Stringer Trade Worth

[bulldogtragic]

Silly question, should we hire Dodoro? Then it would be tough dealing with us. :D

[hujsh]

Based on what people think he's worth I see no reason to trade Stringer.

I'd rather get nothing in a years time then let him go for unders now.

[GVGjr]

Based on what people think he's worth I see no reason to trade Stringer.

I'd rather get nothing in a years time then let him go for unders now.

There is some merit in that position.

[Happy Days]

Silly question, should we hire Dodoro? Then it would be tough dealing with us. :D

I have absolutely zero confidence in us not getting rolled here, and it's mostly of our own doing. Dodoro, on the other hand, might be hard to deal with, but isn't that a good thing?

[bulldogtragic]

Essendon won't give up Fantasia or Ridley and dealing with them will be a tough negotiation.

Without a lot of thought I think they could offer Pick 11 and Francis for Stringer and our pick 26. Thats about as good as they would offer

Most likely they will offer pick 11 for Stringer and our pick 26.

We should just insist on pick 11

Redman interests me a bit but after 2 seasons he still hasn't cracked it for a senior game with them

We might get pick 47 from them for Crameri but we might only use 4 picks on draft night.

Say we got 11 for Stringer and 47 for Crameri. That could make it interesting if Richmond are open to a points trade...

Richmond Get: 11, 26 & 47 has a 150+ point win.

We have 9, 15, 16 & 39. Khamis & West and our picks next year. That's a solid refresh, mini rebuild or other adjective.

[ledge]

Say we got 11 for Stringer and 47 for Crameri. That could make it interesting if Richmond are open to a points trade...

Richmond Get: 11, 26 & 47 has a 150+ point win.

We have 9, 15, 16 & 39. Khamis & West and our picks next year. That's a solid refresh, mini rebuild or other adjective.

And Trengove :-)

[bulldogtragic]

I have absolutely zero confidence in us not getting rolled here, and it's mostly of our own doing. Dodoro, on the other hand, might be hard to deal with, but isn't that a good thing?

Yep. When you think about it, it like Donald Trump the businessman. You can get bankrupted by a deal, but just tell the shareholders that giving up pick 26 for Crameri (whose walked out) is a tremendous deal. I mean a truly fantastic deal the likes you've never seen before. You going to be sick of this tremendous deal it's so good. It's the likes of which the world has never seen. Believe me.

It would be nice to have a hard edge to our trading, especially when Stringer is under contract.

[bulldogtragic]

And Trengove :-)

Yep. Maybe another free agent too. And then I'd allow Campbell to move (if he wanted) on for any little bit extra we could get.

[GVGjr]

Say we got 11 for Stringer and 47 for Crameri. That could make it interesting if Richmond are open to a points trade...

Richmond Get: 11, 26 & 47 has a 150+ point win.

We have 9, 15, 16 & 39. Khamis & West and our picks next year. That's a solid refresh, mini rebuild or other adjective.

I've looked into the Richmond scenario, they won't necessarily need the points given Naish isn't likely to go top 10.
They can get him with one of their picks and use the other for a needs based player.

Where they might change their mind is if they are confident Naish lasts much later and there is someone at 11 they like their chances of getting.

[bulldogtragic]

I've looked into the Richmond scenario, they won't necessarily need the points given Naish isn't likely to go top 10.
They can get him with one of their picks and use the other for a needs based player.

Where they might change their mind is if they are confident Naish lasts much later and there is someone at 11 they like their chances of getting.

I think my issue with 11 straight is that it's low. I will still sleep at night, and understand Stringer has brought his own value down. Pick 11 doesn't excite me. If we can turn it into something better that's great, even if it's aggressively increasing our picks one way or another.

[FrediKanoute]

I've looked into the Richmond scenario, they won't necessarily need the points given Naish isn't likely to go top 10.
They can get him with one of their picks and use the other for a needs based player.

Where they might change their mind is if they are confident Naish lasts much later and there is someone at 11 they like their chances of getting.

How likely is West as a top 10 pick? Khamis sounds like a gun.

[GVGjr]

How likely is West as a top 10 pick? Khamis sounds like a gun.

At the moment I don't believe West goes first round.
Khamis is very athletic and can take a mark. He's still got a lot to learn which is to be expected

[jeemak]

I have absolutely zero confidence in us not getting rolled here, and it's mostly of our own doing. Dodoro, on the other hand, might be hard to deal with, but isn't that a good thing?


Yep. When you think about it, it like Donald Trump the businessman. You can get bankrupted by a deal, but just tell the shareholders that giving up pick 26 for Crameri (whose walked out) is a tremendous deal. I mean a truly fantastic deal the likes you've never seen before. You going to be sick of this tremendous deal it's so good. It's the likes of which the world has never seen. Believe me.

It would be nice to have a hard edge to our trading, especially when Stringer is under contract.

Whilst I love the Donald reference BT, how easy is to actually negotiate a high stakes or high value deal from an armchair when not at the coal face - with limited information? Very - but it's different at the coal face.

When it comes to player trading we all think we're Donald Trump, but with ethics, and to be honest it makes me cringe. Negotiating is about confidentiality, and disclosure between the parties - neither of which we as fans (in the vast majority of cases) have access to.

In order to disclose you need to have access to information, in order to act confidentially you need to be on the receiving end of trusted information that is actually of value.

Some of this stuff really makes me laugh.

[GVGjr]

SEN News breaker Sam McClure (https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/09/26/stringer-chase-down-to-two/)says Jake Stringer will reveal his club of choice this week, with Geelong and Essendon waiting for a decision from the Western Bulldogs forward and his management.

The Herald Sun reports Stringer has met with Essendon CEO Xavier Campbell, while McClure revealed the Cats made a presentation to him last Monday during preliminary final week, with involvement from coach Chris Scott.

“He has met with two other Victorian clubs – Hawthorn and Richmond, but the race is down to two and it’s a 50/50 race,” McClure said on SEN Breakfast.

“There is no official offer on the table from Geelong or Essendon, but my understanding is by the end of this week, as the Grand Final ball is bounced on Saturday afternoon Jake Stringer will have nominated a club of choice, and it will either be Geelong or Essendon.

“I’m not sure it will be public knowledge but Jake Stringer will tell his management which club he wants to go to.”

Essendon has Pick 11 in the 2017 National Draft, however it would like to keep that selection. Geelong has pick 20, though the Bulldogs feel he is worth considerably more.

[GVGjr]

It's interesting that McClure think Essendon want to keep pick 11 but still chase after Stringer.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Well then i guess we'll find out very soon as to whether our tough talk about enforcing Jake's contract if both Jake and ourselves don't receive a fair offer is just that, or if we mean it.

[bornadog]

It's interesting that McClure think Essendon want to keep pick 11 but still chase after Stringer.

They want him for peanuts. I just hope the club holds firm, we can't just be throwing away a draft pick 5 and having put the work into him over the past 5 years

[GVGjr]

They want him for peanuts. I just hope the club holds firm, we can't just be throwing away a draft pick 5 and having put the work into him over the past 5 years

I think McClure has it all wrong. Essendon will offer pick 11 but want something coming back the other way because they are greedy and unrealistic. I think pick 11 is unders but if we got that and secured Motlop via FA we close the gap a bit.

It's still early and I think it's a good thing that Stringer will nominate a club this week.

I think the club will hold firm if we don't get what we want.

[GVGjr]

SEN are reporting that Motlop has his eyes on going to Port. I think that will rule him out of a being a potential replacement of sorts for Stringer

[Twodogs]

Just heard on SEN that Motlop has nominated Port Adelaide.

[GVGjr]

Would pick 11 from Essendon be way unders for Stringer?

[bulldogtragic]

Would pick 11 from Essendon be way unders for Stringer?

Not way unders, but a little unders. A player we want would be nice and be a more balanced trade.

[Doc26]

Would pick 11 from Essendon be way unders for Stringer?

With two first round selections available and strong word that they have been looking for forward support for Riewoldt, ala Schache, it is interesting that Dan Richardson from Richmond has met with Jake's manager and have determined that they will not be going down that path.


He confirmed the Tigers had shown interest in Stringer but wouldn’t be going further down that path.

“We spoke to his management ... you’re always looking at who’s available and if they’re going to be the right option and fill a need on your list, but we probably felt at the end that Jake’s not filling a specific need for us.

“He’s a very good player but with Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin and some good young players coming through we’ve got that (midfield-forward role) covered fairly well.”

[bulldogtragic]

I wonder if Hawthorn, Collingwood & Richmond knocking him back, Geelong wanting him knowing that can't get him and only Essendon (1 club) wanting him - that if a trade can't get done with Essendon - he realises he's not that much of a package and it reigns him in pulling his finger out.

[ledge]

I love how it says Essendon don't want to give up pick 11.. What club wants to give up a round 1 draft if they can help it ?
I bet Geelong don't want to give up pick 20 either.
Such a stupid statement.
Its also quite wierd how the media have been saying Geelong is his preferred club for two weeks and now they come out and say he will announce which club this weekend sometime.
They don't know they just guess !

[Mofra]

Just heard on SEN that Motlop has nominated Port Adelaide.
I guess Port would want to trade for him then otherwise they lost the Trengove compo.
Or that means we have to trade for Trengove?

[GVGjr]

I guess Port would want to trade for him then otherwise they lost the Trengove compo.
Or that means we have to trade for Trengove?

They might use the Trengove compo pick to trade for Motlop.

[bulldogtragic]

I guess Port would want to trade for him then otherwise they lost the Trengove compo.
Or that means we have to trade for Trengove?

They'd have to match the offer, and force the trade. Or do a nothing trade with Geelong. They did that go get Monfries.

[Doc26]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

[bulldogtragic]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

Cool, so he stays. That's still ok.

[LostDoggy]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

Happy for Stringer to stay. If the above is the case maybe he is also seeing he is not as wanted /rated as first thought and grass isn't quite as green on the other side.

[bulldogtragic]

Happy for Stringer to stay. If the above is the case maybe he is also seeing he is not as wanted /rated as first thought and grass isn't quite as green on the other side.

Yep. Dusty Martin had to come back with his tail between his legs and knuckle down as a player and person. a few years ago. Had an OK Monday night.

[Bulldog4life]

I wonder if Hawthorn, Collingwood & Richmond knocking him back, Geelong wanting him knowing that can't get him and only Essendon (1 club) wanting him - that if a trade can't get done with Essendon - he realises he's not that much of a package and it reigns him in pulling his finger out.

St.Kilda also lost interest after doing their homework I read.

[bulldogtragic]

St.Kilda also lost interest after doing their homework I read.

So St Kilda, Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn & Richmond all seemingly not keen now. Interstate teams out. So there's only 4 clubs, Carlton (tied up with GWS again), North, Essendon (may say he's a 2nd rounder) & Melbourne (all in on Lever) as possible destinations.

Maybe he needs to sit down with the club and work out how he's going to improve. He may not be traded.

[KT31]

Would pick 11 from Essendon be way unders for Stringer?

Last years draft a little under, but this draft is deep with talent so pick 11 would be ok.

[ledge]

So St Kilda, Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn & Richmond all seemingly not keen now. Interstate teams out. So there's only 4 clubs, Carlton, North, Essendon & Melbourne as possible destinations.

Maybe he needs to sit down with the club and work out how he's going to improve.

Prove himself to the coach he is back on track and the club means the world to him.

[GVGjr]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

Essendon will try it on no doubt especially if they are the preferred club. We just need to stick to our guns

[bulldogtragic]

Essendon will try it on no doubt especially if they are the preferred club. We just need to stick to our guns

We can't sit around the trade period waiting for Essendon to maybe or maybe not make a sensible offer. I'd much rather the club tell Essendon its terms and if they say no. That's it. There's only one other club who may be interested, North, and I'm not sure they're giving up pick 4 under any circumstances. So if Essendon don't want him enough, and there's no one else, Stringer should be taken off the table, then:

- his manager made clear no other club values him
- he's contracted and staying
- arrange for a mediation between coaches and Jake
- arrange for a players leadership group meeting and Jake, and then full players meeting


Be stuffed if we are having our plans tied up with Essendon or an Essendon player like last year.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

Holy hell, IF, and that's a big IF, this was part of Bevos plan (obviously plenty of risk factor involved) the mans a genius

[Rocket Science]

It's frightening to ponder whether retaining Jake might've been Bevo's long game all along, but there's an increasingly strong argument him staying - coupled with a significant attitude adjustment - is the most preferable outcome.

