By Marc McGowan
With one text message from GWS to Essendon’s new list boss Matt Rosa on Tuesday evening, Jake Stringer’s touted move to the Giants was off. At least temporarily.
In simple terms: pick 53 was as much as the Giants were going to offer, and they felt the Bombers were not going to accept that.
Jake Stringer is one of the game’s most talented and colourful forwards.Credit: Getty Images
From the Stringer camp’s perspective, the deal was never off. Privately, the Giants were still in, but the price had to be right.
On the flipside, Essendon and Rosa genuinely thought the negotiations were dead and buried.
These situations have happened many times before, and will again, during the AFL’s annual swap-fest.
Remember how Fremantle’s head of football, Peter Bell – he of the “feather in my cap” quote, in regard to trying to retain Lachie Neale – issued a statement midway through the 2018 trade period, declaring their pursuit of Jesse Hogan was off because Melbourne’s demands were too steep?
Four days later, Hogan was a Docker.
In Stringer’s case, it was only a matter of hours before Rosa and GWS recruiting manager Adrian Caruso, the club’s representative in Melbourne with list boss Jason McCartney not there, resumed negotiating on Wednesday afternoon.
Stringer will add potency to the GWS attack.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
In between, Connors Sports supremo Paul Connors and Stringer’s agent, Robbie D’Orazio, became aware of the text message on deadline day morning, and were as surprised as the Dons about that development.
They had come too far to give up now. Stringer committed to making a fresh start in Sydney last weekend.
He met a contract trigger at the Bombers that automatically booked him his spot for 2025, but believed he warranted a longer deal, and more money, after kicking 42 goals; his most in a season since kicking the same number in the Western Bulldogs’ premiership year in 2016.
Essendon had no problem coming to the party on money – Stringer would have earned about half a million dollars next year, if he stayed – but were adamant they would not grant him a second season.
To them, a one-year pact would bring the best out of Stringer, and was also the most appropriate for them as a team, given he turns 31 in April, and they are quite a young squad overall. That was when Stringer’s management informed the Bombers he would explore his options elsewhere for a longer deal.
Collingwood were willing to listen for a period before withdrawing their interest, but the Giants did their due diligence and remained engaged.
GWS coach Adam Kingsley met with Stringer and D’Orazio in a Melbourne hotel room in the week after the grand final. Their discussion was lengthy and forthright, both on what the Giants expected of him, but also their excitement at the extra firepower he could provide them.
Another important step in this process was captain Toby Greene’s approval.
Stringer’s former side, the Western Bulldogs – where his connection with ex-Dogs list boss McCartney was formed – have an intense and fiery rivalry with GWS. Stringer had some big moments late in the Bulldogs’ narrow 2016 preliminary final win over the Giants that propelled them to the grand final.
McCartney and co. wanted to know Greene was on board with the plan to recruit Stringer because of that history. Greene was not only OK with it, but became very keen for GWS to make it happen.
Stringer will arrive at GWS with 212 games and 367 goals under his belt.Credit: Getty Images
However, there were many moving parts.
The Bombers wanted to improve their draft hand, and were willing to pay a portion of Stringer’s salary at the Giants if that helped them score a better pick.
Unfortunately, GWS did not have a selection in the 40s, and were unwilling to part with pick 37.
Ultimately, Essendon will not contribute to the dynamic forward’s wage for his new two-year deal at the Giants. There is also no trigger this time, but Stringer is optimistic he will play beyond that – and maybe become a dual premiership player if everything goes well.
The Bombers will offer forward opportunities to others, such as Archie Perkins, while exciting Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Kako will be at Tullamarine next season.
Stringer joins an attack that already boasts reigning Coleman medallist Hogan, Greene, 2022 No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels, Darcy Jones and Jake Riccardi. GWS also want him to continue his centre-bounce cameos.
Stringer’s fiancee and her two children are likely to relocate to Sydney with him, but this decision means living away from the two kids he parents with his ex-wife.
It is another new start for Stringer, but one thing won’t change: he remains compelling viewing.
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