Traded #25: Jake Stringer - 📦 Traded to GWS for Pick #53 - 16/10

[faible]

Whilst many of our players have had interrupted pre-seasons it sounds like Stringer is as fit as he's ever been in his time here

AFL 2020: Jake Stringer Essendon, best pre-season ever, Bombers injuries

In the midst of his club’s wretched summer injury run, Essendon gun Jake Stringer says he’s never been in better shape after experiencing one of his best and smoothest pre-seasons of his AFL career.

www.foxsports.com.au

In the midst of his club’s wretched summer injury run, Essendon gun Jake Stringer says he’s never been in better shape after experiencing one of his best and smoothest pre-seasons of his AFL career.

A host of key Bombers have, at different stages over the past few months, battled a range of injuries or suffered setbacks, including Joe Daniher (groin), Cale Hooker (hip), Dylan Shiel (knee) David Zaharakis (knee), Dyson Heppell (foot), Michael Hurley (shoulder) and Orazio Fantasia (hip).

However Stringer, who battled foot, knee and hamstring issues to play 19 of a possible 23 games in 2019, has not just been a constant presence on the track, but also one of Essendon’s best trainers.

In his eighth AFL pre-season, Stringer recently ran a personal best in the 2km time trial, slashing a whopping 20 seconds off his previous top time.

Asked on SEN Breakfast how he was going physically, Stringer cheekily said: “I’m borderline flying at the minute … nah I’m going well.”

The 25-year-old said it’d been “one of the hardest pre-seasons I’ve ever done”. He hailed the influence of the Bombers’ new head of strength and conditioning Sean Murphy, who’s come across from Hawthorn and “really tested us physically and mentally”.

“Not being injured is a massive part and I don't think I've missed a session the whole pre-season, which is all you can ask for when you go into a pre-season is complete as many sessions as you can. I’d be probably in the top one or two at the club that hasn’t missed,” Stringer told SEN on Friday morning.

Asked if it’d been one of his smoothest AFL pre-seasons yet, Stringer declared: “Yeah, by far.

“Last year was pretty good, but this year’s been taken to a new level with Sean Murphy coming across. He's really pushed the boundaries with me.

“It's been a hard slog and, don't worry, I'm looking forward to playing and getting out of this pre-season phase.”

Even though Stringer is “flying”, he said seven or eight teammates are still not in full training, but the “majority of them were running”.

“Not everything's gone to plan, obviously. There's been a few blokes that are still not quite into full training, but that's part of football and part of the pre-season. You’ve just got to deal with whatever comes,” Stringer said.

He later added: “We’re in a great position to able to springboard into the season and hopefully get a few more of these top echelon blokes back.”

The first-round draft pick kicked 98.55 for the Bulldogs in 2015 and 2016 before being traded ahead of the 2018 season to the Bombers, where he’s spent recent summers training with the on-ballers.

Stringer said the plan was still for him to play a mixture of midfield and forward minutes this season, but added he’d been training primarily with the attacking group this pre-season and “honing in on my craft as a forward”.

Stringer said Essendon’s succession plan, which will see senior coach John Worsfold gradually hand the reins to assistant Ben Rutten throughout 2020, was working well. He said Worsfold was at the club everyday and engaged with the players, but Rutten took charge of all tactical discussions and meetings.

“The work that John and Ben have done together has been absolutely outstanding and literally the smoothest transition that you could possibly ever see. It's a credit to both of them how well it's actually gone,” Stringer said.

“I couldn’t be happier with where the club is at the minute.”

Stringer said there’d be a noticeable but not dramatic change to the club’s game plan this season.

“It’ll definitely be a lot more consistent,” Stringer said.

“From a whole learning (process) and even in training, you’re seeing it more and more every time we’re doing bits of match ‘sim’. I think it’ll be very noticeable when people come to watch us.”

 

[Mercurial89]

How do you think his game will translate to the Giants style of play?
I've noticed his inside 50 tackle numbers are pretty decent and obviously 42 goals is very good.

But do you think that he will perform as a 3rd/4th target well?

He will win you a few games off his boot alone, he's still capable of the extraordinary.

You also have enough talent and are a well run team that his down games shouldn't influences results too much.

Don't expect a model of consistency, nothing in his career shows he is capable of it.

We needed him to be everything for us due to a general lack of talent and system. When he wasn't there was no one to pick up the slack, that's not on him.
Wish him all the best with you guys, I reckon he will put on a Few shows.

 

[PaythePerryman]

He will win you a few games off his boot alone, he's still capable of the extraordinary.

You also have enough talent and are a well run team that his down games shouldn't influences results too much.

Don't expect a model of consistency, nothing in his career shows he is capable of it.

