Jake Stringer hospitalised before GWS Giants’ AFL pre-season clash with Sydney Swans
GWS Giants recruit Jake Stringer has been hospitalised with a bad virus on the eve of the new AFL season.
The 30-year-old was an early scratching from Friday’s pre-season clash with Sydney and spent 24 hours under observation.
Giants assistant coach Ben Hart said Stringer’s illness started as an intense headache that turned into a migraine and wasn’t improving, leading to the precautionary visit to hospital.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The former Essendon goalkicker was given fluids and other medicine before eventually being cleared to return home.
“He unfortunately had a bit of illness where he had to go to hospital, nothing too major, they had to do a few tests,” Hart said on SEN.
“It was smart for us not to play him to give him time to recover. He’s good, he actually wanted to play this morning but we left him out and he’ll play next week.
“Looking forward to seeing what he can do in the orange and charcoal.”
Stringer will be needed in the Giants’ final scratch match against Carlton after a heavy defeat to the Swans without him and mainstays Tom Green, Sam Taylor and Stephen Coniglio.
Green will miss the start of the season after suffering a calf strain last week, while Taylor is expected to be cleared soon after entering AFL concussion protocols.
In Stringer’s absence, draftee Cody Angove chipped in with two goals as Coleman Medal-winning teammate Jesse Hogan led the way with three.
But Sydney claimed a 19.11 (125) to 11.8 (74) victory at Moore Park despite themselves missing captain Callum Mills (plantar fascia), Tom Papley (sprained ankle) and Jake Lloyd (foot bone bruising).
Sydney forward Joel Amartey and teammate Braeden Campbell slotted four goals apiece before half-time to create a decisive 11.6 to 5.5 advantage.
Amartey finished with six.
Sydney’s fast start came before heavy rain made conditions difficult after half-time, though proven performers Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner and Ollie Florent continued to be prolific ball-winners for last year’s beaten grand finalists.
The Giants, in addition to Angove, gave unofficial debuts to draftees Phoenix Gothard, Ollie Hannaford and James Leake, who kicked a goal soon after coming on.
- with AAP
Originally published on 7NEWS Sport
