AFL Player #25: Jake Stringer - The lo, rumour mill spins

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Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 19, Harlequin
 
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People going on about Stringer kicking 42 goals acting like we couldn't cover that. Have you watched Stringer? Straight into everyone's leading lanes and totally selfish up forward. Yes he can kick freak goals nobody else can't but how many goals did he cost us by having a shot when he shouldn't have?
 
Petrify said:
People going on about Stringer kicking 42 goals acting like we couldn't cover that. Have you watched Stringer? Straight into everyone's leading lanes and totally selfish up forward. Yes he can kick freak goals nobody else can't but how many goals did he cost us by having a shot when he shouldn't have?
Click to expand...
Only 11 players across all 18 teams kicked more goals than Stringer.

1725105414932.jpeg

I’m good with the hard line because he’s not part of our next premiership (when ever that might be… it ain’t in his career).

But saying we’ll not be worse off goals wise feels a bit nieve*.





*trying some understated phrasing here
 

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Rick Ross said:
Only 11 players across all 18 teams kicked more goals than Stringer.

View attachment 2097773

I’m good with the hard line because he’s not part of our next premiership (when ever that might be… it ain’t in his career).

But saying we’ll not be worse off goals wise feels a bit nieve*.





*trying some understated phrasing here
Click to expand...

Moreso that it's a stupid argument.

You don't just subtract 42 goals.

A number of the goals he kicked someone else would then have the opportunity to kick, he was the single most targeted EFC i50 last season. It's the inverse of how Harry McKay has kicked less goals since Charlie Curnow has come back, because he's not getting as many scoring opportunities.

Not saying we'd be able to replace all the goals, especially the freakish ones he's able to kick that few others can, but we're not simply 42 goals worse without him.
 

Wreck It Ralph: Dons playing high-stakes game with Stringer and the bargain bin forwards up for grabs​

Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.



Essendon fans already shattered about their late-season fall from grace had to endure more cruel punishment as the All-Australian debate raged.
Massimo D’Ambrosio, the man who had fled for Hawthorn after being offered only a one-year Essendon deal, was now considered a worthy All-Australian wingman.

He would eventually miss out to midfielder Nick Daicos but it rubbed salt into the wound given his polished ball use and run was exactly what the Dons lacked as they crashed from contention.

As D’Ambrosio said after being offered a single season at Essendon and leaving for a longer deal: “At this time in my career I just needed a bit more security”.

It is an episode worth noting as the Dons try to play hard ball on Jake Stringer.
There are many things Stringer isn’t.

He isn’t very consistent, he isn’t always there in a crisis, he isn’t a ball of muscle like Scott Pendlebury or Josh Weddle or Isaac Heeney.
Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But he is especially loyal, he is desperate to stay at Essendon.
And this year like very few other players he kicked goals when they were needed.
Playing in an Essendon forward line fully of highly paid stars who singularly failed to do that when counted upon this year.
As the Herald Sun reported this week,

He can accept a deal of about $400,000, renegotiate, or go and request a trade.
Essendon should be careful what they wish for as they try to strike a balance between incentivising Stringer’s future performance and limiting their exposure if he signs a two-year deal then fails to deliver.
Let’s be as blunt as we can be about this.

Stringer delivered exceptional value for Essendon this year given his goal output and salary of much less than $800,000 a season.
His tally of 42.25 was the 13th best haul in the comp.

It was the same as Tyson Stengle, who many Cats fans screamed should be in the All-Australian team.
It was one more than Toby Greene, paid over a million bucks a year and former All-Australian captain.
It was six more than Will Hayward, who rivals were prepared to offer six years at $800,000 before he eventually signed a five-year deal.

It was double the output of the disappointing Jade Gresham (22 games, 19 goals), who signed a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.
The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was triple the tally of Gryan Myers and Ben Ainsworth, two half forwards of some renown.
And it was double the tally of Todd Marshall and Luke Jackson, two young stars who are also on exorbitant contracts.
In short, for all of his advertised flaws it was enough to get him a two-year deal somewhere next year and at the very least a pay rise at Essendon.

At 30, is he at the age when many players have accepted one-year contracts from then on to finish their careers?
Yes, but those players do so with very little leverage.
Mason Wood just signed a three-year deal and turns 31 in a few days.
Nathan Broad just got offered three years as a 31-year-old.

