Jake Stringer is closing in on a deal with a fourth club as St Kilda bolsters its forward line with uncertainty over Max King and ruck-forward Rowan Marshall moving to Geelong.
Stringer moved on from Greater Western Sydney when the club decided to turn a new page with an influx of youth despite his 48-goal season.
But St Kilda is expected to sign Stringer as the club attempts to bounce back up the ladder after a trade period of little action apart from allowing Marshall to leave and securing Brisbane academy player Sam Marshall.
Stringer was given a rousing endorsement from teammate Jesse Hogan last week, who told Code Sports that Stringer was now a “family man” despite a chequered past at the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.
He has barely put a foot out of line at GWS but did have to repay some money over a failed investment to some players during a spectacular 48-goal, 23-game season.
Stringer had been keen to get to Collingwood in the back end of the season but instead St Kilda has emerged as his expected landing spot, with the 32-year-old able to sign as a delisted free agent.
St Kilda has picks 10 and 16 but bringing in Stringer as a ready-made prospect who can help lessen the load on King is a canny list play.
His manager Robbie D’Orazio told the Herald Sun’s Trade Secrets podcast this year he believed his client had as many as three seasons left in him.
“Jake’s obviously playing great footy and like always you’ll back him in until you’re told otherwise (at GWS). So I think there’s still room for a Jake Stringer in anyone’s list. He’s probably competing at the moment at the top end,” he said.
“I personally would go and have a look at him in a team that can get the ball inside 50. I know on numerous occasions he has just made things happen pretty miraculously. I know one club who would really benefit from having him on their list.”
“I think if a club did take him I think he would kick 40 to 50 goals. He might have three (years left in him). He’s a pretty honest player, Jake. He is straight up in terms of how his performance is going and he even sent me some texts the other day about some stats (about his defensive pursuits). I think Jake has still got a bit of footy left in him.”
Hogan said despite his past history Stringer had been a fine teammate and caused no trouble at the Giants in his two seasons at the club.
“If you are another club, I couldn’t understand why you wouldn’t give him a go,” Hogan said.
“I think he played every game this year and that is probably one of the things in his career that people looked at and thought maybe that was an issue. But he’s a family man now. He’s actually quite professional.
“He’s really switched on. I have been focusing on my own contract and trying to find a home but it was in the back of my mind and obviously I have spent a lot of time with Jakey. But I hope he does find a spot.”
Stringer would join his mate Hogan in playing for a fourth club this century, joining the likes of Jacob Townsend, Tom Hickey and Ben Hudson as players to play a game for four AFL clubs.