AFL trade news: GWS Giants confirm interest in Essendon’s Jake Stringer amid contract stand-off

GWS football boss Jason McCarthy has confirmed the club has held talks over a move for Jake Stringer, with the Essendon forward’s football future in limbo heading into the trade period.

GWS has confirmed it has held talks with Jake Stringer’s management as the three-time Essendon leading goalkicker weighs up his football future.

A day after their cross-town rivals Sydney ruled out a move for the 30-year-old, GWS football boss Jason McCartney confirmed the Giants had held “preliminary” talks about a move for Stringer.

Stringer’s future has become clouded in recent months, with a one-year extension on the table from Essendon.

He is keen to secure a two-year deal.

“Many people know I have had a long association through my previous role at the Bulldogs, the team that drafted Jake a long time ago,” McCartney said.

“I’ll be brutally honest — there’s been some preliminary chats a few weeks ago with his management.

“Whether that progresses any further or not, you’re always looking at any way you can improve your list.

“There’s been a sharper focus in some other areas (that) we’re looking at (at) the moment.”

McCartney said it was “unknown” whether the initial talks would amount to serious interest in Stringer heading to western Sydney.

Jake Stringer’s future is up in the air.

Meanwhile, McCartney told Trade Radio the Giants expected to retain Xavier O’Halloran and Wade Derksen, who have attracted interest from Victorian clubs.

While O’Halloran has not requested a trade, Derksen has been hopeful of joining Melbourne.

The Giants shape as a key player in the exchange period and draft after being handed pick 16 as compensation for losing free agent Harry Perryman to Collingwood.

Isaac Cumming (Adelaide), James Peatling (Adelaide) and Nick Haynes (Carlton) are also on the way out.

McCartney said the club was yet to hold talks with Adelaide about how a potential trade for Peatling would eventuate.

GWS expects a selection after its current second-round pick (36) or at the end of the second-round as compensation for Cumming.

That should be confirmed by the AFL on Friday afternoon.

McCartney said players such as Conor Stone, James Leake and Phoenix Gothard were ready to step up and fill the void left by the club’s departures.

Stone is yet to re-sign though, amid interest from Victorian clubs including Essendon.

Perryman said after his signing was made official:

“Collingwood is the right place for me to progress my football journey and I look forward to meeting the boys and the rest of the program.

“There’s also something special about having the opportunity to play for the team you grew up supporting. I can’t wait to get started.”

Originally published as AFL trade news: GWS Giants confirm interest in Essendon’s Jake Stringer amid contract stand-off