Essendon livewire Jake Stringer is in negotiations for a new contract at the Bombers, with SEN’s Garry Lyon revealing fresh details on the talks.
Stringer is enjoying his best start to a season since 2021, the year he last penned a contract extension at Essendon.
The 30-year-old’s deal comes to an end this season. A recent report from the Herald Sun had suggested Stringer was pushing for a three-year contract, although Essendon was aware the former Bulldog “can return to pre-seasons out of shape” and his professionalism could dip if given a longer deal.
Buy Lyon, who interviewed Stringer on Monday night on Fox Footy’s On The Couch, insists the Bombers forward is happy with a shorter contract.
“Let me just say this. Anyone who’s suggesting he’s chasing three years is 100 per cent wrong, that’s about all I could glean from it,” Lyon told SEN Breakfast.
“I think he would be very happy and satisfied if he was to get a two-year contract.”
Breakfast co-host Tim Watson added: “Given his past record in conditioning and that type of thing... it’s not unusual that football clubs put players on a one-year contract and they keep playing out one-year deals. We’ve seen that before.”
Stringer was forecast to put his best foot forward given his contract status this year and after getting his body right in pre-season, hasn’t disappointed.
He’s booted 19 goals from 10 games this season, averaging 12.3 disposals per game as a pure impact player.
Essendon’s new list boss Matt Rosa told AFL Media last week that contract discussions with the 2016 premiership player were underway.
“It's another one where we're in conversations with Jake's management team. We're just really pleased with the way Jake's playing but also the headspace he's in and the work he's putting in off-field. He's a much-loved player at Essendon and Jake loves the club also so those talks are progressing well,” Rosa said on Gettable.
Stringer’s resurgence has played a key role in Essendon shooting up the ladder, with the Bombers now eying eight wins from their last nine games should triumph over Richmond in the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G game.