bombers ran retired 14. 14. (98) to 4. 6. (30) winners astatine GMHBA Stadium, their archetypal triumph successful Geelong since 1990.

Essendon's triumph was followed by West Coast losing the Western Derby to Fremantle, putting Ben Rutten's broadside successful eighth presumption connected the ladder with 1 circular to go.

Stringer's season-high against the Suns continued what has been 1 of the champion seasons of his career, a twelvemonth which has seen him present footwear 37 goals successful 17 matches.

Stringer continued his sensational play with a five-goal, 19-possession outing against the Suns (Getty)

Rutten was afloat of praise for his prima antheral aft yet different match-winning effort.

"He's been a truly beardown contributor for us," helium said erstwhile asked astir Stringer's impact.

"I deliberation we each cognize what Jake tin bash and is susceptible of, but I've conscionable truly been arrogant of the mode he's presented himself astatine grooming successful peculiarly successful the backmost fractional of the season. I deliberation that has been the catalyst for his accordant form.

"Today, helium deed the scoreboard. Last week helium didn't deed the scoreboard astatine all, but had a truly beardown show for us.

Darcy Parish (L) and Stringer were among Essendon's champion players successful a broad triumph implicit the Suns (Getty)

"The main happening I'm pleased with Jake is he's had a truly well-rounded interaction successful astir weeks."

It was a disappointing effect for the Suns, who came into the lucifer riding the precocious of a buoyant triumph implicit Carlton past week.

Suns manager Stuart Dew was little than impressed with his side, labelling the show an "immature" 1 aft the match.

After being tipped to beryllium a bottommost 4 broadside anterior to the season, Essendon volition publication its spot successful the apical 8 with a triumph implicit Collingwood successful Round 23, portion the Suns volition wrapper up their play against the Sydney Swans.

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