So Essendon is playing a dangerous game if it believes Stringer will never leave this club.
Culture is a funny thing.
Stringer didn’t jump ship at the Western Bulldogs, he was pushed out through his own mishaps and controversies and found a new home at the Dons.

He might be a loveable rogue, but he has often played hurt to his own detriment – and reputation.
He has often not turned up to pre-season in elite shape, or lost condition through the season.

But from the start of this year as he explored his own faith in a journey of discovery, he pledged his future to the Dons.
“Do I want to play anywhere else? Absolutely not. My home is Essendon, absolutely,” he said in February.

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So the two parties will haggle, while clubs looking for goalkickers will kick his tyres and wonder if they might secure him for a late pick and a reasonable but not ridiculous salary.

Here is the question Brad Scott needs to ask.
What is the Essendon forward line like next year without him?
In a year where the blowtorch will be focused on Scott’s backside in a no-excuse season where he simply must play finals.
In a 2025 season where full back Ben McKay will again be paid up to $1.4 million (in a front-ended deal) surely it’s worth paying Stringer a reasonable salary – call it $750,000 – with at the very least a very attainable games-based clause for a second season.

Or just give him a two-year deal as a show of faith in Stringer so he doesn’t have to play hurt to try to hit that trigger.
His management team wasn’t able to secure Christian Petracca an escape from Melbourne but getting Stringer two years for a later pick surely would be a walk in the park elsewhere.
Right now Essendon’s message is that Essendon doesn’t trust Stringer.
What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

To turn up in good nick in November, to deliver on game day, to keep fit through the season.
Without him Essendon has the dependable Kyle Langford (43 goals this year), then VFL-bound Peter Wright, the flighty Gresham, the wingman-half forward Harrison Jones (18 goals in 21 games), and 10 gamer Nate Caddy.

So Essendon is involved in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that at worst threatens to anger Stringer’s teammates over the club’s lack of commitment to a key member of their team.

Get it right and they secure a highly motivated team player who is in the right frame of mind to reprise this season’s excellent goal tally.
Get it wrong and they lose a quality player for little – and alienate their own fan base and playing group.
 
I Remember Bluey said:

Wreck It Ralph: Dons playing high-stakes game with Stringer and the bargain bin forwards up for grabs​

Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.



Essendon fans already shattered about their late-season fall from grace had to endure more cruel punishment as the All-Australian debate raged.
Massimo D’Ambrosio, the man who had fled for Hawthorn after being offered only a one-year Essendon deal, was now considered a worthy All-Australian wingman.

He would eventually miss out to midfielder Nick Daicos but it rubbed salt into the wound given his polished ball use and run was exactly what the Dons lacked as they crashed from contention.

As D’Ambrosio said after being offered a single season at Essendon and leaving for a longer deal: “At this time in my career I just needed a bit more security”.

It is an episode worth noting as the Dons try to play hard ball on Jake Stringer.
There are many things Stringer isn’t.

He isn’t very consistent, he isn’t always there in a crisis, he isn’t a ball of muscle like Scott Pendlebury or Josh Weddle or Isaac Heeney.
Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But he is especially loyal, he is desperate to stay at Essendon.
And this year like very few other players he kicked goals when they were needed.
Playing in an Essendon forward line fully of highly paid stars who singularly failed to do that when counted upon this year.
As the Herald Sun reported this week,

He can accept a deal of about $400,000, renegotiate, or go and request a trade.
Essendon should be careful what they wish for as they try to strike a balance between incentivising Stringer’s future performance and limiting their exposure if he signs a two-year deal then fails to deliver.
Let’s be as blunt as we can be about this.

Stringer delivered exceptional value for Essendon this year given his goal output and salary of much less than $800,000 a season.
His tally of 42.25 was the 13th best haul in the comp.

It was the same as Tyson Stengle, who many Cats fans screamed should be in the All-Australian team.
It was one more than Toby Greene, paid over a million bucks a year and former All-Australian captain.
It was six more than Will Hayward, who rivals were prepared to offer six years at $800,000 before he eventually signed a five-year deal.

