Jake Stringer kicked his 350th career goal in 2024Credit: Getty Images
Stringer would bolster an already-exciting attack that contains Coleman Medal winner Jesse Hogan, former All-Australian skipper Toby Greene, talented small forwards Darcy Jones and Brent Daniels, and marking goalkickers Aaron Cadman and Jake Riccardi. However, sources emphasised there was still plenty of work to do before a deal would proceed.
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Stringer, the 2016 premiership player who played 89 games with the Western Bulldogs and was also an All-Australian in 2015 has been open about his desire to gain a contract beyond 2025 after kicking 42 goals for the Bombers this season. But Essendon have refused to budge.
However, they have been comfortable with the dynamic forward exploring his options, with several clubs including Collingwood examining whether they wanted to secure the veteran.
Essendon have to give game time to Nate Caddy and also need draft picks to secure electrifying small forward and next-generation academy graduate Isaac Kako, with a bid expected to arrive for him before the Bombers’ pick nine. That has led to Essendon exploring options to move further up the order ahead of November’s national draft.
The Bombers also have an interest in the Giants’ Conor Stone, who has played just 13 games in four seasons, while the Giants have picks 37, 53 or 56 to potentially offer up after the compensation they received for losing free agents Harry Perryman and Isaac Cumming left them with selections 15, 16 and 21 in the first round. AFL Media reported the Bombers would require more than a third-round selection for Stringer.
In an otherwise slow day in the trade period, Geelong announced they had re-signed, as expected, Jake Kolodjashnij, Jed Bews and Ted Clohesy, while extending exciting defender Lawson Humphries’ contract until the end of 2026. The Western Bulldogs secured Riley Garcia on a three-year deal after he gained some interest from Port Adelaide.
Negotiations began between Sydney and North Melbourne over veteran Luke Parker, with the Kangaroos putting pick 62 up for the premiership midfielder. Parker has a three-year deal on the table from the Kangaroos, however the final year of the deal is not lucrative financially, and the Swans have already farewelled him. Sydney have their eyes on North Melbourne’s pick 44.