Essendon players Jake Stringer and Mason Redman nearly clash after a heated training tussle

Tensions boiled over at Friday’s Essendon practice session as players stepped in to separate Jake Stringer and Mason Redman.

The pair became involved in a heated scuffle after a tagging contest, forcing a number of teammates to intervene.

Veteran players Dyson Heppell, Andrew McGrath and Peter Wright were among those who ended the exchange.

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They were eventually separated before uninterrupted training continued after the incident.

The competitive session was perhaps indicative of a new hard edge under new coach Brad Scott.

Scott, who coached North Melbourne from 2010 to 2019, took over the top job after Ben Rutten was sacked after a disastrous seven-win season.

Rutten’s sacking came after the club’s failed pursuit of four-time Premiership manager Alastair Clarkson.

Elijah Tsatas, Essendon’s top pick in the 2022 National Draft, suffered a preseason injury and is undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee.

The 18-year-old, who was drafted fifth overall pick, sustained a blow to the knee in a collision in practice this week.

Tsatas has been on the sidelines for about two months.

“While this setback is disappointing, we will not rush his return to the game,” said Dan McPherson, the Bombers’ general manager of performance, in a statement.