Four goals and an AFL rising star nomination one week, fatherhood the next.

This is the extraordinary life of the Western Bulldogs’ Jake Stringer.

A near best-afield performance from the young Bulldog against St Kilda last round won many plaudits.

And now this week, he’s set to become a dad.

The 20-year-old’s partner Abby is due to give birth to their first child on Sunday and Stringer could not be happier – both for parenthood and his AFL form.

On the football field, Stringer said the emerging Bulldogs’ side is beginning to come into its own.

“It’s been terrific, especially the last eight weeks,” he said.

“We’ve really started to take on a bit more of the team; it feels like we’re starting to take on a bit more responsibility.”

Stringer reeled off the names of the Bulldogs’ generation next: Marcus Bontempelli, Jackson Macrae, Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter and Mitch Honeychurch.

“These guys, in the next two or three years, are going to be really exciting to watch,” he said – except, they already are.

Stringer took up two of the three nominations for goal of the week in round 20 with extraordinary majors from pockets at either end of Etihad Stadium against St Kilda.

With 20 goals, Stringer sits second in the Bulldogs’ goalkicking charts – a run made more remarkable by spending four weeks in the VFL and a handful of AFL games in defence.

Teammate Adam Cooney, a mentor in early years at the club, said he was sure of Stringer’s trajectory.

“He’s an up-and-coming star, that’s for sure,” Cooney said.

“He’s turned into a good mate of mine, Jake, and expecting a little baby any day now – he’s a ripper.”

With the imminent arrival, Stringer dismissed any idea of mixed loyalties should the birth clash with the game against North Melbourne.

“Hopefully, I don’t have to (choose). It’d be pretty unlucky if it comes within two hours of a game,” he said.

“If it does come down to it, I’d go to the hospital and be with my partner.”

Coach Brendan McCartney said Stringer was ready for fatherhood.

“He’s grown up in the last month; he’s readied himself for it,” he said.

“He’s only 20 but he’s ready to be a dad and I’ve seen him around kids. He’s fantastic with them; they just gravitate to him.”