It was double the output of the disappointing Jade Gresham (22 games, 19 goals), who signed a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.
The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was triple the tally of Gryan Myers and Ben Ainsworth, two half forwards of some renown.
And it was double the tally of Todd Marshall and Luke Jackson, two young stars who are also on exorbitant contracts.
In short, for all of his advertised flaws it was enough to get him a two-year deal somewhere next year and at the very least a pay rise at Essendon.

At 30, is he at the age when many players have accepted one-year contracts from then on to finish their careers?
Yes, but those players do so with very little leverage.
Mason Wood just signed a three-year deal and turns 31 in a few days.
Nathan Broad just got offered three years as a 31-year-old.

So Essendon is playing a dangerous game if it believes Stringer will never leave this club.
Culture is a funny thing.
Stringer didn’t jump ship at the Western Bulldogs, he was pushed out through his own mishaps and controversies and found a new home at the Dons.

He might be a loveable rogue, but he has often played hurt to his own detriment – and reputation.
He has often not turned up to pre-season in elite shape, or lost condition through the season.

But from the start of this year as he explored his own faith in a journey of discovery, he pledged his future to the Dons.
“Do I want to play anywhere else? Absolutely not. My home is Essendon, absolutely,” he said in February.

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So the two parties will haggle, while clubs looking for goalkickers will kick his tyres and wonder if they might secure him for a late pick and a reasonable but not ridiculous salary.

Here is the question Brad Scott needs to ask.
What is the Essendon forward line like next year without him?
In a year where the blowtorch will be focused on Scott’s backside in a no-excuse season where he simply must play finals.
In a 2025 season where full back Ben McKay will again be paid up to $1.4 million (in a front-ended deal) surely it’s worth paying Stringer a reasonable salary – call it $750,000 – with at the very least a very attainable games-based clause for a second season.

Or just give him a two-year deal as a show of faith in Stringer so he doesn’t have to play hurt to try to hit that trigger.
His management team wasn’t able to secure Christian Petracca an escape from Melbourne but getting Stringer two years for a later pick surely would be a walk in the park elsewhere.
Right now Essendon’s message is that Essendon doesn’t trust Stringer.
What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

To turn up in good nick in November, to deliver on game day, to keep fit through the season.
Without him Essendon has the dependable Kyle Langford (43 goals this year), then VFL-bound Peter Wright, the flighty Gresham, the wingman-half forward Harrison Jones (18 goals in 21 games), and 10 gamer Nate Caddy.

So Essendon is involved in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that at worst threatens to anger Stringer’s teammates over the club’s lack of commitment to a key member of their team.

Get it right and they secure a highly motivated team player who is in the right frame of mind to reprise this season’s excellent goal tally.
Get it wrong and they lose a quality player for little – and alienate their own fan base and playing group.
Click to expand...

Don't mind it
 
I Remember Bluey said:

Wreck It Ralph: Dons playing high-stakes game with Stringer and the bargain bin forwards up for grabs​

Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.



Essendon fans already shattered about their late-season fall from grace had to endure more cruel punishment as the All-Australian debate raged.
Massimo D’Ambrosio, the man who had fled for Hawthorn after being offered only a one-year Essendon deal, was now considered a worthy All-Australian wingman.

He would eventually miss out to midfielder Nick Daicos but it rubbed salt into the wound given his polished ball use and run was exactly what the Dons lacked as they crashed from contention.

As D’Ambrosio said after being offered a single season at Essendon and leaving for a longer deal: “At this time in my career I just needed a bit more security”.

It is an episode worth noting as the Dons try to play hard ball on Jake Stringer.
There are many things Stringer isn’t.

He isn’t very consistent, he isn’t always there in a crisis, he isn’t a ball of muscle like Scott Pendlebury or Josh Weddle or Isaac Heeney.
Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But he is especially loyal, he is desperate to stay at Essendon.
And this year like very few other players he kicked goals when they were needed.
Playing in an Essendon forward line fully of highly paid stars who singularly failed to do that when counted upon this year.
As the Herald Sun reported this week,

He can accept a deal of about $400,000, renegotiate, or go and request a trade.
Essendon should be careful what they wish for as they try to strike a balance between incentivising Stringer’s future performance and limiting their exposure if he signs a two-year deal then fails to deliver.
Let’s be as blunt as we can be about this.

