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GWS confirm interest in rival star, trio of Giants unlikely to move: AFL trade news

The Giants appear as big movers in the 2024 free agency and trade periods.

Published by
Aidan Cellini

GWS list boss Jason McCartney has confirmed the club's interest in potentially luring wantaway Essendon forward Jake Stringer to the club.

Stringer's camp has made it known that he is willing to explore his options despite hitting a contract trigger that locks him away for 2025.

The former Bulldog is after more security, hoping to get a deal that is longer than one season, which is where the Giants come in.

Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, McCartney admitted there has been "preliminary" communication between the two but has yet to progress further.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 16: Jason McCartney, List Manager of the Giants speaks to the media during the Telstra AFL Trade Period at Marvel Stadium on October 16, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

"Obviously, you and many people know I've had a long association through my previous role at the (Western) Bulldogs with the team that drafted Jake a long time ago," McCartney told Gettable on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio.

"I'll be brutally honest, there's been some preliminary chats a few weeks ago with his management, which, whether that progresses any further or not, whilst 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.

"There's still a few other things we're looking at as well. It's all got to fit into the bigger piece of the puzzle. Trade Period actually doesn't even start until next Monday, so there's a bit to play out."

McCartney has had his hands full with the departures of Harry Perryman (Collingwood) and Isaac Cumming (Adelaide) via free agency.

The AFL confirmed the Giants received Pick 16 (currently) for Perryman but are waiting for confirmation for Cumming.

James Peatling

Elsewhere, Conor Stone (Essendon), Xavier O'Halloran (Western Bulldogs), Wade Derksen (Melbourne) and James Peatling (Adelaide) have all been linked to moves, with the latter requesting a trade to South Australia to join Cumming.

McCartney hasn't had a chance to sit down with the Crows regarding Peatling but understands they were offering a "great opportunity and a long-term contract" that is hard to pass up.

As for the other trio, the GWS list boss is confident they will remain in orange for 2025.

"We still are confident he (Conor Stone) will stay, but he hasn't as yet accepted the contract. He has seen a couple of players depart that he could quite comfortable filly those roles. We are keen for him to continue on with us."

"Yep, we see him (Xavier O'Halloran) staying. Same with Wade.

"We feel like we are in good shape with our boys, we haven't got a lot coming out next year. The core is locked away for a number of years. We just need to add to it."

McCartney also revealed that the club is working through extending Finn Callaghan's time at the Giants beyond 2025, as rivals are preparing monster offers to lure him away.

The 2024 trade period opens Monday, October 7.

Published by
Aidan Cellini