Dynamic Essendon forward Jake Stringer is reportedly telling people he has played his last game for the club amid a stand-off over his contract.
Stringer hit a trigger in his current deal that extends his time at the Bombers until the end of 2025, but the powers at the club are unwilling to lengthen the term.
As a result, the man known as 'The Package' has begun shopping around with Collingwood and Sydney, expressing initial interest.
AFL Media's Cal Twomey believes Stringer is seeking a two-year deal and believes that the Pies are well in the hunt for his services.
โHe has hit a trigger for one more season at the Bombers; he has $400,000 on that deal for next year, but he wants more money and a longer term of two years,โ Twomey told AFL.com.au's Gettable.
โJake Stringer is telling people he's played his last game for the Bombers and that he's done there.
โCollingwood has interest in him, Craig McRae, in my understanding, has a keenness on him coming to the club because he kicks goals.
โWe saw him do it on Anzac Day when he was really good against the Pies.
โThere isn't a rush of clubs chasing Stringer. I don't have the Swans as a part of that or being interested, but I do think there'll be a home for him.โ
Stringer kicked 42 goals in 2024 as a hybrid forward, with Brad Scott utilising his power and burst through the midfield at times.
Collingwood's achilles heel has been their issues in front of the ball, with no commanding key forward since Travis Cloke.
Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox have battled wilfully while Dan McStay is overcoming an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that has hampered his time in the black and white.
Mihocek - who has led the goal-kicking for five years (2019-2023) - hasn't kicked more than 47 goals in a season and would benefit from the Stringer inclusion.
Melbourne would also profit from the 2015 All-Australian's presence in their front half as an area in desperate need of improvement.
