Jake Stringer in Sydney Swans twist as Collingwood ruled out of race for Essendon star

The Sydney Swans have emerged as the front-runners to secure the services of Jake Stringer despite Collingwood being tipped to land the Essendon star last week. The Magpies had been linked with a play for Stringer, but SEN's Sam Edmund reports they are no longer in the mix for his signature.

The 30-year-old is contracted to the Bombers for 2025 but he is seeking greater security in the form of a contract for 2026. During the 2024 season, Stringer triggered a clause for a deal worth around $400,000 for 2025 but Essendon have been reluctant to extend Stringer beyond next season or upgrade his deal. And Edmund believes the Swans are interested in offering him a more desirable contract than the one on offer at Essendon, however, it won't be until after their 2024 season with the club's focus on their preliminary final clash with Port Adelaide.

"He’s looking for a multi-year deal and that is ongoing," Edmund told SEN’s Whateley. "What I can tell you is it’s not Collingwood and it won’t be Collingwood. Put a line through Stringer joining the Pies.

"The trigger for next year at Essendon, it’s a lot more than $400,000 – it’s not that offensive, but he wants the second year on that contract. As we sit here now, there’s a chance it could be Sydney. In fact, I’d have them as the most likely. There’s plenty to work through here. I’m not saying he’s definitely going to Sydney, but I’d have them right there at the front of proceedings for Jake Stringer.”

Despite constant criticism of the defensive side of his game, Stringer has been potent on the offensive end, kicking 42 goals in 2024. It was his best goal tally at the Bombers and equalled his 2016 tally when he was at the Western Bulldogs - the second-best goalscoring season of his career - behind only his 56-goal tally in 2015.

Jake Stringer tipped to leave Essendon

But after seven seasons at the Bombers, Stringer has reportedly had enough and is looking to chase a more lucrative contract. “He has hit a trigger for one more season at the Bombers. He has $400,000 on that deal for next year but he wants more money and a longer term of two years,” Callum Twomey told AFL.com.au's Gettable podcast last week.

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"Jake Stringer is telling people he’s played his last game for the Bombers and that he’s done there." Earlier this month Essendon revealed they are "not budging" on the current offer to Stringer, according to a Herald Sun report. And Bombers great Matthew Lloyd has questioned whether Stringer is consistent enough to play for a flag contender. "What’s funny is, the Bombers are desperate for a forward, but they obviously see enough where they go, ‘You know what, we’re probably best to move Jake Stringer on’," Lloyd said on Channel 9's Footy Classified,

"I think they (Essendon) get frustrated with his lack of consistency, from one week to the next, one game to the next. His best is great, but his bad is bad."