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Jake Stringer, who finished top 10 in the Coleman Medal race with 48 goals in 2026, is currently without an AFL contract. The former Bulldog and Bomber returned to Victoria for family reasons but has received no offers, suggesting he may play local footy if no club picks him up. However, player manager Liam Pickering believes Stringer is an ideal candidate for the supplemental selection period, urging him to stay fit and prove himself during the off-season.
The 32-year-old has one of the best years of his career in 2026, kicking 48 goals to finish 11th in the Coleman Medal race. Download today Stringer announced before the end of the season he intended to head back home to Victoria for family reasons, but made it clear he still has the fire burning within to keep competing at the highest level.
The hybrid forward said at the time he thinks he has "quite a few more years left" in his career - but he won't have any if there are no takers.
No Suitors Await Jake Stringer
"Jake Stringer finished top 10 in the Coleman Medal this year and still (has) no offers forthcoming for him," Mitch Cleary told"He's just returned from overseas, he's moved back to Victoria officially as of the weekend. "Right now, (there are) no suitors, so at this point in time, he's set to play local footy if nothing is forthcoming.
"But clubs do get desperate late, so I could see a world where someone comes in the last few hours (of the period). " Stringer was originally drafted to the Bulldogs with pick No.5 in the 2012 draft and played 89 games in five years at the Kennel, including the 2016 premiership, before moving to Essendon ahead of the 2018 season.
The 2015 All-Australian had an up and down stint at the Bombers, but ultimately still won the club's goalkicking award three times before being essentially put on the scrapheap at the end of 2024. That's when the Giants took a punt on him and rediscovered some of his best form across the past two seasons.
Mitch Cleary on Jake Stringer
"I think for any club that does take a punt on Jake Stringer, he seems like the type of player that you might want him as a train-on and train until February and prove yourself and show your fitness and come in committed, and then potentially a club (could take him)," Tom Mitchell told The Agenda Setters. Player manager Liam Pickering said Stringer would be the perfect player to bring in through the supplemental selection period (SSP).
"You show us you can stay really fit, Jake, and if we've got a list spot, we'll give you an opportunity to train with us. "
Jake Stringer AFL Coleman Medal Bulldogs Essendon GWS Giants Supplemental Selection Period Liam Pickering Tom Mitchell
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