We needed him to be everything for us due to a general lack of talent and system. When he wasn't there was no one to pick up the slack, that's not on him.
Wish him all the best with you guys, I reckon he will put on a Few shows.

Thanks mate. I remember our 2021 season was pretty much that with Toby Greene...if he wasn't on....it was lights out for us.
I think with Hogan, Cadman, Greene and Daniels there he should get a pretty favourable match up week to week.

Can't say I've been watching Essendon games consistently enough to know exactly what we are getting but have seen Stringer stand up in some pretty big games.
Whether or not he can be bothered in front of 10k people or not ....we will find out.
I do think Kingsley might be the right style of coach for him though.

 

[Call Me Cake]

Thanks mate. I remember our 2021 season was pretty much that with Toby Greene...if he wasn't on....it was lights out for us.
I think with Hogan, Cadman, Greene and Daniels there he should get a pretty favourable match up week to week.

Can't say I've been watching Essendon games consistently enough to know exactly what we are getting but have seen Stringer stand up in some pretty big games.
Whether or not he can be bothered in front of 10k people or not ....we will find out.
I do think Kingsley might be the right style of coach for him though.

Hasn't had two 40+ goal seasons in a row since 2017 and he isn't going to start doing it again at the wrong end of 30.

You'll get a human version of his favourite snack (Zinger Box), meaning you'll get a little bit of everything but you'll be left hungry for more.

Good luck though!

 

[yodellinhank]

He will win you a few games off his boot alone, he's still capable of the extraordinary.

Easy to forget that he wins games off his own boot while thinking about where we'll find another 42 goals.

 

[84859300]

wholly agree that scott likely felt underwhelmed by jake’s efforts in big games - he has a few cracking games in 2024 but ultimately never achieved the consistency we would’ve liked. playing him out of necessity vs earning a spot

It wasn't only Scott that was underwhelmed.

Blind Freddy noted week in and out that String was at the back of every contest, standing still and looking to take a specky to add to his tally. Not very team orinetated in our weekest area of the ground.

I'm glad he played for us - but I'm also glad he has been moved on.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Hasn't had two 40+ goal seasons in a row since 2017 and he isn't going to start doing it again at the wrong end of 30.

You'll get a human version of his favourite snack (Zinger Box), meaning you'll get a little bit of everything but you'll be left hungry for more.

Good luck though!

Yeah totally understand that's the most likely outcome here.
I think the Giants have boosted ambitions in this area after the turn around we got our of Hogan once he was removed from the limelight and got some consistency.
Not really the same situation at all but I can see the upside if he does get rolling. Defensive efforts will be the main thing I'll be looking for early. If he's dragging guys away from Hogan....I'm happy.

 

[BrunoV]

Yeah, I don't do Blitz. Thanks for the summary. Let's hope Scotty is right. I honestly think if he is coaching to keep his job rather than focussing on the longterm, his he might have tried harder to keep Stringer. I also don't think Scott liked Stringer very much. BrunoV whatddyareckon?

He wants to get younger in year 3?

If he starts with something resembling a plan now, it might work by 2028 when is when we can target winning a final. He will get the benefit of a club that will be paralyzed by the inability to make the decision to sack a coach. Things are looking good for Brad as he will have milked us for millions of dollars in that time.

 

[yodellinhank]

Yeah totally understand that's the most likely outcome here.
I think the Giants have boosted ambitions in this area after the turn around we got our of Hogan once he was removed from the limelight and got some consistency.
Not really the same situation at all but I can see the upside if he does get rolling. Defensive efforts will be the main thing I'll be looking for early. If he's dragging guys away from Hogan....I'm happy.

Jake doesn't do dragging guys away. Our forward line setup with Stringer was awful, he doesn't move and invites guys back to a contest. Best Hogan can hope for is Jake decoys somewhere out of the way and the opposition choose to pay him attention. When they don't he might kick 3 or 4 goals and "win the game off his own boot" in some easily forgettable H&A match.

 

[yodellinhank]

He wants to get younger in year 3?

If he starts with something resembling a plan now, it might work by 2028 when is when we can target winning a final. He will get the benefit of a club that will be paralyzed by the inability to make the decision to sack a coach. Things are looking good for Brad as he will have milked us for millions of dollars in that time.

Year three of... 8 was it? Or does the plan reset again now? (ant555 please jog my memory...)

 

[ant555]

Year three of... 8 was it? Or does the plan reset again now? (ant555 please jog my memory...)

It will reset at the end of the year if the "core" players that where supposed to be together for 8 years are gone.

 

[jdstorm]

Thanks mate. I remember our 2021 season was pretty much that with Toby Greene...if he wasn't on....it was lights out for us.
I think with Hogan, Cadman, Greene and Daniels there he should get a pretty favourable match up week to week.