It's looking more unlikely we'll garner what he's worth via trade, and more specifically worth to us - and that's partly our fault.

If we're forced to simply take what we can because we've helped make the situation untenable, and Jake ascends to what he's capable of, it'll leave quite the stain on the club, and you can be damn sure our noses will be rubbed in it at every opportunity.

I really hope this charade passes with both player and club finding common ground to their mutual benefit.

[hujsh]

Essendon: "Stringer we think you're worth a second round pick"

Stringer: Mind blown?

Let's hope so

[bulldogtragic]

It's frightening to ponder whether retaining Jake might've been Bevo's long game all along, but there's an increasingly strong argument him staying - coupled with a significant attitude adjustment - is the most preferable outcome.

It's looking more unlikely we'll garner what he's worth via trade, and more specifically worth to us - and that's partly our fault.

If we're forced to simply take what we can because we've helped make the situation untenable, and Jake ascends to what he's capable of, it'll leave quite the stain on the club, and you can be damn sure our noses will be rubbed in it at every opportunity.

I really hope this charade passes with both player and club finding common ground to their mutual benefit.

Well he's fast finding out pretty quickly that he's not the package that other clubs would have in a heart beat, where he's knocking back big contracts offers all over the place. That's got to bring him down to reality that he ain't all that, when all that includes unprofessional behaviour for at least 2 years. He's burned the last chance the club gave him. However, maybe fate will give him one last with us. If so, he better take it because a year of VFL footy will cause headaches for him and his manager next year.

[GVGjr]

Essendon: "Stringer we think you're worth a second round pick"

Stringer: Mind blown?

Let's hope so

If as reported, Essendon are willing to pay him 600K a season then clearly a second round pick won't get it done.
Stringers manager will also want Essendon to be more than reasonable.

I think we will be flat out to get pick 11 straight up from them though. We might have to get a bit creative. It wouldn't surprise me if they want to roll in another player like Francis into a bigger deal.

[bulldogtragic]

If as reported, Essendon are willing to pay him 600K a season then clearly a second round pick won't get it done.
Stringers manager will also want Essendon to be more than reasonable.

I think we will be flat out to get pick 11 straight up from them though. We might have to get a bit creative. It wouldn't surprise me if they want to roll in another player like Francis into a bigger deal.

With Hodgey retired, getting a future Lite n Easy ambassador to the club is a real coup for a smaller club. If Francis can actually lose the weight.

[ledge]

I see Francis as the same as Stringer , both elite talent but lazy in one way or another .
Francis doesn't have the bad record though, just a weight loss problem and his tank, but maybe due to injury.
At the moment I would back Francis to have more longevity in the game if Stringer doesn't pull his finger out.
I would still hate to lose Jake.
Wait and see I guess , the club knows what it wants whether it's player or draft picks or both.
Either way the club would already have an acceptable and non acceptable line marked out.
I can't understand Geelong chasing Ablett more than stringer unless Stringers problems outweigh Abletts, seeings Ablett has only two years max and Jake has 10 years ahead of him, that's pretty bad problems if that's the case.

[hujsh]

If as reported, Essendon are willing to pay him 600K a season then clearly a second round pick won't get it done.
Stringers manager will also want Essendon to be more than reasonable.

I think we will be flat out to get pick 11 straight up from them though. We might have to get a bit creative. It wouldn't surprise me if they want to roll in another player like Francis into a bigger deal.
600k a year would also have to be a bit of a shock to him wouldn't it? He's a 23 year old AA considered an elite talent and people are being offered 700-900k a year with the cap increase and Jake seems like he'll be getting a moderate increase on what he already has (assuming he's on 500-550 already) when he should be set for his big payday.

[bornadog]

600k a year would also have to be a bit of a shock to him wouldn't it? He's a 23 year old AA considered an elite talent and people are being offered 700-900k a year with the cap increase and Jake seems like he'll be getting a moderate increase on what he already has (assuming he's on 500-550 already) when he should be set for his big payday.

You have to work hard for your payday. He needs to sit down with Dusty and find out how he achieved what he did.

[ledge]

You have to work hard for your payday. He needs to sit down with Dusty and find out how he achieved what he did.

Prefer he sat down with Bevo, the players and the club and says something along the lines of I promise to do my best, to do my duty .. A bit of Boy Scout stuff and mean it and show it over the summer.

[Twodogs]

Prefer he sat down with Bevo, the players and the club and says something along the lines of I promise to do my best, to do my duty .. A bit of Boy Scout stuff and mean it and show it over the summer.

He's expected to do his best and do his duty. What he says has to start with "I'm sorry I have been letting everybody down. This is what I plan to do to make it better"

[chef]

Don't shoot the messenger but just conveying Brian Waldron on SEN stating that Geelong may now have cooled their heels on Stringer and that Essendon will look to deal later in trade week with the intention of putting a 2nd round on the table. He felt that with Geelong's waning interest that Essendon would not be dealing their first round pick 11.

Yay. Stringer stays.

[1eyedog]

Essendon want him and will give up pick 11 I reckon. But not before they drag him and us across the coals and get the deal done in the 23rd hour. As per usual they'll end up making pick 11 too good to refuse for us. The question is not so much how much they want him as it is how much do we want to be rid of him, and they'll hedge their bets on that.

[GVGjr]

Essendon want him and will give up pick 11 I reckon. But not before they drag him and us across the coals and get the deal done in the 23rd hour. As per usual.

They love to spoil other deals and really live for it. We need to put a stop watch on them and give them a firm day and time we will stop talking to them.

[hujsh]

They love to spoil other deals and really live for it. We need to put a stop watch on them and give them a firm day and time we will stop talking to them.

I like that. Give them at most one week and if no deal can be done walk away.

[Bulldog Revolution]

They love to spoil other deals and really live for it. We need to put a stop watch on them and give them a firm day and time we will stop talking to them.

Who was it they offered on the last day of a trade period straight up for Scott West?

It was a bloke who never played any senior footy right? Darren Walsh?

[Remi Moses]

Who was it they offered on the last day of a trade period straight up for Scott West?

It was a bloke who never played any senior footy right? Darren Walsh?

They delisted him ! What a joke to deal with

[Doc26]

I like that. Give them at most one week and if no deal can be done walk away.

I agree. We don't want the Stringer negotiation to distract us in working other potential opportunities to improve our list.

Like you suggest, given it's out there early, demand an early deadline on it and be prepared to shut up shop especially if it's Dodoro trying to extract blood from a stone.

[bornadog]

Why aren't we stating what we want for him?

Adelaide have said they want two first round picks for Lever, and that scares people away, of course they won't get that but will setle for a 1st and 2nd round.

We should be saying similar things so that Essendon can understand our intentions and work from there.

[ledge]

Why aren't we stating what we want for him?

Adelaide have said they want two first round picks for Lever, and that scares people away, of course they won't get that but will setle for a 1st and 2nd round.

We should be saying similar things so that Essendon can understand our intentions and work from there.

Maybe we have but the media doesn't know, we blind sided the whole world with our Tom Boyd get , no one had a clue, until the deal was practically done.
I remember PG coming out after they deal and saying we don't say anything until the deal Is done.
It's quite humorous how when something comes out we say the club leakes like a seive but when they don't we want to know why the club hasn't said anything.

[anfo27]

has nominated Essendon apparently.

[bornadog]

has nominated Essendon apparently.

Is that from Stringer himself?

[ratsmac]

has nominated Essendon apparently.

A friend just texted me the same thing. Why them. I can't even pretend to like stringa now

[Doc26]

Is that from Stringer himself?

No.

Tom Browne reported it during a cross on Talking Footy this evening.
Really, who knows what to believe. Yesterday he was going to Geelong.
I heard Stringer on the radio on the way home tonight and he sounded quite undecided still.

All this and WE still hold the trump card with if/where he goes, at least for the next 12 months.

[Mofra]

Why aren't we stating what we want for him?

We have. Two weeks ago we said we wanted a top 10 pick, recently we said a top 15 pick.

[G-Mo77]

Tim Watson says he's damaged goods but his club would be willing to take him on for a 2nd rounder. Knobhead Sam McClure chiming in as well saying he's worth nothing more. Both mocking Darcy for saying he's worth more. Wankers

[Go_Dogs]

Tim Watson says he's damaged goods but his club would be willing to take him on for a 2nd rounder. Knobhead Sam McClure chiming in as well saying he's worth nothing more. Both mocking Darcy for saying he's worth more. Wankers

Good, keep it coming media/Essendon.

When we retain him, he has a dominant year and have the last laugh it'll be that much sweeter.

[chef]

Tim Watson says he's damaged goods but his club would be willing to take him on for a 2nd rounder. Knobhead Sam McClure chiming in as well saying he's worth nothing more. Both mocking Darcy for saying he's worth more. Wankers

TBH that came across as just a bit of banter. Watson was struggling to keep a straight face and they were just trying to rile up Darcy.

[bulldogtragic]

Tim Watson says he's damaged goods but his club would be willing to take him on for a 2nd rounder. Knobhead Sam McClure chiming in as well saying he's worth nothing more. Both mocking Darcy for saying he's worth more. Wankers

He ain't going for a second rounder Tim. Explain to your fans how you couldn't land a player who nominated your club Tim.

[GVGjr]

TBH that came across as just a bit of banter. Watson was struggling to keep a straight face and they were just trying to rile up Darcy.

I tend to agree but Watson does that shit all the time to try and project a better outcome for Essendon.
It comes across more as manipulation than being an obvious joke and he should stop it.

[ledge]

Tim Watson says he's damaged goods but his club would be willing to take him on for a 2nd rounder. Knobhead Sam McClure chiming in as well saying he's worth nothing more. Both mocking Darcy for saying he's worth more. Wankers

What they fail to see is its not up to Essendon what they pay its up to us.
They want him they pay overs to pry him out simple . He is under contract.
Any player under contract you have to pay overs for. The contract club has the upper hand.
It's quite interesting that all the clubs/ media seem to accept the fact it's a big gamble to take him on . If your going on talent he is top ten by a mile his misbehaviours whatever they are. must be a big burden to take on.
Also tells you they recognise Bevo as being a great people's person and if he isn't getting through to him it would take someone extremely special to.

[FrediKanoute]

What they fail to see is its not up to Essendon what they pay its up to us.
They want him they pay overs to pry him out simple . He is under contract.
Any player under contract you have to pay overs for. The contract club has the upper hand.
It's quite interesting that all the clubs/ media seem to accept the fact it's a big gamble to take him on . If your going on talent he is top ten by a mile his misbehaviours whatever they are. must be a big burden to take on.
Also tells you they recognise Bevo as being a great people's person and if he isn't getting through to him it would take someone extremely special to.

Its not that simple though. Lets say Stringer stays. He has an amazing year, fulfils his potential and wins a Brownlow. He then refuses to sign a new deal next year and walks for zero compensation to Essendon - who is laughing at this point?

Whilst the club has some negotiating power this year, next year it has none. With the crap that has gone on re Stringer and his relationship with the club do you honestly see him signing a new deal?

We have to trade him this year and that means we will get unders.

[ledge]

Its not that simple though. Lets say Stringer stays. He has an amazing year, fulfils his potential and wins a Brownlow. He then refuses to sign a new deal next year and walks for zero compensation to Essendon - who is laughing at this point?

Whilst the club has some negotiating power this year, next year it has none. With the crap that has gone on re Stringer and his relationship with the club do you honestly see him signing a new deal?

We have to trade him this year and that means we will get unders.

If he had an amazing year and won the Brownlow that would mean he was very happy at the club and Bevo and him had patched up extremely well .. I could assure you if that happened he would stay , in all that's happened he has always says he loves the club.
I understand what your getting at and I guess it's up to the club to make the decision in the end and we have to trust the judgement.

[hujsh]

Its not that simple though. Lets say Stringer stays. He has an amazing year, fulfils his potential and wins a Brownlow. He then refuses to sign a new deal next year and walks for zero compensation to Essendon - who is laughing at this point?

Whilst the club has some negotiating power this year, next year it has none. With the crap that has gone on re Stringer and his relationship with the club do you honestly see him signing a new deal?

We have to trade him this year and that means we will get unders.

He won't walk for nothing though. They have to deal with us if they want to avoid him going in the draft and ending up somewhere like North or Brisbane or Carlton (or whoever is at the bottom of the ladder). He won't be a free agent so the options are either trade or draft. Drafting would be a huge gamble if he's doing that well so trading will be the only reasonable option

[Twodogs]

Its not that simple though. Lets say Stringer stays. He has an amazing year, fulfils his potential and wins a Brownlow. He then refuses to sign a new deal next year and walks for zero compensation to Essendon - who is laughing at this point?

