AFL trade news: Recap all the updates and news from day 3 of AFL trade period

Jake Stringer wants to play for GWS next season, but how can the Bombers and Giants get a deal done? One young gun at GWS could be the key. Recap day three of the trade period here.

Essendon star forward Jake Stringer wants to play for Greater Western Sydney next season as the Bombers eye young Giant Conor Stone as a potential replacement inside 50m.

The Giants and Bombers are about to ramp up talks on a deal to send Stringer to the Giants next year potentially in exchange for Stone or a modest pick such as GWS’s 53 or 56.

RECAP ALL TODAY’S TRADE ACTION BELOW

Stringer, 30, and the Giants have taken the past couple of days to consider the move and, barring an unforeseen backflip, are expected to seal the blockbuster transfer by Wednesday’s trade deadline.

Stringer told the Herald Sun in May he could play for another four more seasons and still had some of his best football ahead of him.

“It doesn’t feel like I have hit my ceiling yet,” Stringer said.

Conor Stone could be the key to a deal. Pic: Michael Klein

But in a surprise late this season, the Bombers opened the door for his departure, and after some interest from Collingwood, GWS has swooped this week following talks with Stringer.

Young athletic GWS midfielder/forward Stone, 22, could also be on his way to the Bombers to replace Stringer inside 50m, pending further discussions with the two clubs over the next 48 hours.

Essendon has flagged considerable interest in Stone, a 189cm goal kicker, who has overcome five hamstring injuries and disc and arthritis problems in his back.

Stone, who was taken pick 15 in the 2020 draft as part of the Jeremy Cameron trade to Geelong, has played 13 AFL games in four years amid a horror run with injuries, but has not yet decided whether to join Essendon, however, the clubs could keep the two deals separate.

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Stringer is set to sign a two-year deal on about $550,000 plus bonuses to continue his career at a third club after booting 207 goals across 123 games in seven years in red and black.

The Bombers could also chip in some salary to offload him.

There remains a chance the deal falls over, if the terms cannot be agreed.

Stringer’s manager, Robbie D’Orazio from Connors Sports, pushed for a contract extension for the forward at Essendon but was knocked back, sparking talks with rivals.

The hard line stance from the Bombers signalled the likely end of his time at Tullamarine as coach Brad Scott looks to invest in more youth at the club.

The Bombers have pick nine and will attempt to nab one of the country’s most exciting playmakers before snaring exciting academy prospect Isaac Kako, giving it at least two top-line talents.

Stringer looks on his way to a third club. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

If the club suspects a bid will come for Kako before pick nine, the Bombers may look to make a live trade on draft night to jump up the order to help safeguard its first selection.

While the trade will deliver GWS one of the competition’s most dynamic goal kickers in Stringer, Essendon will move in a new direction in attack around second-year star Nate Caddy, Kyle Langford, Peter Wright, Jade Gresham and speedy Kako in attack.

Fringe midfielder Ben Hobbs, and midfielder Elijah Tsatas will also eye more game time at Essendon next year in Stringer’s absence after struggling to cement a senior position in 2024.

Stringer also has family to consider with two children to his current partner and two with his former partner.

Stringer told the Herald Sun earlier this year he wanted to stay at Essendon after helping round out his game under Scott.

But the club has signalled the desire for more change after falling out of the eight after a disappointing second half of the season.

The stance from the Bombers will likely act as a spur for Stringer who will form a dangerous partnership with Jesse Hogan and Jake Riccardi at GWS.

Stringer said he had plenty of fuel left in the tank.

“I think I’ve got three or four really good years left in me,” Stringer said in May.

“I’m becoming a more rounded player, I’m starting to find a groove with this young team. It doesn’t feel like I’ve hit my ceiling yet.”

GWS has ample salary cap room after the departures of Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming and James Peatling.