In a shock last-minute trade move, Essendon forward Jake Stringer has found a new home at Greater Western Sydney in exchange for a late draft selection, pick 56.
The deal brings an end to days of intense speculation over Stringer's future, which saw GWS back and forth on their commitment to the trade before ultimately sealing the deal with just minutes left in the 2024 AFL Trade Period.
Essendon initially offered Stringer a one-year extension, but the high-impact forward held out for a two-year dealโa request the Bombers were unwilling to accommodate.
Stringer, who had a standout 2024 season with 42 goals, triggered an extension clause that would have kept him at the Bombers until 2025, but he was keen on added security with a longer deal.
The impasse left the door open for GWS, where Stringer has long-standing ties with Giants' football GM Jason McCartney, a key figure in recruiting him to the Bulldogs in 2012.
The Giants flagged their interest early, but internal hurdles nearly derailed the trade entirely.
The club faced scrutiny after reports emerged of their now-infamous โWacky Wednesdayโ scandal, which involved several players in offensive skits. The fallout from the scandal saw GWS initially withdraw from pursuing Stringer, citing sensitivity around the situation.
However, both Stringer's management and GWS were able to return to negotiations and work through these challenges, with insiders noting that the Giants were eager to bolster their forward line if the right deal could be struck.
After the deal looked dead, Jake Stringer has become a Giant!#Tyrepower #AFLTrade pic.twitter.com/xxXji8nsUg
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) October 16, 2024
The deal ultimately sees GWS acquiring Stringer for just pick 56, a late third-round pick in the upcoming draft.
The trade represents a low-risk, high-reward move for the Giants, who now add the seasoned 30-year-old to their ranks.
Stringer brings both premiership experience and an All-Australian accolade to the clubโa valuable asset for a team looking to continue its premiership push into 2025.
For Essendon, parting ways with Stringer aligns with their focus on building for the future and ridding of external distractions.
The Bombers are looking to invest in younger talent, making pick 56 a potentially useful addition to their draft capital.
In what has been one of the most unpredictable trade periods in recent memory, the finalisation of the Jake Stringer deal with GWS is one of the major headlines of the 2024 AFL offseason.