Can't say I've been watching Essendon games consistently enough to know exactly what we are getting but have seen Stringer stand up in some pretty big games.
Whether or not he can be bothered in front of 10k people or not ....we will find out.
I do think Kingsley might be the right style of coach for him though.

Honestly he’ll be great for ya.

Likes to float around undefended and cherry-pick his involvement. Smart enough that it works out enough.

At Essendon that hurt as we needed him as a key structural cog. For you guys as a 4th-6th option forward who gets a CBA or two when you needed he’ll be great.

Probably gets 60 goals against the worst oppo defender next year.

Edit: in terms of Essendon we struggled to fit Jake and Langford in the same forward line. We also couldn’t consistently move the ball in effectively. Needed him as a mid (which he’s capable of for about 5 minutes a game until he gets tired)

 

[PaythePerryman]

Honestly he’ll be great for ya.

Likes to float around undefended and cherry-pick his involvement. Smart enough that it works out enough.

At Essendon that hurt as we needed him as a key structural cog. For you guys as a 4th-6th option forward who gets a CBA or two when you needed he’ll be great.

Probably gets 60 goals against the worst oppo defender next year.

Edit: in terms of Essendon we struggled to fit Jake and Langford in the same forward line. We also couldn’t consistently move the ball in effectively. Needed him as a mid (which he’s capable of for about 5 minutes a game until he gets tired)

Yeah here's hoping.

He has the first two rounds without any competition for his spot until Riccardi comes back.

I agree with you that he probably suits being a 'cream' player rather than one of our reliable key cogs like Hogan/Cadman/Greene.

As long as he can keep up with the pace of our game style I think there will be weeks where he will torch some of the weaker defenders while the true lockdown guys focus on Toby or getting across to help against Hogan.

I think he also allows us to send Toby into the mid for bursts without losing too much potency up forward I that midsize role.

I could also see none of this working and being a complete waste of time if his attitude/fitness isn't there

 

[faible]

Yeah here's hoping.

He has the first two rounds without any competition for his spot until Riccardi comes back.

I agree with you that he probably suits being a 'cream' player rather than one of our reliable key cogs like Hogan/Cadman/Greene.

As long as he can keep up with the pace of our game style I think there will be weeks where he will torch some of the weaker defenders while the true lockdown guys focus on Toby or getting across to help against Hogan.

I think he also allows us to send Toby into the mid for bursts without losing too much potency up forward I that midsize role.

I could also see none of this working and being a complete waste of time if his attitude/fitness isn't there

So long as Kingsley and the side aren't expecting him to be something he's not - a hard running midfielder or half forward for example - he'll be good.

Greene and Stringer in the same forward line could be extremely entertaining to watch as both are capable of having huge quarters.

GWS are a side I enjoy watching, and that year they made the GF was excellent for theme song memes, so I'd love to see Jake in the 2025 GF.

 

[yodellinhank]

GWS are a side I enjoy watching, and that year they made the GF was excellent for theme song memes, so I'd love to see Jake in the 2025 GF.

...sprint. Chasing a slice of pizza, but AI won't draw it for me.

 

[jdstorm]

Yeah here's hoping.

He has the first two rounds without any competition for his spot until Riccardi comes back.

I agree with you that he probably suits being a 'cream' player rather than one of our reliable key cogs like Hogan/Cadman/Greene.

As long as he can keep up with the pace of our game style I think there will be weeks where he will torch some of the weaker defenders while the true lockdown guys focus on Toby or getting across to help against Hogan.

I think he also allows us to send Toby into the mid for bursts without losing too much potency up forward I that midsize role.

I could also see none of this working and being a complete waste of time if his attitude/fitness isn't there

Jakes probably the guy to burst through the mids. If

Yeah here's hoping.

He has the first two rounds without any competition for his spot until Riccardi comes back.

I agree with you that he probably suits being a 'cream' player rather than one of our reliable key cogs like Hogan/Cadman/Greene.

As long as he can keep up with the pace of our game style I think there will be weeks where he will torch some of the weaker defenders while the true lockdown guys focus on Toby or getting across to help against Hogan.

I think he also allows us to send Toby into the mid for bursts without losing too much potency up forward I that midsize role.

I could also see none of this working and being a complete waste of time if his attitude/fitness isn't there

Yeah he’s more expired cream. It’s a bit tangy which keeps things interesting. Also might give you the runs.

Given his history Jake doesn’t play a gamestyle. Jake plays Jakeball. Jake will expect Hogan, Cadman, Tobey ect to act as decoys for him. He will just hang out in dangerous space and wait for the ball.

The orange tsunami effectively moving the ball forward quickly is going to get him a lot of good ball and he’s a good user. Will kick a bunch of goals due to this

Doesn’t really pressure but strong enough to stick tackles if he’s close.

