Essendon’s offer of draft picks 25 and 30 for Jake Stringer well short of what Bulldogs want

ESSENDON says its offer of picks 25 and 30 in this year’s draft for Jake Stringer is worth pick 10 under the AFL points system. But experts aren’t buying it.

Jake Stringer in action for the Bulldogs.

RECRUITERS say Essendon’s offer of picks 25 and 30 for Jake Stringer is “not even close” to the No. 11 draft pick the Western Bulldogs demanded last week.

The Bombers’ current offer — which adds up to 1385 draft points — is the equivalent of pick 10, according to the AFL’s points system.

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But some of the league’s talent spotters believe there is a drop in quality after the first dozen or so prospects this year.

The Bombers say pick 25 and 30 is their final offer for Stringer and the Dogs say they will not accept it.

“The ball’s in their court,” Dons list manager Adrian Dodoro said yesterday.

“We’re just sitting by the phone, waiting for the Bulldogs to get back to us.”

The shape of the draft helps explain why the Dogs have not seriously considered Essendon’s offer.

Jake Stringer wants to play for Essendon next year.

It also illustrates why Stringer’s club is keen to package the picks for an earlier selection, last week eyeing Fremantle’s No. 5 pick and Richmond’s No. 15.

Those movements came after the Dogs missed out on pick 11 because Essendon traded it to Greater Western Sydney.

The Dockers and Tigers both rebuffed proposed deals last week. An approach to Brisbane Lions was made to secure their No. 12 pick, but that has also fallen over.

Long-time Hawthorn recruiter Gary Buckenara said Essendon’s offer was subpar.

“Two second-round picks in this draft will still get the Dogs a couple of nice players but will they equal a Jake Stringer? I have my doubts,” Buckenara said.

The Dogs and West Coast have since entered talks about the Dogs securing the No. 13 pick.

Sydney holds No.14 and would deal that selection to the Dogs if it was able to secure an extra 2018 first-round selection in addition to either 25 or 30.

But that appears unlikely and the Swans have not held talks with the Dogs or Bombers.

Three players — midfielders Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paddy Dow and forward-midfielder Cameron Rayner — are in contention to go No. 1 this year.

There is then a bit of a break until a group of prospects including Adam Cerra, Sam Hayes, Andrew Brayshaw, Jaidyn Stephenson, Jarrod Brander and Darcy Fogarty.

But even in the very top prospects in this year’s draft there are considered some flaws.

One expert said that while this appeared the weakest draft in multiple years, next year’s was regarded the strongest draft in a similar time frame.