Whilst the club has some negotiating power this year, next year it has none. With the crap that has gone on re Stringer and his relationship with the club do you honestly see him signing a new deal?

We have to trade him this year and that means we will get unders.

Are you thinking the Bosman rule applies? Stringer still has to be cleared by us next season if he wants to go whether he has a current contract with us or not. Stringer gets a bit more freedom to nominate when he is uncontracted but the club he goes to still has to swap something for him.

[1eyedog]

Not sure if this is good or bad for us.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-28/can-stringer-become-another-dusty

[Happy Days]

Not sure if this is good or bad for us.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-28/can-stringer-become-another-dusty

Barrett: Stringer is the next Dusty

Also Barrett: Stringer is worth a pick in the 20s

He's just a troll, nothing more.

[bulldogtragic]

It's time to mix things up and change the narrative. The club should announce Stringer is off the trade table. If Essendon, Geelong or North really want him this year, they can chase us hard to convince us to trade him. The narrative needs to change and the we need to fire the first shot and really highlight our position.

[1eyedog]

Barrett: Stringer is the next Dusty

Also Barrett: Stringer is worth a pick in the 20s

He's just a troll, nothing more.

Agreed but the media do have influence in peoples thought processes, even him.

[Twodogs]

It's time to mix things up and change the narrative. The club should announce Stringer is off the trade table. If Essendon, Geelong or North really want him this year, they can chase us hard to convince us to trade him. The narrative needs to change and the we need to fire the first shot and really highlight our position.


No. We need to stick to our course and not play games,

[GVGjr]

It's time to mix things up and change the narrative. The club should announce Stringer is off the trade table. If Essendon, Geelong or North really want him this year, they can chase us hard to convince us to trade him. The narrative needs to change and the we need to fire the first shot and really highlight our position.

I agree with Twodogs, we say nothing until next week until trade week starts. Basically we keep our powder dry until Stringer nominates a club. If that ends up being Essendon we put them on the clock because as known and repeated time wasters during trade periods we can't let them dictate our agenda.

[G-Mo77]

It's time to mix things up and change the narrative. The club should announce Stringer is off the trade table. If Essendon, Geelong or North really want him this year, they can chase us hard to convince us to trade him. The narrative needs to change and the we need to fire the first shot and really highlight our position.

To be fair I don't think I've heard a person from other teams recruiters and list managers on what he's worth. All I hear is rubbish from the likes of wankers like Barrett or McClure

[ledge]

To be fair I don't think I've heard a person from other teams recruiters and list managers on what he's worth. All I hear is rubbish from the likes of wankers like Barrett or McClure

I agree , absolutely nothing has come out from other clubs except the old line we look at all players and Stringer is one we will look at.
I believe the Hawks and Collingwood are the only teams that have come out and said they aren't looking at him.
No offers or even what we want have been mentioned by the clubs involved, it's all been media opinion.

[bulldogtragic]

No. We need to stick to our course and not play games,


I agree with Twodogs, we say nothing until next week until trade week starts. Basically we keep our powder dry until Stringer nominates a club. If that ends up being Essendon we put them on the clock because as known and repeated time wasters during trade periods we can't let them dictate our agenda.

It's to an extent, trading is gamesmanship and different strategies. The market is framed as us being sellers, and it being a buyers market. But we can just say simply the behind the scenes offers are not indicative of pursuing this further, and Jake indicates a preparedness to knuckle down and be a gun player. We become buyers of first rounders, in a buyers market. It's not good, or bad to my mind. It's just a different strategy, a strategy in which we are in full control. But we will see what happens.

[Dry Rot]

Barrett compared Stringer to Martin. If you read this and note Martin's devotion to training from a young age (except for a few incidents), you'll see that they are worlds apart

http://www.smh.com.au/good-weekend/brownlow-medal-winner-dusty-martin-how-a-young-bloke-pulled-his-head-in-20170919-gykkxa.html


Dusty decided at a young age that he was going to be an AFL footballer, which is not so unusual, and mapped out a program for himself, which is. At draft camp, where likely recruits are inspected and compared like houses or cars, he showed himself to be quick, a thumping kick and – surprise, surprise – accomplished at breaking tackles. "I reckon I was born to play AFL," he said at the time....

You cannot compile a record like that on talent and wits alone. He's a seriously good footballer who is serious about his footy. He is strict on himself about recovery and diet, honouring his boyhood manifesto. He took cooking lessons paid for by the club, practises mindfulness and does extra training at Leo Berry's boxing gym, a Richmond institution. In other words, he leaves no stone unturned. In Dusty can be discerned the overtones of a well-known footy trope, the star who works hard but likes to present as blasé.

[Rocco Jones]

Martin and Stringer so different.

Martin''s issues mainly were off field/criminal type connections. Had a pre-season where he slackened off but I think that came with associated troubles. He seems to actually really love the game and not mind physical training. Footy seems like it has always been a release to him, something he is passionate about.

Stringer is more of an immature guy than the stuff Dusty got into. I see him a man-child. He doesn't seem to really love footy (that's fine) but even more so really hate the gym.

[bornadog]

Martin and Stringer so different.

Martin''s issues mainly were off field/criminal type connections. Had a pre-season where he slackened off but I think that came with associated troubles. He seems to actually really love the game and not mind physical training. Footy seems like it has always been a release to him, something he is passionate about.

Stringer is more of an immature guy than the stuff Dusty got into. I see him a man-child. He doesn't seem to really love footy (that's fine) but even more so really hate the gym.

If you read Dusty's story, he left school early and his old man made him work hard from 6am to 6pm - he is not afraid of working hard.

Same as Libba, he may joke around and have a laugh, but he trains his guts out.

[comrade]

If you read Dusty's story, he left school early and his old man made him work hard from 6am to 6pm - he is not afraid of working hard.

Same as Libba, he may joke around and have a laugh, but he trains his guts out.

Yep, Libba and Dusty are more alike than Stringer and Dusty.

Stringer just happens to share some genetically similar physical traits as Dusty. Their background and approach to professional sport is chalk and cheese, and the difference is far too nuanced to delineate for a gutter sniping, pea sized intellect like Barrett who would prefer to go the 'hur dur Stringer and Dusty had off field issues and they both like to break tackles, and they are the same...' route.

[Rocco Jones]

Libba, Dusty and Cousins all have had issues but no strangers to hard work. Something about addictive personalities. Guys outside the norm are often too easily bundled together but Stringer is nothing like them.

[bulldogtragic]

But it's in the media... And from the guy who suggested direct to Stringer that he was punished by Bevo for having young kids that made him run late on occasion... Except that Stringer said that never happened, not even once.

Man, for a bloke no one seems to like, his word vomit gets a lot of attention.

[AndrewP6]

This makes trade week even more intriguing... Jake's ex goes BANG!
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/former-afl-wag-abby-gilmore-reveals-truth-behind-her-split-from-western-bulldogs-star-jake-stringer/news-story/c76e0b2bdbf43e0e0772db6d40ee04f6

[bulldogtragic]

This makes trade week even more intriguing... http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/former-afl-wag-abby-gilmore-reveals-truth-behind-her-split-from-western-bulldogs-star-jake-stringer/news-story/c76e0b2bdbf43e0e0772db6d40ee04f6?utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_campaign=EditorialSF&utm_source=HaraldSun&utm_medium=Facebook

Paywall

[Dry Rot]

Stringer's ex has come out and blown the lid on Jake's out of control six figure gambling, rooting school girls and heaps of other women etc.

Sure to increase his trade value....

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/former-afl-wag-abby-gilmore-reveals-truth-behind-her-split-from-western-bulldogs-star-jake-stringer/news-story/c76e0b2bdbf43e0e0772db6d40ee04f6

And it looks like his leaving is a player thing

“But the Bulldogs players showed they cared. I’m proud of them for that. They were disgusted by his behaviour, doing that to me when I was pregnant. They let him know it.”

[bulldogsman]

That's extremely disappointing from Jake, he has more issues then I realised and now everyone knows. Can't see us getting a great deal for him now.

[Dry Rot]

Yes, I'd say this year's 4th rounder from the Bombers will get the job done now.

[bulldogtragic]

Shit.

Take *!*!*!*! all, or reform him. Or, St Kilda have a thing for school girls.

[bulldogtragic]

Yes, I'd say this year's 4th rounder from the Bombers will get the job now.

I'd rather not gift them him this year. No deal, he can reform or sit a year out.

[bulldogtragic]

Where's all that Bevo hate, Bevo stuffed this up with Jake now?

[AndrewP6]

Paywall

Former AFL WAG Abby Gilmore reveals truth behind her split
ABBY Gilmore has had enough.

She’s not going to stay silent any longer to protect the football reputation of her estranged fiance Jake Stringer, or the boys’ club that is still part of the AFL.

It’s taken a year of heartbreak and pain, but this week she has found her voice.

“Women can speak. We are allowed to have a voice,” Gilmore told the Herald Sun’s Page 13 at her Altona North home this week, “I couldn’t suffer in silence anymore.”

When the footy WAG received a message from a 17-year-old schoolgirl saying she was having sex with Gilmore’s Western Bulldogs’ fiance, her seemingly picture perfect life shattered.

Gilmore knows she will cop flak for speaking out.

.
Blowing the whistle on the WAG lifestyle and toxic culture of sex, lies and gambling at football clubs is regarded as out of bounds.

“Everyone seems to know what was going on, but no one was saying or doing anything about it,” Gilmore says.

With a six-week-old baby, the couple’s second child, Gilmore, 24, felt ashamed and humiliated as a seemingly endless parade of girls left messages with in-your-face taunts about their sex sessions, with Stringer, some sending nude photographs of the premiership player.

“When it all blew up I was turned away from the club.

“I couldn’t believe it, the senior people just didn’t want to hear me out.

“But the Bulldogs players showed they cared. I’m proud of them for that. They were disgusted by his behaviour, doing that to me when I was pregnant. They let him know it.”

After months of depression and emotional upheaval, Abby Gilmore has decided that breaking her silence on a dirty little secret is the only way she can regain her self respect.

It is the first real insight into what was actually on inside the Western Bulldogs and Stringer’s much rumoured about off field performance this year.
Stringer’s gambling addiction had reached fever pitch, Gilmore said. He had blown six figure sums of the young family’s savings.

Gilmore felt lost.

With two daughters, Milla 3 and baby Arlo to look after, she pretended she still had the picket fence and luxury WAG lifestyle, keeping up the pretence in front of her friends and family and her 100k-plus social media following.

She put on a forced smile when Stringer and the Western Bulldogs won the Grand Final last year, even though she knew his ego and the hero worship he would revel in would become unbearable.

But a year on and Gilmore says she “is done pretending.” She is no longer ashamed.

The young mother is selling the furniture she bought with Jake so she can start afresh.

Gilmore is prepared to get heat. She says speaking out to help other women in similar circumstances is the only way to regain her self respect.

She is sick of all the lies and innuendo.

Gambling started as a teen
Gilmore and Jake met in Bendigo when she was just 13 and the two were barely in high school. Jake became like a son to her mother and father.

“We created this life together. But what was happening at the football club was just out of my control.”

Abby had long been living with Stringer’s gambling addiction. She said the gambling started when Jake was a 16 year-old with stars in his eyes about a career in footy.

“The environment at a football club is concerning. Everything around footy is dictated on betting. How do you stop something when all you are surrounded by is gambling?”

Gilmore controlled all the finances with his AFL manager Paul Connors. But when Jake wanted cash his manager would dole it out.

“The clubs organise counselling and do all that, but the thing with Jake is that he needed more.

“Whatever he got it wasn’t enough,” Gilmore says.

“They had a duty of care to look after Jake and I think if they had listened to me they would have been able to help him a lot more.

Gilmore says she won’t stay silent on the toxic culture that helped end her relationship.
“He wasn’t helped in the right way, but in saying that you need to want help. You can’t when you are lying about it and pushing it under the carpet like Jake was.”

Gilmore said living with Jake’s gambling addiction was a rollercoaster ride of epic highs and lows.

“I am sensitive to it, because it is a real problem, it’s an addiction.

“In hindsight I realised I played a role in his gambling. I should have spoken out more to get him help rather than passively enabling his actions.”

She wishes there could be more openness inside the locker rooms. While Gilmore says there is some light, a lot of footballers like Jake are still floundering in the dark.

