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“It can be a really tough position to be in, and it can be a lonely place sometimes. We certainly rallied around him. We really value Jake in what he brings to the table,” Ridley said.

Stringer, who can turn games up forward and when injected into the midfield, was delighted to have rediscovered his touch. However, he did also finish with six behinds, on a wayward kicking afternoon for the Bombers, who finished with 11.22.

“It would have been nice to not kick so many behinds. It was obviously pleasing. I am just trying to do my part for the team. That’s all I can do each week,” Stringer said.

The Bombers face top-of-the-table Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, before another major test against Collingwood on Anzac Day. They will have at least one change to make this week, as Sam Weideman was concussed.