Western Bulldogs young gun Jake Stringer admits a mystery injury robbed him of speed and power for much of the Dogs' elimination final loss to Adelaide.
Stringer pulled up abruptly, clutching at his left hamstring, after a running snap at goal just minutes into Saturday night's clash at the MCG.
He hobbled to the bench where he underwent treatment by physios, and while he was cleared to return to the field minutes later, something wasn't right.
"I went numb all through the back of my leg, so I wasn't sure what had happened," Stringer said on Tuesday.
"I still don't know what's happened, it's all right now, though.
"I had never done (a hamstring), so it was a bit of a weird feeling, I don't know whether I did it or not.
"I probably didn't have my speed back to my full capabilities or my power, so it probably did hinder (me) a little bit, but I ended up playing out the game so it was all right."
The 21-year-old kicked two goals in the pulsating final described by some as the best game of the season.
The surging Bulldogs looked set to continue their fairytale run when they took the lead in the final term only to suffer heartbreak at the hands of the comeback Crows.
"Obviously it hurts, but we've had a pretty good season," Stringer said.
"No one really expected us to go as far as we did, so we've got to take the good with the bad."
"(The coach said to) just to let it hurt for the time being, but also to be proud of what we've achieved this year. It's something the boys can really work on for next year."
Share