“It’s still such a man’s world. I wish he could have walked in and said ‘guys, I have a massive gambling addiction, can you help me’. But he would never do that, no way, he would say it was too embarrassing.”

Gilmore lived with the gambling. She managed without the squandered savings.

But her life truly fell apart the day after a sit down interview with Herald Sun’s chief football writer Mark Robinson. Jake had gushed about how in love he was with Abby, waxing lyrical about his kids and the importance of family to him.

Gilmore woke up the next day feeling happy and normal for the first time since giving birth six weeks earlier.

Bulldogs player Jason Johannisen, a close friend of both Gilmore and Stringer, with the couple's children. Instagram: Abby Gilmore
She went to a boxing lesson and was hanging on the couch with Stringer’s teammate Jason “JJ” Johannisen, who was so close to the couple that he was present in the birthing suite when Abby was in labour.

“Jake had gone out to get lunch and I was just chilling with JJ when I got this message and just went pale. I showed Jason,” Gilmore said.

“We both had no idea.”

The text from the schoolgirl said she was having sex with Stringer, who is dubbed The Package. Gilmore later called her only to discover he had been visiting her family home, sometimes three times a week, for over four months to have sex.

“Her parents were diehard Bulldogs supporters, they gave their blessing to this homewrecker,” Gilmore said.


Gilmore with Milla. Picture: Tim Carrafa
“I immediately thought I must be doing something wrong. I think that is what so many women first feel, I’m not good enough.”

“When I confronted him, Jake said ‘I’m so sorry I love you’, I said ‘fine I have a six-week-old what can I do?’ I was embarrassed.

“We all constantly scroll through other people’s perfect lives on social media. I thought I had that perfect life and so was ashamed when it all came crumbling down.”

But the schoolgirl’s tawdry confession was just the beginning.

Gilmore says a long line of predatory and sometimes gleeful girls have since contacted her and sent her nude photographs of Stringer in his naked glory.

“It was the full package all right,” Gilmore says, still managing to find some of her trademark larrikin humour in the greatest of adversities.

“Everyone was getting to look at The Package. It just kept going on and on.”

‘I woke up one day with a new path’
Abby said she got so depressed she couldn’t leave the house.

Even looking at baby Arlo made her think of all the other women Stringer had been sleeping with.

“I had social anxiety,” she said.

“I had just done an article on how beautiful my family was and the very next day I got this message and my life crumpled to pieces.

“The worst part for me was all these girls knew I existed, they knew I was pregnant with a child and it’s just wrong.”

She wishes more could be done to educate footballers on sex and coping with the hero worship and predatory females desperate for five minutes in the spotlight on the arm of a player.

“Because I was a WAG we get put under this umbrella that you deserve it, because you signed up for it,” she says.

“But I didn’t. I met Jake when I was 13. I didn’t know what being a WAG would entail, or maybe I would have thought twice about it.”


wishes Jake the best in his endeavours at a new club, with Geelong and Essendon sniffing around after he was giving his marching orders by the Bulldogs last month.

She said alleged cover ups of infighting at the Bulldogs did not surprise her.

Or that the club and coach Luke Beveridge had finally had enough.

“The cheating and stuff with me, they weren’t happy about that and it changed the dynamics at the club,” she said.

“Nothing is enough for Jake. He had the football club and now he is leaving that. He had his family and left that. I’m sad for him. He obviously isn’t doing it just for fun. He has an addictive personality.”

Gilmore says she is not speaking out to flog an endorsement or push an ambassador role. She is just fed up and she knows she is not alone.


Gilmore says she was lost after learning of Stringer’s infidelity.
“I’ve had so many WAGs contact me saying it has happened to them too and they are too scared to speak out.

“I realised I was lowering my self-worth by being in this relationship. I was showing my girls that you put up with whatever to have a roof over your head and nice things. But I want my girls to know I would rather struggle and be happy than be in a toxic relationship.

“No one talks about it, but so many women go through it. I just want to have a voice for that.”

Gilmore says she finds strength and healing in sharing her story so other women can feel empowered and shrugging off the stigma of what has happened to her.

“When I finally said ‘I’m done, I’m not doing this anymore’ and packed the kids up I actually found it empowering. I suppose that’s where I found my path.”

Gilmore is now in a new relationship, with a “a good bloke who doesn’t play football.”

She has started training as a counsellor and set up female-only workshops Love Yo’Self to help women feel confident and feel safe and protected to open up about their life hurdles.

“I want to send y message, not my mess,” she says

“I woke up one day with a new path. It’s not something I chose. It’s been handed to me and that was a really hard pill to swallow.”

[chef]

Shit hey. I was wrong. Sorry Bevo.

[bulldogtragic]

I think he's untradable.

He stays, reforms. He stays, sits a year out. Pick 30 isn't worth it this year. Maybe next year, but not this year.

[The Underdog]

Well, this should end well. I wonder what Paul Connors is doing right now.

[Grantysghost]

That’s going to make it difficult to get something decent for him. I agree maybe we hold onto him and this will be enough to get him back on track if he wants and gets the help he requires .

[bulldogtragic]

Well, this should end well. I wonder what Paul Connors is doing right now.

Trying to arrange a mediation with Jake & Bevo, players.

[Go_Dogs]

Brilliant timing.

Disappointing to read, rings true with a lot of the rumours that have been floating around. Hope Jake's getting some help.

Does the Club need to issue a statement regarding this? If so, will that statement potentially be us flagging whether he stays or goes definitively, and if it's he goes, what impact does that have on our bargaining position? Going to be an interesting week in the lead up to the trade period.

[GVGjr]

These are actually known issues, any club interested in him would have done the homework.

It's probably a good thing that it's come out in the open and hopefully he will get some assistance with this.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

This either gets a lot better for Jake or a lot worse from here on in. He either faces up to his actions or he continues on a path to oblivion.

I'm not even talking about it from a football perspective, but a life one.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

These are actually known issues, any club interested in him would have done the homework.

It's probably a good thing that it's come out in the open and hopefully he will get some assistance with this.

As you say this would have been fairly known to prospective clubs. If anything though it emboldens them to low ball the club

[GVGjr]

As you say this would have been fairly known to prospective clubs. If anything though it emboldens them to low ball the club

If he mans up to this then I think it strengthens the chance he stays which isn't a bad outcome. He's clearly not handling the trappings of success and hopefully his manager will see that staying with us could be the best thing for him. We might have lost patience with him but we will look after Jake if he steps up and takes responsibility. Paul Connors has a huge role to play here.

[jazzadogs]

Makes his press conference last week stink even more. Saying he has no idea what the issues were etc etc.

It's a shame we couldn't help him with his gambling but as Abby says you have to want help. I truly hope that he sorts it out and perhaps this will be the wake up call he needed... although if losing his partner and kids wasn't enough then I'm not sure.

As for the cheating, I no longer have respect for him.

[bornadog]

Makes his press conference last week stink even more. Saying he has no idea what the issues were etc etc.

It's a shame we couldn't help him with his gambling but as Abby says you have to want help. I truly hope that he sorts it out and perhaps this will be the wake up call he needed... although if losing his partner and kids wasn't enough then I'm not sure.

As for the cheating, I no longer have respect for him.

I was told about his gambling and other issues early this year. The club appointed a therapist but Jake kept missing sessions and was in total denial. Senior people were called in including David Smorgon to talk to him, but Jake just ignored the lot. The guy has been out of control and gambling and sex is just part of it.

I would doubt anyone would want him now, or they will try it on and offer up a second or third rounder.

Maybe this article is the kick up the backside for him to admit he needs help.

[kruder]

Did i read correctly a 17 year olds parents gave their blessing to jakes affair?

[jeemak]

Who enables their 17 year old to sleep with a 23 year old footballer who has a young family?

Pretty trashy stuff from Jake. He needs to start listening to people and pull his life together.

[Bullies]

Not sure the players would want him to stay. Don't think there would be too much respect there. A change could be good for him and hopefully get himself sorted. Certainly now makes sense as to why no clubs want him.

[bulldogtragic]

I was told about his gambling and other issues early this year. The club appointed a therapist but Jake kept missing sessions and was in total denial. Senior people were called in including David Smorgon to talk to him, but Jake just ignored the lot. The guy has been out of control and gambling and sex is just part of it.

I would doubt anyone would want him now, or they will try it on and offer up a second or third rounder.

Maybe this article is the kick up the backside for him to admit he needs help.

With my tiny shreds of life experience I've clocked up this life time, I think the best thing for him is to stay. And do all the necessary things with his manager to facilitate him being able to stay. Running elsewhere is less likely to succeed I imagine.

[bulldogtragic]

Who enables their 17 year old to sleep with a 23 year old footballer who has a young family?

Pretty trashy stuff from Jake. He needs to start listening to people and pull his life together.

And then gives the 17yo Abby's phone number to text photos. This thing has so many layers.

[comrade]

And then gives the 17yo Abby's phone number to text photos. This thing has so many layers.

With social media today, if you want to send something to some one, there is always a way.

[Sedat]

I wonder what Paul Connors is doing right now.Working harder than he has ever had to for his commission.

Staying with us would have to be in play now. But to be honest if Stringer is not prepared to look in the mirror and accept his need to change his lifestyle, I don't want him anywhere near our club moving forward.

[ratsmac]

Wow. I don't think I even want Stringer to stay after reading that. He is (could be) an amazing footballer but he's a pretty shit bloke. I know no one is perfect but he seems to be un remorseful.
I wonder if other clubs know the extent of his problems. And I wonder if he was upfront with them in his meetings with suitors. We'll soon find out I suppose if they retract their interest in him.

[Rocket Science]

http://i65.tinypic.com/nqwk0w.png

[bulldogtragic]

Anyone know what the AFLPA rules are about banishing players until they redeem themselves?

That is, if we keep him, if, if, if, can we tell him he needs to earn trust but from a distance and if he passes tests we may allow him inside the WO late January or early February. If it's OK to banish him for 3-4 months.

[Dry Rot]

OK, if that article is mostly true then Jake is really bad and Abbey has been really hard done by.

But I query the timing of it? Surely the smart play for her is let him get the best contract he can, then publish the article and get as much maintenance as she can out of him.

Doing it now is a bit odd and not very smart. What were her motives?

Blind revenge? Some advantage for her and her exposure?

[bulldogtragic]

http://i65.tinypic.com/nqwk0w.png

Damian Barrett says its Shocktober 2: we've now lost our CEO, captain, former captain and now this on our AA gun premiership player.

[Rocket Science]

OK, if that article is mostly true then Jake is really bad and Abbey has been really hard done by.

But I query the timing of it? Surely the smart play for her is let him get the best contract he can, then publish the article and get as much maintenance as she can out of him.

Doing it now is a bit odd and not very smart. What were her motives?

Blind revenge? Some advantage for her and her exposure?

The HS - known for their spotless journalistic ethics - might've made a 'donation' to her workshops.

If so, that's not at all a bad thing of course, but suspect they've paid in some fashion for a story they know has LOTSA traction.

[comrade]

Damian Barrett says its Shocktober 2: we've now lost our CEO, captain, former captain and now this on our AA gun premiership player.

Barrett is desperately trying to work out how to banish his article comparing Dusty to Stringer from the entire internet and pretend he never wrote it.

He's spent the last few weeks taking pot shots at Bevo's hard line stance. I look forward to him once again having to swallow a giant serving of humble pie.

[bornadog]

The HS - known for their spotless journalistic ethics - might've made a 'donation' to her workshops.

If so, that's not at all a bad thing of course, but suspect they've paid in some fashion for a story they know has LOTSA traction.

The simple fact is it is true, I don't care about her motives. If I knew about it at the start of the year, then others would have as well

[bulldogtragic]

Barrett is desperately trying to work out how to banish his article comparing Dusty to Stringer from the entire internet and pretend he never wrote it.

He's spent the last few weeks taking pot shots at Bevo's hard line stance. I look forward to him once again having to swallow a giant serving of humble pie.

Woofers ready to call trade radio when he's on air?

[AndrewP6]

OK, if that article is mostly true then Jake is really bad and Abbey has been really hard done by.

But I query the timing of it? Surely the smart play for her is let him get the best contract he can, then publish the article and get as much maintenance as she can out of him.

Doing it now is a bit odd and not very smart. What were her motives?

Blind revenge? Some advantage for her and her exposure?

She'll get looked after, no doubt. I'm not sure she is all that smart - I follow her on Instagram. But the things she has said are indefensible.

