OUT-OF-FAVOUR Western Bulldogs star Jake Stringer has upped his work rate in the VFL and could be in the mix for the elimination final against West Coast, teammate Matthew Boyd says.
Stringer was sensationally sent back to Footscray two weeks ago following a lean patch of form.
But the 22-year-old All Australian looms as a key finals inclusion for a Dogs forward line that has struggled to hit the scoreboard.
Stringer was among Footscray's best in a big win over Collingwood on Saturday, booting a goal from 23 touches and laying four tackles.
That performance followed a 21-possession, nine-tackle and one-goal effort against Werribee, and Boyd hoped Stringer had done enough to earn a recall.
"I think it's been a bit of a work-rate issue for Jake and obviously he wasn't getting his hands on the footy, so it's hard to continue to play and keep your confidence at a certain level when you're not getting your hands on the footy," Boyd told RSN radio.
"For Jake, he wasn't having a real impact on the scoreboard or defensively, so he had to go back and work on a few things – and he's done that really well.
"I think his first week in the VFL he had nine tackles and we were rapt with that, and then I think on the weekend he got his hands on the ball a bit more.
"So he's been working on those things the coaches have asked him to.
"An in-form Jake Stringer is pretty hard to replace. Whether he's in the right sort of form to come in … I hope he is and I hope that he comes in and has an impact for us."
The Dogs have missed key forward Jack Redpath since he went down with a ruptured ACL in round 18, and coach Luke Beveridge has reportedly met with Collingwood big man Travis Cloke.
"Certainly having forward targets is really important for us," Boyd said.
"I think our forward line functioned a little bit better when we had big Red there, so he's a bit of a loss for us."
The Dogs have several injured stars including acting skipper Easton Wood (ankle), Tom Liberatore (ankle) and Jack Macrae (hamstring) pushing to return for the elimination final.
"(Wood) was running yesterday. It will be touch-and-go, obviously playing on Thursday night puts a little bit more time pressure on those guys who have got injuries who are looking to come back, but he'll be doing everything he can," Boyd said.
Meanwhile, Boyd, who was named in the All Australian squad of 40 on Monday, said he hadn't put any pressure on the club to know his future, with his contract set to expire at the end of this season.
"I feel like I'm playing decent enough footy. I'm not nervous about it, whatever happens happens, that's footy," the veteran defender said.
"All I can do is control my form and what sort of leader and teammate I am for my teammates."
