Matthew Lloyd questions the Bulldogs’ decision to drop Jake Stringer

Matthew Lloyd has questioned the Bulldogs’ decision to leave Jake Stringer out of Sunday’s clash with Essendon.

Stringer has been out of form, kicking just four goals from his past four matches, and Luke Beveridge has taken the extraordinary step of sending the star forward back to the VFL.

But Lloyd thinks this would have been a good opportunity to play Stringer – and the team – back into top form.

‘They could have played him in midfield, got him up the ground,’ Lloyd said.

‘Leaving out your best forward against the bottom-placed Bombers isn’t any way of getting the cohesion they are desperately looking for.’

The Bulldogs forward targets will be Tom Boyd (nine goals in nine games) and Zaine Cordy (four goals in three games).

‘I’m not sure they’re in great form either,’ Lloyd said.

Stringer is the Bulldogs’ leading goal-kicker this season, having booted 37 goals. Tory Dickson has the next most for the Dogs with 24.

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