[comrade]

Woofers ready to call trade radio when he's on air?

I'm blocked on Twitter so I've tweeted his good mate Hutchy and asked if he thinks Damo is looking forward to his humble pie! Someone should definitely call him up on trade radio.

[bulldogtragic]

I'm blocked on Twitter so I've tweeted his good mate Hutchy and asked if he thinks Damo is looking forward to his humble pie! Everyone should definitely call him up on trade radio.

Monday 3 October - After 3pm - 1300 23 55 48

[comrade]

Monday 3 October - After 3pm - 1300 23 55 48

This is a double whammy for Damo. His numerous pot shots at Bevo ove the past few weeks now look laughable AND he's missed out on breaking a significant off field footy story. Must sting the so called best news breaker in the game.

[bulldogtragic]

This is a double whammy for Damo. His numerous pot shots at Bevo ove the past few weeks now look laughable AND he's missed out on breaking a significant off field footy story. Must sting the so called best news breaker in the game.

And his producers can't block all the callers with interesting questions, like he blocks on Twitter.

Oh no.

[comrade]

And his producers can't block all the callers with interesting questions, like he blocks on Twitter.

Oh no.

Just say you want to talk about the Gary Ablett deal, then hit him between the eyes...

[bulldogtragic]

This is a double whammy for Damo. His numerous pot shots at Bevo ove the past few weeks now look laughable AND he's missed out on breaking a significant off field footy story. Must sting the so called best news breaker in the game.

He was first with the story last week on Bevo punishing Jake for being a little late because of having young kids. Barrett will not like that one coming back up...

[Webby]

17 year old girl. Pregnant wife....

..... No club will want to touch him, now. They simply won't want the publicity.
At the very least, you can rule St Kilda out!!

I'd say we're stuck with him. His reputation and ego will take a huge hit after this - which may be just what he needs...
Bloody hell, btw...

[westdog54]

Anyone know what the AFLPA rules are about banishing players until they redeem themselves?

That is, if we keep him, if, if, if, can we tell him he needs to earn trust but from a distance and if he passes tests we may allow him inside the WO late January or early February. If it's OK to banish him for 3-4 months.

Based on what is now public, I would have no objection to the following:

Assuming that we don't get an acceptable trade for Jake, we should, the day after final list lodgement, delist Jake and not invite him back to the club until he is well and truly reformed.

[bulldogtragic]

Based on what is now public, I would have no objection to the following:

Assuming that we don't get an acceptable trade for Jake, we should, the day after final list lodgement, delist Jake and not invite him back to the club until he is well and truly reformed.

If we de-list him I think we need to pay out his contract and he can eventually leave as a delisted free agent right? I think we completely agree, use whatever mechanism to keep him out until trust is re-set. If it's ever re-set. I think WCE forced McGovern to train at the WAFL club for a good stint not to far back.

Edit: or are you saying let him sit the year out altogether?

[1eyedog]

Stringer's ex has come out and blown the lid on Jake's out of control six figure gambling, rooting school girls and heaps of other women etc.

Sure to increase his trade value....

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/former-afl-wag-abby-gilmore-reveals-truth-behind-her-split-from-western-bulldogs-star-jake-stringer/news-story/c76e0b2bdbf43e0e0772db6d40ee04f6

And it looks like his leaving is a player thing

“But the Bulldogs players showed they cared. I’m proud of them for that. They were disgusted by his behaviour, doing that to me when I was pregnant. They let him know it.”

Yep I said this elsewhere in the forum a few months ago, bringing a different girl to the club every week. Glad she came out and smashed him, not sure we're gonna get that first rounder now.

[comrade]

17 year old girl. Pregnant wife....

..... No club will want to touch him, now. They simply won't want the publicity.
At the very least, you can rule St Kilda out!!

I'd say we're stuck with him. His reputation and ego will take a huge hit after this - which may be just what he needs...
Bloody hell, btw...

I actually think this might be some shrewd work by a certain rival list manager.

Anyone know which team the HS chief AFL reporter supports?

[1eyedog]

If we de-list him I think we need to pay out his contract and he can eventually leave as a delisted free agent right? I think we completely agree, use whatever mechanism to keep him out until trust is re-set. If it's ever re-set. I think WCE forced McGovern to train at the WAFL club for a good stint not to far back.

Edit: or are you saying let him sit the year out altogether?

I'm all for paying his salary to work at a charity for a year. Perhaps something that will teach him to respect women and stop treating them like glorified objects.

[1eyedog]

Nah that's how Abby rolls, shes dynamite and does not gaf!

[bulldogtragic]

I actually think this might be some shrewd work by a certain rival list manager.

Anyone know which team the HS chief AFL reporter supports?

Could back fire. It might be easier eye balling 50 team mates and coaches after this than say every single person at a new one. Then still got to find an acceptable trade.

[jeemak]

OK, if that article is mostly true then Jake is really bad and Abbey has been really hard done by.

But I query the timing of it? Surely the smart play for her is let him get the best contract he can, then publish the article and get as much maintenance as she can out of him.

Doing it now is a bit odd and not very smart. What were her motives?

Blind revenge? Some advantage for her and her exposure?

I don't think she'd be likely to embellish, if anything, there'd be way more that's gone on than what's been let out. Whilst she may have been encouraged by some form of financial compensation to tell the story, I'd almost bet she's a little bit put off by Jake fronting the media suggesting he doesn't know why he's on the out with his team mates and the club.

Having been betrayed and knowing what type of person he is, it would be sickening to see him in the media playing the ignorance and victim card.

[Rocket Science]

I actually think this might be some shrewd work by a certain rival list manager.

Anyone know which team the HS chief AFL reporter supports?

Groggo aiding and abetting the arsehole club he supports?

Nahhh.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Yikes.

Very ugly situation.

Hard to see where this falls

[boydogs]

Doesn't feel right cheering for a player that cheated on his pregnant wife

[Hotdog60]

Fev needs to get in his ear about the gambling side of things. It did his career wonders.

[Rocket Science]

I think Connors' task has just gone from trying to optimise Jake's career to trying to salvage it.

[Rocco Jones]

Doesn't feel right cheering for a player that cheated on his pregnant wife

*with a minor.

[G-Mo77]

Really ugly and dirty laundry being aired here. Feel for Abbey but really think this isn't the best way to go about it, especially with children involved.

[Doc26]

Not sure if it's been discussed as yet but Jake's ex has also taken fair aim at 'senior levels' of the Club for their inaction on a known matter with Jake. This is quite a condemnation and whether this claim is correct or not, the Club will be obliged to respond to this particular accusation given the strong stance that the Club has taken with 'respect of women', it being a torch bearer for community and broader social issues, and leading the way with the AFLW movement.

It will interesting to hear how we navigate and respond to this. Staying quiet now doesn't really seem a wise option.

This has got a whole lot messier.

[Funke disco]

Given this new information I don't believe Jake will succeed if he moves on. I had heard some whispers in relation to his drinking and gambling but not this level of detail about the infidelity. In isolation these issues are manageable but together conjure up something that is extremely complex to resolve. anyway... in bevo i trust

[ledge]

Really ugly and dirty laundry being aired here. Feel for Abbey but really think this isn't the best way to go about it, especially with children involved.

Then again maybe bringing it out in the open might make him face the music and grow up.
My opinion is him doing all that and obviously had been told many times it was all wrong and to still say he doesn't know why he was pretty much sacked proves he is still in denial.
Until he comes out and admits it all and excepts he has problems and is going to some sort or reform classes on all his problems he isn't going to get better.
I'm not sure clubs will take him on now, they would know all This long before this came out in the media.

Besides His problem I worry about her statement on the club not doing enough and it was the players who were trying to fix it.
She bought up the men's club attitude, this isn't good on us and I would be surprised if Barrett doesn't pop that line on Bevo.

[Rocket Science]

You'd have to wonder whether this has the potential to influence the thinking of families of potential draftees as to whether WO is a satisfactory environment for young men.

There'll be questions asked no doubt about the degree of enablement, if any. And there should be.

[bornadog]

Not sure if it's been discussed as yet but Jake's ex has also taken fair aim at 'senior levels' of the Club for their inaction on a known matter with Jake.

I don't believe she is accurate about her claims on the club.

I have mentioned previously and the source is good, the club appointed a therapist and Stringer didn't attend all sessions. David Smorgon and other senior managers had chats to him, but he just didn't think he had a problem.

[LostDoggy]

There is absolutely no chance anyone will trade for him now. They might have known but now that it has gone viral there isn't a club that will want the backlash. Forget getting him cheap it's what they lose just in taking him that they will fear.

If your going to be that type of bloke then my god you want to be the best player in the comp and that he is not.

I'm sure there will be players at the club that won't want to play with him again. What will we do with him?

Interesting timing but with everyone focused on the GF.

[Twodogs]

Then again maybe bringing it out in the open might make him face the music and grow up.
My opinion is him doing all that and obviously had been told many times it was all wrong and to still say he doesn't know why he was pretty much sacked proves he is still in denial.
Until he comes out and admits it all and excepts he has problems and is going to some sort or reform classes on all his problems he isn't going to get better.
I'm not sure clubs will take him on now, they would know all This long before this came out in the media.

Besides His problem I worry about her statement on the club not doing enough and it was the players who were trying to fix it.
She bought up the men's club attitude, this isn't good on us and I would be surprised if Barrett doesn't pop that line on Bevo.

The same Bevo that he's been accusing of overreacting and picking on Jake for no good reason? I can't see how accusing him of he exact opposite is going to fly.


I think he might keep his head down because everytime Barrett pipes up to have a go at Bevo he ends up looking a bigger fool than he did the last time he did it. If Bevo was one of my mates and Barrett was a smart arse loud mouth about now I'd be dragging Bevo off Barrett and saying "come on mate, he's had enough"

[ledge]

The same Bevo that he's been accusing of overreacting and picking on Jake for no good reason? I can't see how accusing him of he exact opposite is going to fly.


I think he might keep his head down because everytime Barrett pipes up to have a go at Bevo he ends up looking a bigger fool than he did the last time he did it. If Bevo was one of my mates and Barrett was a smart arse loud mouth about now I'd be dragging Bevo off Barrett and saying "come on mate, he's had enough"

Not sure I would drag him off, might help him dispose of the body though.

[Doc26]

I don't believe she is accurate about her claims on the club.

I have mentioned previously and the source is good, the club appointed a therapist and Stringer didn't attend all sessions. David Smorgon and other senior managers had chats to him, but he just didn't think he had a problem.

Good to hear.

I do still feel that the Club will now need to respond to Abby's claim that the senior people at the Club would not hear her plea for help / assistance. How they communicate this to effectively manage all the critical stakeholders over the next week or two will take some crafting.

[comrade]

I don't think she'd be likely to embellish, if anything, there'd be way more that's gone on than what's been let out. Whilst she may have been encouraged by some form of financial compensation to tell the story, I'd almost bet she's a little bit put off by Jake fronting the media suggesting he doesn't know why he's on the out with his team mates and the club.

Having been betrayed and knowing what type of person he is, it would be sickening to see him in the media playing the ignorance and victim card.

I wouldn't be surprised if there has been an open offer from the HS to publish her story whenever she wanted, but she's held back for whatever reason until now. Could have been Stringer's pitiful woe is me act last week, could have been an argument between the 2, could be new love interests have entered the mix and caused emotional chaos. We'll likely never know but something has lit the fuse and the bomb has gone off in Jake's face.

[1eyedog]

I think Jake needs to check himself before he wrecks himself. Playing footy next year is looking like a long shot right now and certainly secondary to sorting out some pretty serious life issues.

[bornadog]

Good to hear.

I do still feel that the Club will now need to respond to Abby's claim that the senior people at the Club would not hear her plea for help / assistance. How they communicate this to effectively manage all the critical stakeholders over the next week or two will take some crafting.

You are right, the club's reputation is at stake.

Stringer certainly needs some major help.

Gambling is an addiction for starters, and if he has been doing it since he was 16 then he has got a major problem.

On his infidelities, I can understand how it happens and don't condone it for one instance. Here he is, with the same girl since he was 13 years old. He becomes famous and girls throw themselves at him, and he gets tempted. It is wrong, but it is also a trap that many people fall into when they marry so young.

Again he needs help here as well, but he won't be cured until he admits to himself that what he is doing is all wrong.