Stringer delivered exceptional value for Essendon this year given his goal output and salary of much less than $800,000 a season.
His tally of 42.25 was the 13th best haul in the comp.

It was the same as Tyson Stengle, who many Cats fans screamed should be in the All-Australian team.
It was one more than Toby Greene, paid over a million bucks a year and former All-Australian captain.
It was six more than Will Hayward, who rivals were prepared to offer six years at $800,000 before he eventually signed a five-year deal.

It was double the output of the disappointing Jade Gresham (22 games, 19 goals), who signed a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.
The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was triple the tally of Gryan Myers and Ben Ainsworth, two half forwards of some renown.
And it was double the tally of Todd Marshall and Luke Jackson, two young stars who are also on exorbitant contracts.
In short, for all of his advertised flaws it was enough to get him a two-year deal somewhere next year and at the very least a pay rise at Essendon.

At 30, is he at the age when many players have accepted one-year contracts from then on to finish their careers?
Yes, but those players do so with very little leverage.
Mason Wood just signed a three-year deal and turns 31 in a few days.
Nathan Broad just got offered three years as a 31-year-old.

So Essendon is playing a dangerous game if it believes Stringer will never leave this club.
Culture is a funny thing.
Stringer didn’t jump ship at the Western Bulldogs, he was pushed out through his own mishaps and controversies and found a new home at the Dons.

He might be a loveable rogue, but he has often played hurt to his own detriment – and reputation.
He has often not turned up to pre-season in elite shape, or lost condition through the season.

But from the start of this year as he explored his own faith in a journey of discovery, he pledged his future to the Dons.
“Do I want to play anywhere else? Absolutely not. My home is Essendon, absolutely,” he said in February.

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So the two parties will haggle, while clubs looking for goalkickers will kick his tyres and wonder if they might secure him for a late pick and a reasonable but not ridiculous salary.

Here is the question Brad Scott needs to ask.
What is the Essendon forward line like next year without him?
In a year where the blowtorch will be focused on Scott’s backside in a no-excuse season where he simply must play finals.
In a 2025 season where full back Ben McKay will again be paid up to $1.4 million (in a front-ended deal) surely it’s worth paying Stringer a reasonable salary – call it $750,000 – with at the very least a very attainable games-based clause for a second season.

Or just give him a two-year deal as a show of faith in Stringer so he doesn’t have to play hurt to try to hit that trigger.
His management team wasn’t able to secure Christian Petracca an escape from Melbourne but getting Stringer two years for a later pick surely would be a walk in the park elsewhere.
Right now Essendon’s message is that Essendon doesn’t trust Stringer.
What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

To turn up in good nick in November, to deliver on game day, to keep fit through the season.
Without him Essendon has the dependable Kyle Langford (43 goals this year), then VFL-bound Peter Wright, the flighty Gresham, the wingman-half forward Harrison Jones (18 goals in 21 games), and 10 gamer Nate Caddy.

So Essendon is involved in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that at worst threatens to anger Stringer’s teammates over the club’s lack of commitment to a key member of their team.

Get it right and they secure a highly motivated team player who is in the right frame of mind to reprise this season’s excellent goal tally.
Get it wrong and they lose a quality player for little – and alienate their own fan base and playing group.
Click to expand...
Shows a complete lack of understanding of the issues we have with our forwards.
Another Ralph master class.
 
When you see Nathan Broad offered 3 years at $700 k a year the reality of this saga hit's home
 
BrunoV said:
Some of Daniel Menzel's numbers in his last 3 seasons at Geelong (before being traded to Sydney):

  • 2016: 33 goals at an average of 1.8;
  • 2017: 40 goals at an average of 2.1;
  • 2018: 27 goals at an average of 2.1.

Jake Stringer's equivalent numbers in his last 3 seasons;

  • 2022: 25 goals at an average of 1.7;
  • 2023: 21 goals at an average of 1.2;
  • 2024: 42 goals at an average of 1.8.

What does a good club do when faced with a dysfunctional forward line? What does a bad club do when faced with the equivalent problem? I want to answers at least part of this latter question to say that it will come up with a number of reasons not to make desperately needed change, none of which address the fundamental issue(s).
Click to expand...
Menzel wasn’t also part of geelongs midfield. It seemed whenever we needed a clearance Scott relied on stringer at centre bounce.
 

