AFL news: Jake Stringer’s skinfold clause in contract to reward staying in shape
GWS star recruit Jake Stringer has a rare contract clause that will see him miss out on income unless he stays in top physical condition. Jay Clark has the details.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GWS Giants’ star recruit Jake Stringer has a skinfold clause in his contract which financially rewards him for staying in top physical condition.
The Herald Sun understands Stringer, 30, will not receive the full amount of his contract unless he meets skinfold requirements at certain stages of the season.
If he is overweight at the trigger points, the “claw backs” in his deal deduct an amount from his pay packet.
While these sort of contract clauses are rare across the AFL, Stringer did have a similar arrangement at Essendon before it was removed during Ben Rutten’s reign as coach.
Stringer has lived up to his end of the bargain over summer and was lauded for losing 9mm of skinfold in a three-week period across Christmas.
Stringer’s conditioning has fluctuated during his 13-year career but the Giants have been thrilled with his commitment to a meal plan designed by the club’s nutritionist.
Richmond great Jack Riewoldt said it was smart management by the Giants.
“I like it. It’s an American model that we see with players returning and it keeps them honest,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.
“It keeps him honest for the whole season and if Jake Stringer wants to have a full season of good footy these are the sort of things the Giants have identified.”
GWS nabbed Stringer in a trade for pick 53 from the Bombers late last year after seven seasons and 207 goals in red and black.
Hear from Jake Stringer ahead of his GIANTS debut in Tasmania 📲 https://t.co/O9mujfCGPLpic.twitter.com/zzsZbmNOBV
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 27, 2025
GWS coach Adam Kingsley said the club would not shy away from its high standards as the Giants chase their first flag.
“We hit the ground running and, to be honest, you expect them to do the work in the off-season when they are not here, so they are ready to go when they do get here,” Kingsley told the Herald Sun.
“You pay them for 12 months, not for nine months.”
Revealed: Panel report damns ‘alien’ Hobart stadium build
An assessment panel into the proposed stadium for the new Tasmanian AFL team has labelled it an ‘alien’ on the Hobart skyline — saying it would cost more to build and deliver less.
The Lowdown: If the Hornet wants to be a leader, now’s the time
Aside from smashing Richmond, the Power has had an awful start to 2025, with Jason Horne-Francis the poster boy. If the No.1 draft pick wants to stand up, now’s the time. See more in The Lowdown.