[ledge]

Connors will be earning his money now, or can a manager sack his client.
Be interesting to see the angle his manager takes now. How do you sell him or do you give up or do you try and patch things up.
Whatever the outcome I imagine even Connors would have had a few long chats to stringer about his behaviour as well.
Stringer is now at the crossroads of a football career or into the sad sad oblivion of a gambling and sex addict.
Shows you what being a big fish in a small pond as a kid can do when you move up to the professional big times.
Makes you wonder about his parents and family they must have been blind to it all although I imagine Abbey would have had conversations with them.

[MrMahatma]

Could be career over.

No team will take him given the push into AFLW. We can't have him back.

He'll sit the year out and never play AFL again.

I was gutted when I heard he was on the trade table. Now I know why, I don't want him at the club. A-grade sh1t bloke.

[bornadog]

I wouldn't be surprised if there has been an open offer from the HS to publish her story whenever she wanted, but she's held back for whatever reason until now. Could have been Stringer's pitiful woe is me act last week, could have been an argument between the 2, could be new love interests have entered the mix and caused emotional chaos. We'll likely never know but something has lit the fuse and the bomb has gone off in Jake's face.

Abby does have a new boyfriend, so that may have triggered some arguments.

[LostDoggy]

Could be career over.

No team will take him given the push into AFLW. We can't have him back.

He'll sit the year out and never play AFL again.

I was gutted when I heard he was on the trade table. Now I know why, I don't want him at the club. A-grade sh1t bloke.

We can have him back....eventually and only on our terms. We can have him back but only if handled in the correct way.

[hujsh]

Not sure if it's been discussed as yet but Jake's ex has also taken fair aim at 'senior levels' of the Club for their inaction on a known matter with Jake. This is quite a condemnation and whether this claim is correct or not, the Club will be obliged to respond to this particular accusation given the strong stance that the Club has taken with 'respect of women', it being a torch bearer for community and broader social issues, and leading the way with the AFLW movement.

It will interesting to hear how we navigate and respond to this. Staying quiet now doesn't really seem a wise option.

This has got a whole lot messier.

I suppose the question is what level of responsibility the club has to manage Jakes personal life. Assuming what Bornadog has said is true (I'm inclined to trust him on this) they've done a fair bit to try and help him and let him know he has a problem so what else can an employer do?

If his team mates also let him know they weren't happy with what he was doing you're really at the limit of feasible options to help him and by extension Abby

[Happy Days]

I generally hate the idea of people's lives being led publicly as some sort of nobility cause or whatever, but this is pretty messed up.

The bit about the "die hard" parents of the 17-year-old is just...man. Words can't even describe how sickening that is.

[jeemak]

I generally hate the idea of people's lives being led publicly as some sort of nobility cause or whatever, but this is pretty messed up.

The bit about the "die hard" parents of the 17-year-old is just...man. Words can't even describe how sickening that is.

It's baseline stuff isn't it, what hope is there?

[LostDoggy]

Abby does have a new boyfriend, so that may have triggered some arguments.

He may of been about to introduce his girls to his new girlfriend.

[bornadog]

He may of been about to introduce his girls to his new girlfriend.

A new father figure could upset him.

[LostDoggy]

Absolutely. But that's one of the risks you take surely.

[bornadog]

Absolutely. But that's one of the risks you take surely.

I can imagine it could still hurt watching your kids with someone else.

[Sedat]

A new father figure could upset him.
That's not his concern, nor would it be her concern if Stringer had a new partner. Will never understand those couples that separate and then have the arrogance and audacity to assume ownership and influence over their ex.partner's private life.

[bornadog]

That's not his concern, nor would it be her concern if Stringer had a new partner. Will never understand those couples that separate and then have the arrogance and audacity to assume ownership and influence over their ex.partner's private life.

Yeah agree, but it happens, and they are young 23 year olds.

We are just trying to work out if they had an argument of some sort and she decided to tell all. Couldn't think of any other reason.

[LostDoggy]

That's not his concern, nor would it be her concern if Stringer had a new partner. Will never understand those couples that separate and then have the arrogance and audacity to assume ownership and influence over their ex.partner's private life.

It absolutely happens especially when there are big egos involved.

[westdog54]

Yeah agree, but it happens, and they are young 23 year olds.

We are just trying to work out if they had an argument of some sort and she decided to tell all. Couldn't think of any other reason.

Maybe she, like Bevo, got sick of his shit and decided to stop protecting him.

I know I would.

[Doc26]

I suppose the question is what level of responsibility the club has to manage Jakes personal life. Assuming what Bornadog has said is true (I'm inclined to trust him on this) they've done a fair bit to try and help him and let him know he has a problem so what else can an employer do?

If his team mates also let him know they weren't happy with what he was doing you're really at the limit of feasible options to help him and by extension Abby

I tend to agree with what I've picked up.

I'm not so much questioning the Club's handling of what has played out with Jake, primarily as I have little account of what we have done, but more how (or if) we respond to the claim by Abby that senior figures (not players) failed to hear her out about what she has seen to be a fast moving train off its rails. I'm not sure we can let this slide in the hope that public sentiment might simply interpret this as outside the Club's jurisdiction.

This for mine warrants a response by the Club to put forward our supporting position of the situation, although one that may seem contrary to Abby's take on it. The risk here of course is that if we don't manage this response cleverly it may well inflame an already volatile situation, with more unloading of dirty laundry from the effected parties.

[ledge]

I tend to agree with what I've picked up.

I'm not so much questioning the Club's handling of what has played out with Jake, primarily as I have little account of what we have done, but more how (or if) we respond to the claim by Abby that senior figures (not players) failed to hear her out about what she has seen to be a fast moving train off its rails. I'm not sure we can let this slide in the hope that others might see this as outside our jurisdiction.

This for mine warrants a response by the Club to put forward our supporting position of the situation, although one that may seem contrary to Abby's take on it. The risk here of course is that if we don't message this response cleverly it may well inflame an already volatile situation, with more unloading of dirty laundry from the effected parties.

In support of the club this is her opinion and she obviously hasn't had a lot to do with Jake lately so I'm not sure she would quite know what the club had been doing to help Jake recently.
And Jake being in the state he is would have lied to a lot of people so if she was listening to and believing him I wouldn't be taking it as gospel.

[Dry Rot]

The risk here of course is that if we don't manage this response cleverly it may well inflame an already volatile situation, with more unloading of dirty laundry from the effected parties.

Agreed.

Pray for a Tigers win, and this will disappear for a while.

[Doc26]

In support of the club this is her opinion and she obviously hasn't had a lot to do with Jake lately so I'm not sure she would quite know what the club had been doing to help Jake recently.
And Jake being in the state he is would have lied to a lot of people so if she was listening to and believing him I wouldn't be taking it as gospel.

Ledge, do you feel the Club should make a public comment to Abby's accusation, are we best to keep it in-house, or do we use a hybrid and have our 'friendlies' in the media subtly get the message out as to how we have supported the situation? This is what the MarComms. guys would be typically assessing with such headline news albeit interestingly published just days after all the leading AFL news breaking shows have shut up shop for the season.

[ledge]

Well it's a message from his ex about his personal life,and it's her outside view, would she know the club has done nothing considering they haven't been together for a year or so?
I'm not sure we should reply, I was always instructed wait a few days when you have a clear head and have taken it all in.
My concern at the club would be stringers mental Health after this has come out.
The club isn't one to make many statements in the media, so I don't expect anything except maybe a one stressing that Jakes health is most important. We might have had enough but we still need to show some compassion.

[GVGjr]

Could be career over.

No team will take him given the push into AFLW. We can't have him back.

He'll sit the year out and never play AFL again.

I was gutted when I heard he was on the trade table. Now I know why, I don't want him at the club. A-grade sh1t bloke.

It might be hard to fathom but there would be other examples in the AFL now where married players have taken advantage of their fame by having relationships with younger females and some of those would also have gambling issues. The difference is that their ex wives/partners probably haven't gone public with their stories. I'd imagine there are more than a few 'shit blokes' in the AFL.

Yes it's not ideal but they somehow are able to fulfill their work commitments. I take no enjoyment from hearing about Jake's indiscretions that are now being played out in public but he is going to need our help now more than ever and we have to stand by him. It doesn't for one minute mean we accept it but we just can't abandon him.

Whatever it takes

I'm lukewarm about the club addressing the claims but we need to do something dignified, rather we very simply say we will contact both Jake and Abby and offer support.
This is when the big boys at the club earn their money

[ledge]

It might be hard to fathom but there would be other examples in the AFL now where married players have taken advantage of their fame by having relationships with younger females and some of those would also have gambling issues. The difference is that their ex wives/partners probably haven't gone public with their stories. I'd imagine there are more than a few 'shit blokes' in the AFL.

Yes it's not ideal but they somehow are able to fulfill their work commitments. I take no enjoyment from hearing about Jake's indiscretions that are now being played out in public but he is going to need our help now more than ever and we have to stand by him. It doesn't for one minute mean we accept it but we just can't abandon him.

Whatever it takes

I'm lukewarm about the club addressing the claims but we need to do something dignified, rather we very simply say we will contact both Jake and Abby and offer support.
This is when the big boys at the club earn their money

Yes there's a rumour been going around a while now about a player at another club having an affair, his form dropped right away and he has been talked of as a trade the last year.
It's not rare in the world, sadly marriage isn't taken as seriously as it was in previous eras.

[SonofScray]

I hav a small amount of empathy for Stringer still. He has messed up his relationship, his job and his future. It has all played out very publicly and while it would seem to be his own doing, you just don't know for certain where he is at with it all. Some horrible decision making has taken place. Hurtful behaviour.

It's all a bit too salacious for me. The fan family offering up their blessings to have Jake shag their 17 year old daughter is an awful thread. That just sounds too far fetched to me, just horrible.

Sadness. That's the feeling. A potential GOAT self destructing in front of us.

[whythelongface]

These are actually known issues, any club interested in him would have done the homework.

It's probably a good thing that it's come out in the open and hopefully he will get some assistance with this.

I would hope that Abby gets some assistance from the club in regards to this issue. In particular financial support as well as emotional support.

[Twodogs]

I think any treatment or assistance Jake has received from the club would be confidential. Outside of saying Jake is receiving or has been offered counselling for his problems or something like that I'm not sure we can say anything.

[westdog54]

If we de-list him I think we need to pay out his contract and he can eventually leave as a delisted free agent right? I think we completely agree, use whatever mechanism to keep him out until trust is re-set. If it's ever re-set. I think WCE forced McGovern to train at the WAFL club for a good stint not to far back.

Edit: or are you saying let him sit the year out altogether?

It might sound vindictive, but he sits out the year until he's ready to return to football on the club's terms.

If anyone wants him a year out of football after recent revelations they're welcome to him as a delisted free agent.

The day after list lodgement, write him a cheque for his base contract and have whatever is left of his locker couriered to his house.

If he wants to come back on our terms he can force his way into the team and earn some match payments.

Vindictive? Maybe. But the club needs to make a statement here.

The person who needs the most support right now is Abby, and it looks like JJ and the playing group have her back.

[Topdog]

Do we have a duty of care to him?

Talk of delisting him sounds like providing no support at all and I'd much rather we suspend him from playing until he gets himself right

[MrMahatma]

Do we have a duty of care to him?

Talk of delisting him sounds like providing no support at all and I'd much rather we suspend him from playing until he gets himself right

He may be young but he's not a baby. If he's been offered support and ingmkred it over the past. Poole of seasons, I think we've done our bit and should curb him.

There's not much more you should expect from your employer.

[ratsmac]

I would of thought Cooney would have known exactly what Jake has been up because I know he is/was good friends with him. I know that Cooney's wife is good friends win Abbey too. Now if Cooney knew the situation why would he make the comments about Bevo publicly naming Jake about being traded insinuating that Bevo is the bad guy? Either Cooney didn't know how bad Jake's situation actually is because Abbey told no one and obviously Jake thinks he doesn't have a problem or Cooney is just a complete moron for making such comments.

It's going to be interesting times ahead seeing how the so call experts go for Jake and apologise to the club or say nothing as usual.

[Webby]

I actually think this might be some shrewd work by a certain rival list manager.

Anyone know which team the HS chief AFL reporter supports?

Possibly. If any club feels it's big enough to ride out an extremely poor "look" and cope with ordinary publicity, it's Essendon..!
Which just makes them even more likeable!

However, as I've said before. Dodoro will low-ball and stuff everyone around and Jake will end up staying. The equation's still the same. First round pick, or he stays.

As for Jake's behaviour, I think people would be surprised at just how much similar behaviour goes on within EVERY AFL club list... it's a shame, but it's par for the course, unfortunately.