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I Remember Bluey said:

Wreck It Ralph: Dons playing high-stakes game with Stringer and the bargain bin forwards up for grabs​

Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.



Essendon fans already shattered about their late-season fall from grace had to endure more cruel punishment as the All-Australian debate raged.
Massimo D’Ambrosio, the man who had fled for Hawthorn after being offered only a one-year Essendon deal, was now considered a worthy All-Australian wingman.

He would eventually miss out to midfielder Nick Daicos but it rubbed salt into the wound given his polished ball use and run was exactly what the Dons lacked as they crashed from contention.

As D’Ambrosio said after being offered a single season at Essendon and leaving for a longer deal: “At this time in my career I just needed a bit more security”.

It is an episode worth noting as the Dons try to play hard ball on Jake Stringer.
There are many things Stringer isn’t.

He isn’t very consistent, he isn’t always there in a crisis, he isn’t a ball of muscle like Scott Pendlebury or Josh Weddle or Isaac Heeney.
Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But he is especially loyal, he is desperate to stay at Essendon.
And this year like very few other players he kicked goals when they were needed.
Playing in an Essendon forward line fully of highly paid stars who singularly failed to do that when counted upon this year.
As the Herald Sun reported this week,

He can accept a deal of about $400,000, renegotiate, or go and request a trade.
Essendon should be careful what they wish for as they try to strike a balance between incentivising Stringer’s future performance and limiting their exposure if he signs a two-year deal then fails to deliver.
Let’s be as blunt as we can be about this.

Stringer delivered exceptional value for Essendon this year given his goal output and salary of much less than $800,000 a season.
His tally of 42.25 was the 13th best haul in the comp.

It was the same as Tyson Stengle, who many Cats fans screamed should be in the All-Australian team.
It was one more than Toby Greene, paid over a million bucks a year and former All-Australian captain.
It was six more than Will Hayward, who rivals were prepared to offer six years at $800,000 before he eventually signed a five-year deal.

It was double the output of the disappointing Jade Gresham (22 games, 19 goals), who signed a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.
The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was triple the tally of Gryan Myers and Ben Ainsworth, two half forwards of some renown.
And it was double the tally of Todd Marshall and Luke Jackson, two young stars who are also on exorbitant contracts.
In short, for all of his advertised flaws it was enough to get him a two-year deal somewhere next year and at the very least a pay rise at Essendon.

At 30, is he at the age when many players have accepted one-year contracts from then on to finish their careers?
Yes, but those players do so with very little leverage.
Mason Wood just signed a three-year deal and turns 31 in a few days.
Nathan Broad just got offered three years as a 31-year-old.

So Essendon is playing a dangerous game if it believes Stringer will never leave this club.
Culture is a funny thing.
Stringer didn’t jump ship at the Western Bulldogs, he was pushed out through his own mishaps and controversies and found a new home at the Dons.

He might be a loveable rogue, but he has often played hurt to his own detriment – and reputation.
He has often not turned up to pre-season in elite shape, or lost condition through the season.

But from the start of this year as he explored his own faith in a journey of discovery, he pledged his future to the Dons.
“Do I want to play anywhere else? Absolutely not. My home is Essendon, absolutely,” he said in February.

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So the two parties will haggle, while clubs looking for goalkickers will kick his tyres and wonder if they might secure him for a late pick and a reasonable but not ridiculous salary.

Here is the question Brad Scott needs to ask.
What is the Essendon forward line like next year without him?
In a year where the blowtorch will be focused on Scott’s backside in a no-excuse season where he simply must play finals.
In a 2025 season where full back Ben McKay will again be paid up to $1.4 million (in a front-ended deal) surely it’s worth paying Stringer a reasonable salary – call it $750,000 – with at the very least a very attainable games-based clause for a second season.

Or just give him a two-year deal as a show of faith in Stringer so he doesn’t have to play hurt to try to hit that trigger.
His management team wasn’t able to secure Christian Petracca an escape from Melbourne but getting Stringer two years for a later pick surely would be a walk in the park elsewhere.
Right now Essendon’s message is that Essendon doesn’t trust Stringer.
What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

To turn up in good nick in November, to deliver on game day, to keep fit through the season.
Without him Essendon has the dependable Kyle Langford (43 goals this year), then VFL-bound Peter Wright, the flighty Gresham, the wingman-half forward Harrison Jones (18 goals in 21 games), and 10 gamer Nate Caddy.

