Mick Malthouse urges Essendon to pull contract offer to Jake Stringer

A coaching great says Essendon has to stop accepting “half-hearted efforts’ and called on the club to withdraw its contract offer to Jake Stringer as a statement to other players.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Jake Stringer of the Bombers is tackled by Judd McVee of the Demons during the round 18 AFL match between Melbourne Demons and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on July 13, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

AFL coaching legend Mick Malthouse has urged Essendon to start making “harsh decisions”, calling on the club not to reward “half-hearted efforts” by offering Jake Stringer a new deal.

Stringer remains out of contract beyond this season, with negotiations continuing over a potential one or two-year deal for the forward.

The 30-year-old is the Bombers’ equal-leading goalkicker this season alongside Kyle Langford, with both forwards having booted 40 majors.

However, Stringer has managed just 2.5 from 10 shots on goal across a crucial past two weeks for his side, which has fallen out of finals contention on the back of consecutive losses.

“Jake, unfortunately, I don’t think has got the work ethic,” Malthouse said.

“He doesn’t seem to have the passion of the other players.

Mick Malthouse says Essendon should pull its contract offer to Jake Stringer. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“For Essendon to go forward, they’ve got to start to look at players who constantly let them down.

“Let him go to another club. You are putting a message out there for your supporters and more importantly for the players to say, ‘We’re not putting up with half-hearted efforts’.”

Fellow Bombers forward Peter Wright was an emergency against Sydney on Friday night, after spending the past two weeks in the VFL.

Malthouse said Essendon rising star nominee Nate Caddy shaped as “the next big thing” but he would pick Wright to play alongside him over Stringer.

“This kid’s got it all and he needs support and Peter Wright’s got the height factor that he’ll draw most of the ball,” Malthouse said on ABC radio.

“Jake Stringer doesn’t draw the ball because he’s not tall enough and he’s not the primary.”

Stringer has a goalkicking accuracy of 46.5 per cent this season, ranking average among general forwards in the competition.

Originally published as Mick Malthouse urges Essendon to pull contract offer to Jake Stringer