Jake Stringer and Jesse Hogan's careers to date follow an eerily similar path.
Both were drafted in 2012. Both have played for three clubs. Explosive forwards. Dealt with off-field dramas. Reached the pinnacles of football. Even their first names start with the letter 'J'.
And now, they'll line up alongside one another for the first time on Saturday against Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium.
It's funny how football works.
Hogan's career began with a bang at Melbourne, kicking 152 goals in his first 71 games.
He entered the struggling Demons as part of the 2012 mini-draft, a special intake of players who were in their age 17 season that was created as part of GWS' expansion concessions.
Hogan spent time in the VFL before playing his first game in 2015, kicking 44 goals in his maiden campaign, claiming the Rising Star Award.
There were no signs of the second-year blues as the Claremont product backed up his performance with another 41 majors in 2016.
But personal matters started to see the decline of Hogan's on-field performance as he endured the passing of his father and was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2017.
Returning to his best, the professional forward kicked a career-high 47 goals as the Demons returned to the finals in 2018, but the lure of home was too much to pass up, and he was successfully traded to Fremantle.
Hogan's time at the Dockers was short-lived, failing to see out his three-year contract, playing a total of 19 games for 18 majors before eyeing the Giants as his next destination.
Hogan was traded for Pick 54.
Since making the switch to the Giants, Hogan has been a beacon for the expansion club in the front half, slotting 181 goals in 75 outings, including a career-high 77 in 2024, which earned him the Coleman medal.
The 30-year-old has lived the ultimate highs and lows of life, and football, but has shown how it can be turned around.
Looking into the mirror, Stringer's dozen years in the AFL have run parallel to his new teammate.
Beginning at the Western Bulldogs after being taken with Pick 5, the man referred to as 'The Package' quickly asserted himself onto the competition, claiming an All-Australian blazer in 2015 and premiership 12 months later.
But returning underdone and not reaching the heights of the two years prior, Stringer found himself on the outer of Luke Beveridge's side and was traded to Essendon with a year to go on his contract.
In there lay arguably one of the game's biggest teases as an unfit 'Package' failed to deliver on what everyone had become accustomed to during his time in the blue, white and red.
Aside from his last year in the sash, Stringer didn't play more than 20 games for the Bombers in any given season, but he kicked tallies of 41, 33 and 30 as a mid-sized forward.
Last year, after a full season under Brad Scott, he won matches off his own boot, recording 42 majors in 23 games.
Off the back of his consistent performances, with a year to run on his contract, Stringer wanted a greater commitment from the Bombers, and hoped to extend his time at the Hangar beyond 2025.
Essendon resisted, forcing the Bendigo Pioneers product to look for a fresh start.
Stringer was traded for Pick 53.
On Saturday, Adam Kingsley and GWS fans will finally get to see the forward duo in full flight, after injuries curtailed their start to the 2025 season.
Ironically, Hogan broke his thumb in a freak accident, and Stringer hurt his hamstring on the eve of the season.
"Two for one deal, when I did my hammy, he broke his thumb," Stringer said on Friday.
"But I think in all fairness it will take a bit of time (to connect on the field). From early in the pre-season, we seem to mix and match well.
"We're looking forward to getting out there and play good footy together."
The Giants have been agonisingly close to winning that elusive premiership.
Could Stringer be the final piece of the puzzle?
