An AFL great has questioned why Jake Stringer should be “rewarded” with a lucrative contract extension amid questions on his professionalism as the Bombers forward’s football future hangs in the air.
Contract talks for 2025 between Stringer and Essendon have officially dragged into the post-season, with coaching great Mick Malthouse sensationally declaring the club should let the 30-year old walk.
It follows reports from earlier this year that Stringer was seeking a three-year deal, while many have suggested the dynamic Bomber would be better suited to one-season contracts from here on in to keep him motivated and allow him to perform better.
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Essendon’s handlings with Stringer sparked debate from Fox Footy pundits on Saturday night after he recorded five disposals against Brisbane as the 11th-placed Bombers’ campaign officially ended with 11 wins, 11 losses and a draw.
Western Bulldogs legend Brad Johnson suggested Stringer, who’s 42 goals in 2024 mark his best return since moving from the Bulldogs to Essendon at the end of 2017, warrants a multi-year deal worth around $700,000-$800,000 per season.
But Johnson acknowledged he understands the Bombers’ approach to keep him “on that little bit of edge” to ensure he’s at his best.
Johnson also pointed out Stringer committed to getting his body in great shape earlier in the season but that ge appears to have faded physically as the year’s gone on.
And so Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton questioned why the Bombers should offer Stringer “a longer contract” if he can’t maintain peak physical shape across the campaign.
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“You’ve got a bloke who has prepared himself beautifully in Round 1 and his body looks like it’s carrying pounds by the end of the year,” Brereton said on Fox Footy.
“He might have injuries, but why can’t he look after himself during the year? That’s not professional. If you are a professional why do you let your body go like that during the season?
“I’m trying to ascertain why you reward somebody with a longer contract who year in, year out let’s his physical prowess fade away in season.
“This era is littered with players who say they are playing in the professional era. Then we hear stories thereafter of they couldn’t train but banged in four burgers during the week outside of meal time.
“That’s not professional, I don’t know why we tolerate it.
“It’s not professional to let your body deteriorate during the season. Even if you’re injured, you modify what you put in it in terms of food, you modify the way you train and keep your body fat at the right level.
“We were doing that in the 80s. And people say this is the professional era? Give me a spell.”
Johnson responded by highlighting it’s the dilemma the Bombers would now be weighing up while risking another club entering the sweepstakes.
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“That’s why Essendon is asking itself what to do and what to offer: ‘Do we keep him on edge and offer one? Or if him a bit of security and give him three?’,” the Dogs great said.
“If they offer him one, we know anther club may come in and offer him three years to try and get something different out of him, that’s a possibility.
“It’s up in the air, we sit now and wait over the next couple of weeks to see what is presented to him and what decision he makes for his football future.
“I was on one-year deals from the age of 30 to 35 and it didn’t worry me one bit to be honest with you. Maybe it’s a call he makes as an individual.”
Indigenous legend Eddie Betts suggested Stringer would be best suited to a one-year extension.
“Keep him on edge, make sure he’s doing everything right during the week, with his body and the whole lot, if it’s injuries,” Betts said on Fox Footy.
“So he’s coming on and performing … I think once you hit 30 you should know your career is coming to an end sooner rather than later.”
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