AFL trade period can be the most stressful time in an AFL player’s career, writes Adam Cooney
ADAM Cooney knows about trade time. The Brownlow medallist writes on the stress, how Jake Stringer may prosper and how the Bombers can complete a trade trifecta.
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SPEAKING from experience, the trade period can be the most stressful time in an AFL player’s career.
When it became evident that my 11-year career at the Western Bulldogs was up, my manager and I sought to find a new home for my ageing, cartilage-free body.
TRADE TIME: FULL GUIDE TO EVERY CLUB
AFL TRADE DAY 1: FOLLOW ALL THE BIG TRADE NEWS AND WHISPERS
Phone calls, meetings at clubs, medicals, fan backlash, media speculation ... just a few things to deal with when looking for a new AFL home. At one point during the second week of trade period, I was so stressed I turned my phone off, booked flights to the Gold Coast with the family and flew out the same afternoon.
Four theme parks in four days with three kids did nothing to alleviate stress levels. In fact it enhanced my levels of anxiety significantly.
Eventually, on the final day of the trade period, I found my new home at Essendon. The rest, as they say, is (extremely unsuccessful) history!
It appears likely Jake Stringer is set on a similar path to mine. OUT: Dogs IN: Bombers (note — I have no inside knowledge, I’m speculating like everyone else).
Coach Luke Beveridge publicly declared Jake was on the trade table after a clear coach/player relationship breakdown.
This public admission has clearly affected his trade value. I was critical of Beveridge for not speaking directly to Jake about being traded and instead airing it publicly. But upon reflection and speaking to a number of people at the Bulldogs, the coach cares deeply about his players and empathy is one of his strongest assets.
Jake had clearly lost the trust of the coach. This is due to numerous occasions where he felt he had been dishonest with him and refused to change his habits.
BAD PRESS MAY HELP JAKE
The Herald Sun article with Stringer’s former partner Abby Gilmore, which arguably has done most damage to his trade value, is a huge positive in my opinion.
While Jake won’t think that now (and will hate me for writing this) it could be the best for his future welfare and football.
The reason I say this is it puts a stop to the rumour and innuendo heaped unfairly on Abby. Some of the things said about her are unfair and simply untrue.
It also puts Jake’s issues out in the open, which while perhaps embarrassing now, but at least for him there are no more secrets. He doesn’t have to hide anything and can focus on getting the help he needs without the shame of feeling alone in what he’s going through.
Clubs now know and can help him through issues that may arise in the future.
I can’t speak for Geelong (who are also in the frame to acquire Stringer) but the Essendon staff, leadership and welfare teams are well-equipped to help and support Jake if he ends up at Tullamarine.
It’s fair to say they’ve had a busy time over the last four years, so they have experience in the player welfare department.
So the million dollar question is: How does he get there?
Dogs list boss Jason McCartney, who is in damage control, was last week trying to build up the value of Stringer, saying a high first-round pick is the only acceptable option.
That’s unlikely given the footy world knows that they are desperate to trade him. But given Adam Saad and Devon Smith have also nominated Essendon as their club of choice, there is one potential scenario that could see all three at the Bombers.
HOW BOMBERS CAN LAND TRIO
This three-way trade, concocted by colleague Terry Wallace, could play out like this ...
Essendon gives pick 11 and 28 to Gold Coast
Gold Coast give Essendon Saad and picks 19 and 22
Essendon uses use pick 19 to get Stringer from the Dogs (which I believe both parties will eventually settle on)
Essendon use pick 22 and give that to GWS for Devon Smith.
Gold Coast gets pick 11 and 28.
See ... simple!!
THE PAIN OF BEING TRADED
It’s bloody gut-wrenching leaving the club that gives you a chance in the AFL, especially if you don’t want to leave.
But a change in environment, along with new support networks, is the thing that Stringer needs to get his career and life on the right path again.
Although on field my time at Essendon was unsuccessful, I have nothing but great memories of my teammates and people at the club. I believe they can support and help Stringer and we will see the best of him when he reaches 25-26.
The upside is evident if he takes responsibility for his actions, trains hard and looks after himself.
Originally published as AFL trade period can be the most stressful time in an AFL player’s career, writes Adam Cooney
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