AFL veteran Jake Stringer meets with former club Essendon over prospect of shock return

AFL veteran Jake Stringer has met with Essendon as the club explores a shock move to bring the goalkicker back to the Bombers.

Stringer was let go by the Giants at the end of the season despite kicking 48 goals, the most of any player at the club.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jake Stringer faces uncertain AFL future

He has since returned to Melbourne in the hope of joining a Victorian team but yet to find a suitor.

However, a return to the Bombers could be on the cards with 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire reporting he has met new coach Mark McVeigh on Sunday morning.

The pair have a family connection with Stringer married to McVeigh’s cousin.

“Stringer camp is hopeful of securing a list spot. Bombers have higher priorities to get through. Plenty to play out,” McGuire added.

The 32-year-old spent seven seasons at Essendon, winning the leading goalkicker award three times.

He arguably had his best season in 2024 when he kicked 42 goals, but ended up leaving to join the Giants on a two-year deal.

While Stringer is keen to continue his AFL career, he is also “fine” if that doesn’t happen.

“I called Jake Stringer last night and we had a good chat, and he made it very clear to me, and he didn’t mind me saying this on air because I think it just reframes the discussion a little bit, that if he doesn’t get picked up by another club, he’s fine,” 7NEWS reporter Tom Morris said on AFL Trade Radio last week.

“He’s happy to do some coaching, hopefully start his academy, help out young kids, do other things, spend time with the family.

“I think he understands that being in AFL football is not the be-all and end-all now. You know, he’s been doing it for a long time.

“No doubt if a club came to him, he would look at it, but he’s very happy pursuing other things in 2027, if that’s the case.”

Stringer travelled overseas to see his brother in the off-season, which helped him gain a bit of perspective as well.

“He went to visit his brother and I think they’ve got three or four kids at least in Ireland, and I think just a bit of perspective in the off-season,” Morris said.

“I think his views evolve. He’s probably got his head around the fact that there might not be a club that wants him, and he’s content with what he’s achieved in his career.

“So if it is the end, he’s OK with that.”

Stringer was originally drafted to the Bulldogs with pick No.5 in the 2012 draft and played 89 games in five years at the Kennel, including the 2016 premiership, before moving to Essendon ahead of the 2018 season.

The 2015 All-Australian had an up and down stint at the Bombers, but ultimately still won the club’s goalkicking award three times before being essentially put on the scrapheap at the end of 2024.

That’s when the Giants took a punt on him and rediscovered some of his best form across the past two seasons.

AFL great Tom Mitchell said Stringer looms as a potential recruit through the pre-season supplemental selection period, which will give clubs the opportunity to see the veteran train before committing.

“I think for any club that does take a punt on Jake Stringer, he seems like the type of player that you might want him as a train-on and train until February and prove yourself and show your fitness and come in committed, and then potentially a club (could take him),” Mitchell told The Agenda Setters last week.

“But I wouldn’t have one (a club) in mind at the moment.”