Revealed: Stringer’s off-field concern at GWS

There had been an “erosion of trust” between Jake Stringer and some of his GWS teammates.

It stems from a business venture that went wrong despite investment from current Giants and Stringer’s former Essendon colleagues.

The Stringer story comes amid talk from Damian Barrett on Channel 9 that Collingwood are somewhat interested in his services given he is yet to re-sign with GWS.

It also comes after SEN’s Sam Edmund recently alluded to a curiosity surrounding Stringer’s future.

SEN’s Tom Morris clarified on Monday night that whatever trust had been eroded has since been restored.

“Jake Stringer had a business venture, which didn't go well,” Morris said on Channel 7’s Agenda Setters.

“He had a number of players involved in this business venture across the Giants, and also Essendon. I also believe he asked some Giants coaches to be involved as well, and it just didn't work out.

“These players were invested in it, financially.”

What was the business?

“I use the word supplements, but it was salmon or fish oil, things like that,” Morris added.

“It just didn't work out, and this was a few months ago now, and it just caused some issues within the Giants because players put their money in to trust Jake Stringer.

“Jake Stringer, who I've spoken to tonight, in fairness, I got a call from him, we chatted for about 20 minutes, he assures me these players have been paid back, but there has been some erosion of trust from the people I've spoken to, from the teammates of Jake Stringer in Jake Stringer based on what happened.

“I don't think it's a massive issue, but I just wanted to clarify what that was.”

Agenda Setter panellist Nick Riewoldt asked: “So if there's a breakdown in trust with your your teammates and ex-teammates, you go into a business, you go in eyes wide open, you understand there's an element of risk.

“If they've lost trust, is there any suggestion of misappropriation of any of the funds?”

Morris continued: “Look, the money's been paid back. Jake Stringer assured me of that, I've got no reason to doubt him.

“He had to apologise.

“Where the money went is irrelevant now because they've got it back.

“In the eyes of the players that I've spoken to, they've been paid back, so they're ok.

“It’s a challenge for the teammates of Jake Stringer and Jake Stringer at the time.

“I want to make it very clear, whatever trust was lost in that moment, Jake Stringer assures me that it’s been made back, but it was a difficult time.”

Kane Cornes then wanted to know that if the trust had dissipated so much that it would impact his chances of a new Giants deal.

Cornes: “Did he admit to that when you spoke to him, what was that conversation?”

Morris: “He doesn't believe that he lost the trust of teammates, I've spoken to players who believe otherwise.”

Cornes: “If he doesn't believe that, what's the hold up on re-signing him?

“He’s equal 14th on the Coleman Medal list, he's kicked 40 goals, he's 32 years of age, the Giants need as many senior players as they can get, so clearly, if the Giants haven't re-signed him, they are not certain they want to move forward with him.

“Did he acknowledge that?”

Morris replied: “Yeah, he did, and (GWS head of footy) Jason McCartney has also acknowledged that they won't talk about his contract until the end of the year.

“I don't think there's any certainty that Jake Stringer - he didn't say this to me - but I don't think there's any certainty that he wants to be at the Giants next year, he's a free agent, he can on wherever he wants and if you've been at three clubs you may as well be at a fourth.

“That hopefully wraps a bow around what’s happened.”

Western Bulldogs premiership player Stringer, 32, is at his third club after a seven-year stint with Essendon, but is yet to pen a new GWS contract.