I think things will settle down, Jake will stay, and we'll find out if he has the character to redeem things. If not, he goes next year.

[GVGjr]

I would of thought Cooney would have known exactly what Jake has been up because I know he is/was good friends with him. I know that Cooney's wife is good friends win Abbey. Now if Cooney knew the situation why would he make the comments about Bevo publicly naming Jake about being traded insinuating that Bevo is the bad guy? Either Cooney didn't know how bad Jake's situation actually is because Abbey told no one and obviously Jake thinks he doesn't have a problem or Cooney is just a complete moron for making such comments.

It's going to be interesting times ahead.

Cooney is very lucky he has a job in the media. Other than having a good nature and a bit humor he is very much still a boy who's opinions on anything serious shouldn't be given a lot of consideration.

[G-Mo77]

Cooney is very lucky he has a job in the media. Other than having a good nature and a bit humor he is very much still a boy who's opinions on anything serious shouldn't be given a lot of consideration.

The word wanker comes to mind.

[GVGjr]

The word wanker comes to mind.

A very talented player who's immature behavior was tolerated for too long. At the time there was a lot of people critical of his departure from the club but it was the right decision albeit a season or later than ideal.

I don't see a lot of people defending him now and it annoys me that he is prominent on media shows. I think he is on Trade Radio next week.

[GVGjr]

So given the news from yesterday I'd say it's very unlikely we will get anything of value from a trade perspective for Stringer and it's more likely he will be at the club next year. I think we can make a success of it but clearly Stringer has some work to do and his manager now becomes a critical part of any rehabilitation.

We have survived effectively sacking Brad Hardie and then Jason Akermanis and we will survive Jake Stringer. It now comes down if we survive or thrive with Jake.

[The Underdog]

Maybe she, like Bevo, got sick of his shit and decided to stop protecting him.

I know I would.

I'd imagine him pissing away money that could set their kids up for life, on gambling would play a pretty big part in it.

The story of him with the underage girl and the parents is messed up but also not the first time I've heard something similar in football circles.
I'm not sure what his worth is from a trade perspective now but it looks like the club decided that it was better to get him out of there no matter what for the good of the group. Hearing Abby's side you have to say that they're doing the right thing. I'm pleased to hear that she got some support from the players.

[Twodogs]

Do we have a duty of care to him?

Talk of delisting him sounds like providing no support at all and I'd much rather we suspend him from playing until he gets himself right

As long as he is an employee of the football club then yes we do.


I would of thought Cooney would have known exactly what Jake has been up because I know he is/was good friends with him. I know that Cooney's wife is good friends win Abbey too. Now if Cooney knew the situation why would he make the comments about Bevo publicly naming Jake about being traded insinuating that Bevo is the bad guy? Either Cooney didn't know how bad Jake's situation actually is because Abbey told no one and obviously Jake thinks he doesn't have a problem or Cooney is just a complete moron for making such comments.

It's going to be interesting times ahead seeing how the so call experts go for Jake and apologise to the club or say nothing as usual.

Cooney is a turd.


Possibly. If any club feels it's big enough to ride out an extremely poor "look" and cope with ordinary publicity, it's Essendon..!
Which just makes them even more likeable!

However, as I've said before. Dodoro will low-ball and stuff everyone around and Jake will end up staying. The equation's still the same. First round pick, or he stays.

As for Jake's behaviour, I think people would be surprised at just how much similar behaviour goes on within EVERY AFL club list... it's a shame, but it's par for the course, unfortunately.

I think things will settle down, Jake will stay, and we'll find out if he has the character to redeem things. If not, he goes next year.

Agree. We just don't tend to hear about it.

[Topdog]

He may be young but he's not a baby. If he's been offered support and ingmkred it over the past. Poole of seasons, I think we've done our bit and should curb him.

There's not much more you should expect from your employer.

Maybe we needed to be stricter. If he was missing appointments then suspend him from playing. Of course he was injured for a lot of the year so they may have overlapped.

[bulldogtragic]

So given the news from yesterday I'd say it's very unlikely we will get anything of value from a trade perspective for Stringer and it's more likely he will be at the club next year. I think we can make a success of it but clearly Stringer has some work to do and his manager now becomes a critical part of any rehabilitation.

We have survived effectively sacking Brad Hardie and then Jason Akermanis and we will survive Jake Stringer. It now comes down if we survive or thrive with Jake.

I've got no personal experience with addictions, other than seeing it in others. If this is truly his rock bottom, maybe if he realises it and wants to rise from it, then staying after a ban away from the club, with club support might be better than a shit trade for us and redemption as a human for him.

[Go_Dogs]

I tend to agree with what I've picked up.

I'm not so much questioning the Club's handling of what has played out with Jake, primarily as I have little account of what we have done, but more how (or if) we respond to the claim by Abby that senior figures (not players) failed to hear her out about what she has seen to be a fast moving train off its rails. I'm not sure we can let this slide in the hope that public sentiment might simply interpret this as outside the Club's jurisdiction.

This for mine warrants a response by the Club to put forward our supporting position of the situation, although one that may seem contrary to Abby's take on it. The risk here of course is that if we don't manage this response cleverly it may well inflame an already volatile situation, with more unloading of dirty laundry from the effected parties.

I was thinking about this last night and what the potential scenarios look like. It's a matter of timing, and we know that they've been separated for over 12 months now, so was it like this:-

JS: I'm struggling with my personal matters, please don't talk to Abby and get involved in them.

AG: Jake needs some help, I need some help - can I talk to someone at the Club?

WB: Sorry AG, we're, along with his manager/solicitor supporting Jake but can't get involved in these matters.

The amount of money that gets spent and resources that are available, there's no way the Club hasn't endeavoured to assist and support Jake. Gambling is a focus from junior levels all the way through and there's a number of examples where it's ruined players' lives.

As far as personal matters and infidelity, I don't know if that's really the place for club administrators to step in and take a moral stance - certainly the AFL has had some significant issues at executive level this year, but it hasn't yet reached a point where it's led to a player leaving a club (the Carey one being set aside because it deals with a very different set of facts). The players have (based on what's coming to light) voiced their concerns about his behaviour, and presumably that's led to the coaches doing the same because it begins to impact the entire playing group.

It doesn't look good, but our stance from 2 weeks ago is now understandable - we just need to be clear we've supported, and continue to support, Jake as best we can. A public position confirming we're still doing this would be great - and our 'it's not irretrievable' position kind of speaks to it - let's firm it up, let's work with Jake, his manager, his family and turn this around.

[bornadog]

I hav a small amount of empathy for Stringer still. He has messed up his relationship, his job and his future. It has all played out very publicly and while it would seem to be his own doing, you just don't know for certain where he is at with it all. Some horrible decision making has taken place. Hurtful behaviour.

It's all a bit too salacious for me. The fan family offering up their blessings to have Jake shag their 17 year old daughter is an awful thread. That just sounds too far fetched to me, just horrible.

Sadness. That's the feeling. A potential GOAT self destructing in front of us.

Having thought about this overnight I tend to agree and do have some empthay.

I think this could be a good opportunity to call Jake in and look at the next steps. See if he is willing to change his life for the good of himself and his two young children.

We we have to remember he is 23 years old with two kids which is a huge responsibility, not many 23 year olds would be in that position. Yes the club has tried previously but now this is out in the open Stringer is no doubt embarrassed and may see things differently.

[ledge]

I've got no personal experience with addictions, other than seeing it in others. If this is truly his rock bottom, maybe if he realises it and wants to rise from it, then staying after a ban away from the club, with club support might be better than a shit trade for us and redemption as a human for him.

Problem is he isn't realising it . To come out and say he doesn't know why he was on the trade table says a lot about his state of mind and his self denial of anything being his cause or fault.
I was baffled when he said he was shocked and doesn't know then admitted to making mistakes . Points to me he knows exactly why but for some reason won't accept the consequences of it.
That press conference went horribly wrong, and I don't think Connors had any idea that Jake was going to say that.

[ledge]

My thoughts are he needs to sit alone and take a deep Look into what he wants in life what he needs to do to get there and find aims and goals , be it little every day ones or the big picture, think of his children and how he and the mother can be the best parents and they don't have to be together to do that.

Look into his mistakes don't look at it as him being a bad person but learning and maturing from them, move forward go back to the club admit he has done wrong and ask how to fix things and be fully committed, face the club and players and man up.
The best thing for him is to hang out with the hardest working peer group at the club and become part of them, players like Mitch Wallis who do everything they can to be right.

[Danny the snakeman]

The story of him with the underage girl and the parents is messed up but also not the first time I've heard something similar in football circles.


The girl was young but not under age.

[The bulldog tragician]

The main problem with him staying is surely the feelings of the playing group. Jake is undoubtedly not the first and won't be the last player to have behaved this way.

But if he has alienated the tight circle which includes wives and partners and repeatedly betrayed that trust then I wonder if the situation can be redeemed.

As for the idea of giving him every chance for redemption/turnaround the problem is we don't know how many of these he's already had. Last year's banishment to the VFL makes a whole lot more sense.

I don't know what the answer is but there is a real concern that him remaining at the club, if he has burnt lots of bridges, might continue to be a disruptive and ultimately corrosive force. Another consideration is influence on younger guys at club. - not that jake is all that old himself, but you'd certainly not feel great if you saw him and Lewis Young constantly hanging out at the local coffee shop together.

We are in a really difficult situation as it would be surprising if he attracted any other interest but keeping him has many problems. I can't believe things have gone south so quickly in 12 months for our club. Dealing with this issue while still being respectful of Jake's mental health and the hurt he's caused is one of the biggest challenges for Bevo yet.

[The Underdog]

The girl was young but not under age.

Yep, legally not underage. Ethically, he’s a *!*!*!*!ing moron.

[Flamethrower]

So unfortunately a some of the rumours about Jake's behaviour that I have heard during the year have turned out to be true - very disappointing.

With their Respect and Responsibility Policy, one would think that the AFL will get involved now that it has gone public.

I can see a significant suspension coming Stringer's way, either from the Bulldogs themselves (at the behest of HQ) or from the AFL.

Whether he stays or goes, what a great role model for young players, and football fans....NOT.

[ledge]

So unfortunately a some of the rumours about Jake's behaviour that I have heard during the year have turned out to be true - very disappointing.

With their Respect and Responsibility Policy, one would think that the AFL will get involved now that it has gone public.

I can see a significant suspension coming Stringer's way, either from the Bulldogs themselves (at the behest of HQ) or from the AFL.

Whether he stays or goes, what a great role model for young players, and football fans....NOT.

I think they have to look at him and what's best for him and a suspension might be the worst you could do , alienate him from the ones who could help.

[hujsh]

I hav a small amount of empathy for Stringer still. He has messed up his relationship, his job and his future. It has all played out very publicly and while it would seem to be his own doing, you just don't know for certain where he is at with it all. Some horrible decision making has taken place. Hurtful behaviour.

It's all a bit too salacious for me. The fan family offering up their blessings to have Jake shag their 17 year old daughter is an awful thread. That just sounds too far fetched to me, just horrible.



I really hope she's mistaken on that point. Like maybe that's what the 17 year old said and the 17 year old is full of shit? Very sad and strange if true.

[jeemak]

As distasteful as it is the AFL can't suspend him for having a lawful personal relationship. Jesus.

[Remi Moses]

As distasteful as it is the AFL can't suspend him for having a lawful personal relationship. Jesus.

Thought the same thing . Would have been no teams filled in the past

[bornadog]

As distasteful as it is the AFL can't suspend him for having a lawful personal relationship. Jesus.

Exactly you can't suspend him for being a dickhead.

[ledge]

I really hope she's mistaken on that point. Like maybe that's what the 17 year old said and the 17 year old is full of shit? Very sad and strange if true.

Didn't she send naked pics of Jake to confirm it ?

[Twodogs]

Didn't she send naked pics of Jake to confirm it ?

I think they mean about her parents being cool with it. I'd be cool with it so long as Jake was cool with me whacking him with a broomstick 5 or 6 times beforehand.(I wouldn't be cool with it)

[ledge]

I think they mean about her parents being cool with it. I'd be cool with it so long as Jake was cool with me whacking him with a broomstick 5 or 6 times beforehand.(I wouldn't be cool with it)

Haha when my daughter started bringing home a boyfriend I pulled him aside and whispered in his ear just remember what you do to my daughter I will do to you.