So Essendon is involved in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that at worst threatens to anger Stringer’s teammates over the club’s lack of commitment to a key member of their team.

Get it right and they secure a highly motivated team player who is in the right frame of mind to reprise this season’s excellent goal tally.
Get it wrong and they lose a quality player for little – and alienate their own fan base and playing group.
Click to expand...
i reckon Stringers manager has offered Jon Ralph a percentage of his next contract for writing that
 
Chief Hopper said:
It would be insane for Essendon to lose a 42 goal player. It compares to when Hooker retired, we had no replacement and the whole team slumped a bit. We lost games we previously would have won.

He's easily worth one year, even 2.

We need to fix the delivery from our mids.
Click to expand...
Hooker was absolutely cooked. If the ball wasn’t within a 5 metre radius of where he was positioned it was game over.

Wright had his best year in 2022. Tippa was the biggest loss from our forward line after Hooker retired and we’ve not replaced his pressure since.
 
Schnitzengruben said:
I agree with the move, but it'd be pretty insulting when you're offered the same contract length as Jye Menzies and actually a year less than Matt Guelfis.
Click to expand...
He ain’t being offered that contract length, it was a trigger when he signed the 3 year which was really a 4 year deal which I’ve been saying for the last 2 years. We have no obligation to extend it. Stringer is also 30. Most injury prone players, only get 1 year dealers after they hit 30
 
We have one player with X-factor, and not only that, he's also loyal, and now we're deciding to play hard ball. It's an interesting decision and it's probably going to blow up in our faces.

There are a lot of things that you can question Jake on, but he's consistently kicked goals for this team and is often asked to create a clearance out of nothing. I am not sure he is as easily replaced as some so confidently feel he may be.

For me, he isn't the piece I would be moving out of the forward line.
 
I Remember Bluey said:

Wreck It Ralph: Dons playing high-stakes game with Stringer and the bargain bin forwards up for grabs​

Jake Stringer is desperate to stay at Essendon, but how much are the Bombers willing to test the loyalty of a rare forward actually delivering for them? JON RALPH writes, it’s a dangerous game.



Essendon fans already shattered about their late-season fall from grace had to endure more cruel punishment as the All-Australian debate raged.
Massimo D’Ambrosio, the man who had fled for Hawthorn after being offered only a one-year Essendon deal, was now considered a worthy All-Australian wingman.

He would eventually miss out to midfielder Nick Daicos but it rubbed salt into the wound given his polished ball use and run was exactly what the Dons lacked as they crashed from contention.

As D’Ambrosio said after being offered a single season at Essendon and leaving for a longer deal: “At this time in my career I just needed a bit more security”.

It is an episode worth noting as the Dons try to play hard ball on Jake Stringer.
There are many things Stringer isn’t.

He isn’t very consistent, he isn’t always there in a crisis, he isn’t a ball of muscle like Scott Pendlebury or Josh Weddle or Isaac Heeney.
Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Stringer had a great year for the Bombers. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But he is especially loyal, he is desperate to stay at Essendon.
And this year like very few other players he kicked goals when they were needed.
Playing in an Essendon forward line fully of highly paid stars who singularly failed to do that when counted upon this year.
As the Herald Sun reported this week,

He can accept a deal of about $400,000, renegotiate, or go and request a trade.
Essendon should be careful what they wish for as they try to strike a balance between incentivising Stringer’s future performance and limiting their exposure if he signs a two-year deal then fails to deliver.
Let’s be as blunt as we can be about this.

Stringer delivered exceptional value for Essendon this year given his goal output and salary of much less than $800,000 a season.
His tally of 42.25 was the 13th best haul in the comp.

It was the same as Tyson Stengle, who many Cats fans screamed should be in the All-Australian team.
It was one more than Toby Greene, paid over a million bucks a year and former All-Australian captain.
It was six more than Will Hayward, who rivals were prepared to offer six years at $800,000 before he eventually signed a five-year deal.

