Western Bulldogs will hold onto Jake Stringer if suitable trade can’t be agreed

WESTERN Bulldogs will keep Jake Stringer at the club next season if they cannot secure a satisfactory trade deal for the star goalkicker.

Jake Stringer at Western Bulldogs training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

EXILED Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer is poised to nominate Essendon as his preferred new home.

In a major coup for the Bombers, Stringer is believed to be in the final stages of negotiations for contract terms to play in red and black in 2018 and beyond.

GWS jet Devon Smith has also chosen the Bombers, bolstering hopes of a second consecutive finals appearance next season.

Stringer is believed to be happy with the terms on offer at Essendon and has chosen John Worsfold’s men over Geelong.

However the Bulldogs and Bombers are set for a fortnight of tense trade negotiontions with the two clubs refusing to back down from their positions with the exchange period set to kick off on Monday.

Stringer’s manager Robbie D’Orazio is continuing talks with the Bombers today about a potential four-year deal.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed the Bulldogs would keep Stringer at the club next season if they cannot secure a satisfactory trade deal for the star goalkicker.

The Bulldogs are targeting a top-10 pick for the All-Australian forward and remain adamant he will not be moved on for a discounted rate, despite some recent personal issues.

Stringer, 23, was sensationally likened to Gary Ablett Sr for his marking power and freakish goal kicking as he helped steer the Dogs to a stunning premiership last year.

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But his trade worth has been questioned over the past fortnight amid explosive allegations from his former partner, Abby Gilmore, in the Herald Sun about some personal problems.

Stringer has vowed to address the on and off-field shortcomings which contributed to his inconsistent form this year.

The 192cm excitement machine is expected to decide between Essendon (pick No. 11 and No. 28) and Geelong (pick No. 20 and No. 33) as his preferred new home for next season.

Luke Beveridge talks to Jake Stringer at training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

But premiership list chief Jason McCartney said Stringer was going nowhere unless the Dogs received adequate compensation for a player of his immense talent and age.

Greater Western Sydney kept key forward Cameron McCarthy against his wishes for one season in 2016 before trading him to Fremantle in a swap for pick No. 3 late last year.

“We have said we are happy to explore any options that Jake may have but if we cannot achieve a satisfactory agreement with another club he will remain with the Western Bulldogs for another year,” McCartney said.

“We are very clear on that. Jake is contracted for next season and we would look forward to him playing with us in 2018 if a deal doesn’t work out over the next few weeks.”

The Dogs are eager to jump back into the finals next season and want to claim versatile Port Adelaide ruckman Jackson Trengove when the free agency period begins on Friday.

They are also eyeing speedy Power ball-winner Jarman Impey and Fremantle high-flyer Hayden Crozier to help cover Stringer’s potential departure.

The Bendigo product, who was taken with pick No. 5 in the 2012 national draft, is expected to sign a four-year deal at a new club in the vicinity of $2.2 million.

Stringer, who has booted 160 goals in 89 senior matches, toured Essendon’s Tullamarine headquarters for a second time on Wednesday.

Jake Stringer charges through the middle of the ground. Picture: Michael Klein

Manager Robbie D’Orazio, from Connors Sports, said Stringer had learned from his mistakes this season.

“He had a few injuries along the way and he was getting multiple injections to play week in week out in the premiership year,” D’Orazio told the AFL website.

“I think the body and mindset do work hand-in-hand.

“The professionalism he probably let himself down in aspects of his game, just through time management and a few things he could have done off-field to make himself better.

“But he will learn from that and he will comeback bigger and better.”

The Dogs have a preference to secure a deal for Stringer in the early part of the trade period, which officially kicks off on Monday.

Jake Stringer is set to decide between Essendon and Geelong as his preferred club.

But talks could drag on into the second week if Essendon refuses to hand over its first pick in exchange for Stringer.

Geelong’s efforts to nab Stringer and significantly bolster its attacking set-up also hinge on the Cats’ bid to claim Gary Ablett.

The Suns want a replacement player and as much as $300,000 to part with Ablett who, like Stringer, is still contracted for next season.

Stringer said he was initially “shocked and upset” to be put on the trade table and wants a fresh start at a new club next season.

He has already begun boxing in the off-season and wants to play an expanded midfield role.

“There’s still a lot of ways to go in where I end up playing footy next year but I’m really confident that I can get back to somewhere where my best footy is,” Stringer said.