Jake Stringer has starred for Essendon with four goals in a tense 13-point AFL win over traditional rivals Hawthorn in Launceston.
The 27-year-old forward produced some stunning touches as the Bombers triumphed 13.8 (86) to 10.13 (73) in their first match in Tasmania for premiership points since 1992.
The gallant Hawks got within a goal with less than three minutes to go but Essendon held their nerve to claim a victory that puts them one game outside the top eight.
Stringer, who was given additional onball duties, picked up 29 disposals, seven tackles and six clearances across a see-sawing match.
"We love the fact that he hit the scoreboard but I'm probably most pleased with the fact he had seven or eight tackles," Essendon coach Ben Rutten said.
Rutten said contract negotiations with Stringer, whose deal with the club expires at the end of this season, are "progressing along".
"Our list management guys are taking care of that. Everything we're seeing from Jake at the moment is really positive and we're really enjoying what he's doing around the club."
Trailing by four points early in the fourth quarter, Stringer and youngster Harrison Jones stepped up to wrestle back the lead in front of a raucous capacity crowd of 14,834 at University of Tasmania Stadium.
Stringer launched a bomb on the run from about 45 metres out and Jones nailed a set shot in front in a run of three goals.
Essendon were sweating bullets when Hawthorn's Dylan Moore converted a free-kick to bring the margin back to six points with 2:36 left on the clock.
But Darcy Parish - who is enjoying a career-best season in the midfield under Rutten - iced the game inside the final 60 seconds with a grubbered goal.
Jacob Koschitzke and Luke Bruest were among Hawthorn's best with three goals each, while Tom Mitchell finished with 35 disposals - 20 of those coming in the first half.
Hawthorn were wayward in the first quarter as Essendon took their chances to open up a 20-9 lead at the first break.
The Hawks went on a three-goal run in the second term and hit the front, with Mitchell, Bruest and Chad Wingard nailing shots on the run.
But a Stringer major from a turnover close to the bell put the Bombers up by two points at halftime. He then opened the scoring in the third on the back of a strong pack mark.
Bruest ensured Hawthorn staying in touch during the all-important third term with a brace of goals, keeping Essendon's lead to three points heading into the final quarter.
"We lacked a bit of polish and being able to finish some of our good work," Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson said.
"We continue to learn and build our game. There were some really positive signs."
Australian Associated Press
