Jake Stringer’s contract situation at Essendon is one to watch as the year unfolds.
Sportsday host Sam McClure understands that rival clubs are aware that Stringer, who joined the Bombers from the Western Bulldogs in 2017, is coming out of contract.
Given Stringer played just 10 games last season and has been troubled by soft tissue injuries – what is the forward worth?
“I did want to raise a contract situation which is starting to spread to rival clubs,” McClure told Sportsday.
“Jake Stringer is out of contract, it’s the end of his four-year deal that he signed to move from the Western Bulldogs to Essendon.
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“He’s on just over $500,000 which for Jake Stringer, remember he just came off the back of 50-plus goals, then kicked 40-plus goals and winning a flag.
“He hasn’t been able to emulate that same form – he hasn’t finished inside the top 10 in the best and fairest at Essendon since he’s arrived there, but he’s also had some had some troubles with injury.
“He’s 27, he’s looking for a new deal and his value is pretty hard to quantify.
“I think both parties – his management and Essendon – are wondering where to start negotiating. I think he’s looking for a long-term deal, I’m not sure Essendon want to give him that long-term deal, particularly if he wants a pay rise.
“I think he’ll stay at Essendon, for how long, I’m not sure.”
Essendon great Tim Watson “would hate” to see Stringer depart Tullamarine as he feels the penny has dropped for the 27-year-old.
“What’s he worth then? He’s a match-winning, game-changing type player," he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Is he a $600,000-$700,000 player? I think the penny has actually dropped for him. I think he’s become a really mature young man and really understands what a professional is required to do to play at the elite level.
“Sometimes the penny just takes a while to drop for certain players, I think it’s dropped for him.
“He’s in the best physical shape when you look at him that he’s ever been in. He’s got an injury at the moment which is a hamstring injury which is a concern – and he’s had a number of soft tissue injuries as well which you’ve got to calculate into the whole process of trying to determine what he’s worth.
“I would hate to see Essendon lose him, though. But putting a value on him is a really difficult thing.”
Now into his fourth season at Essendon, Stringer has kicked 90 goals in 55 games.
Stringer’s teammate, Irving Mosquito, has reportedly taken indefinite leave from the club.
Fox Footy is reporting that Mosquito, 20, has returned home to family and friends in Halls Creek in Western Australia.
The forward, who is out of contract at season's end, is currently sidelined after rupturing his ACL last season.