Physically imposing in a way most players can’t be. Will likely get more CBAs than Tobey because he’s better than him. Tank the big question.

His attitude likely won’t be there but he’s a smart footballer and will make your team better in a way few do when he’s on the field

 

[PaythePerryman]

Jakes probably the guy to burst through the mids. If


Yeah he’s more expired cream. It’s a bit tangy which keeps things interesting. Also might give you the runs.

Given his history Jake doesn’t play a gamestyle. Jake plays Jakeball. Jake will expect Hogan, Cadman, Tobey ect to act as decoys for him. He will just hang out in dangerous space and wait for the ball.

The orange tsunami effectively moving the ball forward quickly is going to get him a lot of good ball and he’s a good user. Will kick a bunch of goals due to this

Doesn’t really pressure but strong enough to stick tackles if he’s close.

Physically imposing in a way most players can’t be. Will likely get more CBAs than Tobey because he’s better than him. Tank the big question.

His attitude likely won’t be there but he’s a smart footballer and will make your team better in a way few do when he’s on the field

Mixed emotions on Stringer.

I saw that his forward 50 pressure/tackles landed 3rd behind our best two in Cadman and Jones but that'll be a motivation thing.

I think playing next to Hogan/Toby there's no way he will be allowed to play 'Jake Ball'. Kingsley will drop him.

CBAs wise....maybe his burst makes him more dangerous from time to time but there is no way he's better than Toby.

Honestly I am fascinated how this will turn out. From the posts here and his history the ceiling is extremely high....but that floor.....THAT FLOOOOOR...seems low.

 

[faible]

Mixed emotions on Stringer.

I saw that his forward 50 pressure/tackles landed 3rd behind our best two in Cadman and Jones but that'll be a motivation thing.

I think playing next to Hogan/Toby there's no way he will be allowed to play 'Jake Ball'. Kingsley will drop him.

CBAs wise....maybe his burst makes him more dangerous from time to time but there is no way he's better than Toby.

Honestly I am fascinated how this will turn out. From the posts here and his history the ceiling is extremely high....but that floor.....THAT FLOOOOOR...seems low.

His pressure is actually not bad for a bloke who's a pseudo-KPP. It's an underrated part of his game IMO.

Jake is absurdly good, when he's good. Enjoy the highs, the rest of the team's system should be good enough to make the lows a non-issue.

 

[yodellinhank]

Mixed emotions on Stringer.

I saw that his forward 50 pressure/tackles landed 3rd behind our best two in Cadman and Jones but that'll be a motivation thing.

I think playing next to Hogan/Toby there's no way he will be allowed to play 'Jake Ball'. Kingsley will drop him.

CBAs wise....maybe his burst makes him more dangerous from time to time but there is no way he's better than Toby.

Honestly I am fascinated how this will turn out. From the posts here and his history the ceiling is extremely high....but that floor.....THAT FLOOOOOR...seems low.

And I think that's it: Kingsley will drop him. He's been moved on from both of the clubs he has played for, and has shown he can't change his spots.

 

[PaythePerryman]

Classic pump up piece early in preseason but we haven't had much news out of the Giants. Looks fit. Looks can be deceiving

 

[katana]

His pressure is actually not bad

it is truly bad. when did you last go to a game and watch him waddle over to the fat side?

 

[yodellinhank]

it is truly bad. when did you last go to a game and watch him waddle over to the fat side?

He was always a little on the fat side anyways

 

[PaythePerryman]

it is truly bad. when did you last go to a game and watch him waddle over to the fat side?

His forward 50 pressure rating from last year will statistically put him as our third best pressure forward after Jones and Cadman.
Not sure how much those numbers mean though. I reckon the eye test in the first few games will tell us more.

I will say that as much as everyone's expecting a big drop off....I'm also seeing a fair few posts that 'he'll show up against us though'.

Here's hoping the team fit gets the best out of him.

 

[faible]

it is truly bad. when did you last go to a game and watch him waddle over to the fat side?

I guess when you want to wade in to make a fat joke reality or reading the sentence written aren't super relevant.

 

[dank420_]

His forward 50 pressure rating from last year will statistically put him as our third best pressure forward after Jones and Cadman.
Not sure how much those numbers mean though. I reckon the eye test in the first few games will tell us more.

I will say that as much as everyone's expecting a big drop off....I'm also seeing a fair few posts that 'he'll show up against us though'.

Here's hoping the team fit gets the best out of him.

He will be great and dons fans will be salty. Enjoy it.

 

[katana]

I guess when you want to wade in to make a fat joke reality or reading the sentence written aren't super relevant.

it's not a fat joke. the openside of the ground as they call it in rugby, fat side is commonly used in afl.