[Twodogs]

Haha when my daughter started bringing home a boyfriend I pulled him aside and whispered in his ear just remember what you do to my daughter I will do to you.

So we can finish the night with me giving you a quick peck on the cheek or...

[ledge]

So we can finish the night with me giving you a quick peck on the cheek or...

I was taking a chance I know because if he was bi and liked older men I was the one in strife.

[ledge]

Back to the thread .. Just what would make us trade him now it seems with what's coming out we would take anything.

[GVGjr]

Exactly you can't suspend him for being a dickhead.

The club can if he has broken rules within his contract.

[GVGjr]

Back to the thread .. Just what would make us trade him now it seems with what's coming out we would take anything.

We should only trade him if he really doesn't want to be at the club. We shouldn't just take anything.
StKilda stuck with Carlisle and it's worked OK, there might be something we can learn from that

[ledge]

The club can if he has broken rules within his contract.

Being late for appointments/ training would be enough.
Happens quite a bit with other clubs even going back to the 70s.

[ledge]

We should only trade him if he really doesn't want to be at the club. We shouldn't just take anything.
StKilda stuck with Carlisle and it's worked OK, there might be something we can learn from that

I think it's Stringer that's got to learn not the club.
And that's the big question do we think he can and does he think he can or want to ?

[GVGjr]

Being late for appointments/ training would be enough.
Happens quite a bit with other clubs even going back to the 70s.

There are a few other clauses as well but I think we have explored this enough.

[hujsh]

I think they mean about her parents being cool with it. I'd be cool with it so long as Jake was cool with me whacking him with a broomstick 5 or 6 times beforehand.(I wouldn't be cool with it)

Yeah the 'It's OK for you to sleep with our 17 year old daughter because you played a poor-mediocre part in a premiership for the football club we like. And we won't worry about how this might affect your pregnant wife and young child." part of it is what I hope is wrong

[Twodogs]

We should only trade him if he really doesn't want to be at the club. We shouldn't just take anything.
StKilda stuck with Carlisle and it's worked OK, there might be something we can learn from that


Carlisle is a good example.


Being late for appointments/ training would be enough.
Happens quite a bit with other clubs even going back to the 70s.

Problem is if we sack Stringer for being late to appointments etc. then we have to be able to point to all the other steps in the disciplinary ladder like official warnings and written demands which I'm betting don't exist anywhere in written form. Then the next time any other player misses an appointment or is late for training the club will have solicitors letters asking when that player can expect to be sacked and if he isn't going to be sacked then why was my client sacked?

That's what I'd do anyway.


I think it's Stringer that's got to learn not the club.
And that's the big question do we think he can and does he think he can or want to ?

We've all got a bit to learn from this.

[AndrewP6]

Problem is if we sack Stringer for being late to appointments etc. then we have to be able to point to all the other steps in the disciplinary ladder like official warnings and written demands which I'm betting don't exist anywhere in written form. Then the next time any other player misses an appointment or is late for training the club will have solicitors letters asking when that player can expect to be sacked and if he isn't going to be sacked then why was my client sacked?


.
I'd be willing to bet that it has been documented. We're not just talking about being late for one or two training runs here.

[ledge]

Carlisle is a good example.



Problem is if we sack Stringer for being late to appointments etc. then we have to be able to point to all the other steps in the disciplinary ladder like official warnings and written demands which I'm betting don't exist anywhere in written form. Then the next time any other player misses an appointment or is late for training the club will have solicitors letters asking when that player can expect to be sacked and if he isn't going to be sacked then why was my client sacked?

That's what I'd do anyway.




We've all got a bit to learn from this.

I was talking about him being banned not sacked.

[Twodogs]

I'd be willing to bet that it has been documented. We're not just talking about being late for one or two training runs here.

I hope you are right. I must admit I am thinking of what the club would have been like ten years ago and it's grown a bit since then.


I was talking about him being banned not sacked.

Same effect I would think. A half decent lawyer would argue that was just sophistry and I'd reckon the beak would agree.

[ledge]

I hope you are right. I must admit I am thinking of what the club would have been like ten years ago and it's grown a bit since then.



Same effect I would think. A half decent lawyer would argue that was just sophistry and I'd reckon the beak would agree.

Ok call it suspended then.
Has not fulfilled his contractual obligations

[Twodogs]

Ok call it suspended then.
Has not fulfilled his contractual obligations


So long as his misdemeanours have been documented and he has had all his rights explained and adhered to through any disciplinary processes we can call it what we want. The footy club have a HR department (it must have, it has 100+ employees) I hope it's fingerprints are all over this.

[ledge]

So long as his misdemeanours have been documented and he has had all his rights explained and adhered to through any disciplinary processes we can call it what we want. The footy club have a HR department (it must have, it has 100+ employees) I hope it's fingerprints are all over this.

It's pretty obvious they have been for two years, a bloke with that much talent you would have tried everything to get him right, help and assist as his ex says he doesn't want to see it.

[merantau]

Feel very sorry for the young woman but looks like she is coming out the other side now after going public.

On the other hand it seems that Jake has not even reached the "end of the beginning" as he is in denial.
Disaster - but we will get through it. He is only one player.
Don't know if he can stay at the Club. What a mess.

[ReLoad]

Let's be honest, Jake even though he was down in our premiership year still played a big part in it.

The outcome needs to be the same from the trade. We're not going to get 2015 stringer value, but if we can get 2016 stringers value then we will have done well.

A late first rounder will get the job done. Stringer is cooked. It's going to take a lot of patience to get him sorted out.

I'd suggest his demons will be with him a long time, chances are he could never be truly gone from him. :(

I hope he gets better, likewise I hope Abby and the kids can come through too.

[LostDoggy]

Nice to see some measured and considered discussion about the situation. The crap being spoken on BigFooty.com is nauseating!

[Twodogs]

Nice to see some measured and considered discussion about the situation. The crap being spoken on BigFooty.com is nauseating!


That wouldn't have happened back in the day when it had great moderators. Up until about ten years ago I reckon it was.

I wonder what happened to those guys?:cool:

[Dry Rot]

That wouldn't have happened back in the day when it had great moderators. Up until about ten years ago I reckon it was.

I wonder what happened to those guys?:cool:

Last I heard they'd joined ISIS in Syria.

[Twodogs]

Last I heard they'd joined ISIS in Syria.


Hehe! Yeah, they wanted to live in a safer place than downtown Footscray!

Not to mention moderating the situation in Syria would have to be easier than sorting out your average BF shit fight.

[Ghost Dog]

I feel sad. He was a hero to a lot of country kids and one of my favourites.
At first I thought "It's going to be sad to see him in another jumper" but now I could not care. To me it means a set of values to put on the Bulldogs colours. Winning games is the last part.

As a sad indictment on the AFL world of stardom, I actually doubt it will damage the value we will get from him.
Would not be surprised if we get a good pick and player for him. Who knows? This might be RG / Tom Boyd upside all over again.
At least it makes trade period a bit interesting.
How hard would it have been to stand on the podium arm in arm with that guy!!

[ledge]

Oh it will damage his value don't worry the other clubs will make it a reason to, it's up to us to make the decision of how low will we go before we decide to keep him.

[Ghost Dog]

Oh it will damage his value don't worry the other clubs will make it a reason to, it's up to us to make the decision of how low will we go before we decide to keep him.

Jeez I feel for his ex-wife. These things are devastating enough without having to play it out in the public arena.
If he were a bit older, I might think the same, but he doesn't seem like a Fevola or an Akermanis type, he is just 23 ( am I right? ) and a lot of clubs ( I hope, fingers crossed ) will back themselves in to turn him around. Hopefully, there will be some competition for him, thus making him a bit more valuable.

Ledge, what do you think we will get for him?

[AndrewP6]

If the stories are true, I hate what he's done. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour, all of it.

That said, I don't want him running around, tearing us apart in opposition colours. Supremely talented, he could be and do just about anything. As remote a chance as it may be, I hope he stays and can turn himself around. I'd say we can help, but if the problems are as big as reported, he alone has got to want to do it. I hope he can, and I hope it's when he's with us.

[ledge]

Jeez I feel for his ex-wife. These things are devastating enough without having to play it out in the public arena.
If he were a bit older, I might think the same, but he doesn't seem like a Fevola or an Akermanis type, he is just 23 ( am I right? ) and a lot of clubs ( I hope, fingers crossed ) will back themselves in to turn him around. Hopefully, there will be some competition for him, thus making him a bit more valuable.

Ledge, what do you think we will get for him?

I have no idea but you need at least two clubs wanting him to get his value up.
I wish he could stay but I tend to think it's the players who had enough as well.
All the rubbish going around about the club being in turmoil I think are actually the opposite and Stringer being put up for draft shows we are tight knit and won't accept anyone who isn't 100% . I believe Trengove is very much a leader and will push himself and the others.

[Ghost Dog]

I have no idea but you need at least two clubs wanting him to get his value up.
I wish he could stay but I tend to think it's the players who had enough as well.
All the rubbish going around about the club being in turmoil I think are actually the opposite and Stringer being put up for draft shows we are tight knit and won't accept anyone who isn't 100% . I believe Trengove is very much a leader and will push himself and the others.

All good points Ledge.
I would say there will be more than one club.
His ex doesn't sound too impressed by the support from the club.

[ledge]

All good points Ledge.
I would say there will be more than one club.
His ex doesn't sound too impressed by the support from the club.

As far as his ex not being happy with the club I think it was her more looking back in hindsight, the club did what it could but he just Wouldn't commit, maybe they could have done more and that's obvious after he has gone off the rails, I don't see how they could do more when he wasn't even turning up to the things the club had organised to help him.
I would like to see the Ox helping him out gambling wise, his fame has bought him young girls and he has been sucked in being young.
He is young he is immature and had everything thrown at him, it a common thing and over the years a lot of players have lost the plot due to it , some recover some don't will he ? Only the future will tell.
Abbey has had to take on a lot, I don't think she blames anyone but him in reality.

[Eastdog]

Disappointing to hear all that with Stringer. No wonder why he has not doing that great this year. Was speaking to my mate today and he reckons they will probably hold out till the last day with the Stringer trade and doesn't expect anything will happen on the first day of the trade period.

[ledge]

Disappointing to hear all that with Stringer. No wonder why he has not doing that great this year. Was speaking to my mate today and he reckons they will probably hold out till the last day with the Stringer trade and doesn't expect anything will happen on the first day of the trade period.

No way will it happen early as the opposition know we want him gone and know he will go so they will do all the other trades then see what they have left and just offer that up
And say take it or leave it

[Ozza]

Would be a great result to get pick 11 for Stringer - but unfortunately that isn't realistic given the relationship between Jake and the club and the perception/reality that at the moment he is damaged goods.

I expect we will end up with pick 20 - which is disappointing.

[GVGjr]

Would be a great result to get pick 11 for Stringer - but unfortunately that isn't realistic given the relationship between Jake and the club and the perception/reality that at the moment he is damaged goods.

I expect we will end up with pick 20 - which is disappointing.

I'm not prepared to write off a top 15 pick for Stringer just yet. Clubs will do what they think will benefit their team and Stringer will make a club stronger once he regains his focus.

I also believe we will keep him unless a good offer comes forward. Early days

[anfo27]

I'm not prepared to write off a top 15 pick for Stringer just yet. Clubs will do what they think will benefit their team and Stringer will make a club stronger once he regains his focus.

I also believe we will keep him unless a good offer comes forward. Early days

Just an opinion or have you heard anything to indicate that? I know bevo came out and said we aren't going to give him away but i take those comments with a grain of salt, seemed like posturing for a better deal to me.

[ratsmac]

I'm not prepared to write off a top 15 pick for Stringer just yet. Clubs will do what they think will benefit their team and Stringer will make a club stronger once he regains his focus.

I also believe we will keep him unless a good offer comes forward. Early days
Yeah indeed. Just because his personal life is not perfect or to what we expect to be acceptable, that doesn't mean he is all of a sudden a shit footballer. The bloke can seriously play the game and that's what we need to sell.

If offers are above pick 20 then I hope the club knocks it back and he ends up staying with a fresh attitude adjustment.

[GVGjr]

Just an opinion or have you heard anything to indicate that? I know bevo came out and said we aren't going to give him away but i take those comments with a grain of salt, seemed like posturing for a better deal to me.

Just an opinion but interested clubs would have already known about some of Jake's traits and yet they were still interested. Now they might try and use the article from his ex to strike a better deal but if we hold firm we won't be ripped off.
We might have to concede some ground but I'm hopeful it won't be a fire sale.