It was double the output of the disappointing Jade Gresham (22 games, 19 goals), who signed a three-year deal worth $700,000 a season.
The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Don kicked the 13th most goals in the league this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

It was triple the tally of Gryan Myers and Ben Ainsworth, two half forwards of some renown.
And it was double the tally of Todd Marshall and Luke Jackson, two young stars who are also on exorbitant contracts.
In short, for all of his advertised flaws it was enough to get him a two-year deal somewhere next year and at the very least a pay rise at Essendon.

At 30, is he at the age when many players have accepted one-year contracts from then on to finish their careers?
Yes, but those players do so with very little leverage.
Mason Wood just signed a three-year deal and turns 31 in a few days.
Nathan Broad just got offered three years as a 31-year-old.

So Essendon is playing a dangerous game if it believes Stringer will never leave this club.
Culture is a funny thing.
Stringer didn’t jump ship at the Western Bulldogs, he was pushed out through his own mishaps and controversies and found a new home at the Dons.

He might be a loveable rogue, but he has often played hurt to his own detriment – and reputation.
He has often not turned up to pre-season in elite shape, or lost condition through the season.

But from the start of this year as he explored his own faith in a journey of discovery, he pledged his future to the Dons.
“Do I want to play anywhere else? Absolutely not. My home is Essendon, absolutely,” he said in February.

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The man himself is not keen on moving. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

So the two parties will haggle, while clubs looking for goalkickers will kick his tyres and wonder if they might secure him for a late pick and a reasonable but not ridiculous salary.

Here is the question Brad Scott needs to ask.
What is the Essendon forward line like next year without him?
In a year where the blowtorch will be focused on Scott’s backside in a no-excuse season where he simply must play finals.
In a 2025 season where full back Ben McKay will again be paid up to $1.4 million (in a front-ended deal) surely it’s worth paying Stringer a reasonable salary – call it $750,000 – with at the very least a very attainable games-based clause for a second season.

Or just give him a two-year deal as a show of faith in Stringer so he doesn’t have to play hurt to try to hit that trigger.
His management team wasn’t able to secure Christian Petracca an escape from Melbourne but getting Stringer two years for a later pick surely would be a walk in the park elsewhere.
Right now Essendon’s message is that Essendon doesn’t trust Stringer.
What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

What will the Bombers offer? Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

To turn up in good nick in November, to deliver on game day, to keep fit through the season.
Without him Essendon has the dependable Kyle Langford (43 goals this year), then VFL-bound Peter Wright, the flighty Gresham, the wingman-half forward Harrison Jones (18 goals in 21 games), and 10 gamer Nate Caddy.

So Essendon is involved in a high-stakes game of brinkmanship that at worst threatens to anger Stringer’s teammates over the club’s lack of commitment to a key member of their team.

Get it right and they secure a highly motivated team player who is in the right frame of mind to reprise this season’s excellent goal tally.
Get it wrong and they lose a quality player for little – and alienate their own fan base and playing group.
Click to expand...
Good point about a games clause meaning he is more likely to play injured and hurt his overall season.
 
jmoo wan said:
i reckon Stringers manager has offered Jon Ralph a percentage of his next contract for writing that
Click to expand...
We need to change the culture and holding onto unprofessional players will not change culture.

Ralph is an Essendon supporter that gets a chub watching Stringer in an overall ho hum team.
 
I wouldn’t offer stringer an extension. But if he stays, I’d throw him a little extra cash. He had a solid year, give him an extra 100k. No need to be total pricks.
 
Schnitzengruben said:
I agree with the move, but it'd be pretty insulting when you're offered the same contract length as Jye Menzies and actually a year less than Matt Guelfis.
Click to expand...
Is it? How many 30 year olds get 2 year contracts without being top 3 in the BnF or getting AA even once in the previous 3 years?
 
doug85 said:
I wouldn’t offer stringer an extension. But if he stays, I’d throw him a little extra cash. He had a solid year, give him an extra 100k. No need to be total pricks.
Click to expand...
I reckon renegotiate it so he gets paid 2025 the same pay he got this year, and add another set of triggers for 2026, with the same requirements and same pay as he currently has for 2025.

If he wants guaranteed 2 years, go elsewhere.
 
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