Why clubs should consider signing Jake Stringer, met with Essendon Bombers, Trading Day video, latest news

A dual All-Australian has urged clubs to consider signing free agent veteran forward Jake Stringer.

It comes after the 32-year-old bagged 48 goals in his last year at the Giants; his best haul for a season since his 2015 campaign with the Bulldogs.

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High-profile key forwards Ben King ($1.3 million per season) and Joel Amartey ($750,000) each signed big free agency deals this year, but Stringer, who has prevailed in several metrics compared to that pair, remains without a 2027 home.

Across the past two years, Stringer averaged more disposals per game (11.3) than King and Amartey, more goals (1.9) than Amartey, more score assists (1.1) than both, and more score involvements (6.5) than both.

“(Stringer) is basically free at the moment. You can get him for minimum chips,” Saints great Leigh Montagna told Fox Footy’s Trading Day on Monday night.

“And his scoreboard impact per game is the same as basically Ben King – three goals a game, contributing directly. But yet there are no takers.

“We know this guy is talented. His football is certainly not the issue. Still just 32 years of age, a little bit more footy left in him.

“I’m wondering why there’s been no takers or really looking hard at what this guy can offer a club over the next two seasons.”

Stringer has reportedly met with former club Essendon about a potential reunion, having kicked 207 goals across his 123 games at the club between 2018 and 2024.

Meanwhile, it’s been said St Kilda isn’t considering the 250-gamer after having been linked as a destination that made sense in prospect.

“Clubs probably would just be doing their due diligence and seeing where everything else sits first, because he’s someone who is keen to continue his career – it’s just a matter of where,” AFL Tonight’s David Zita explained.

“We know he’s in Melbourne and wants to be close to the family, so he’s narrowed things down options-wise to that point.

“But it seems like that must be it because it wouldn’t be difficult to get him over the line once you commit to him. It’s just a matter of getting all your ducks in a row first before making that call and doing the due diligence, which we know is always important.”

Code Sports’ Glenn McFarlane added: “It’s incredible, isn’t it, when you think about it … I think he’s more likely to now get a pre-season train-on scenario.”

Montagna said Stringer could have a Tim Membrey-like impact on a club next year, also citing Jack Gunston’s late-career resurgence.

“This guy, he’s still a 40, 50-plus goalkicker a season,” he said.

“I wonder. I know St Kilda ruled themselves out, but clubs that are in that middle band that are looking for (someone like that), a Carlton or a North Melbourne or a team like that that may just want a reliable goal kicker.

“Obviously, we’re talking about his football, and I’m not sure about the whole locker room situation and whether that has put people off, but (it’s still) surprising.”

Former Hawks sharpshooter Ben Dixon added: “(Nate) Caddy, (Isaac) Kako. Would you throw him in that mix? He’s a bit of a chaos player.”

Montagna replied: “Just to kick some goals, just to get some help.”