Jake Stringer’s days as a bomber appear to be numbered as Collingwood circles around him.
Plus a trade watch for a big name at Carlton, and North Melbourne are the favorites to land an Eagles veteran.
Stay up to date with the latest player movement news Trade whispers!
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STRINGER ‘PLAYED THE LAST GAME FOR BOMBERS’, MCRAE KEEN
Jake Stringer is “telling people he has played his last game for the Bombers”, with Craig McRae reportedly leading Collingwood’s interest in the striker, according to AFL Media’s Callum Twomey.
Stringer has emerged as a trade candidate as the 30-year-old looks for a longer deal for more money after hitting a 2025 trigger clause worth $400,000.
The 30-year-old, who has scored 42 goals this season – one fewer than Essendon’s leading goalkeeper Kyle Langford – was reportedly advised by club bosses to seek opportunities elsewhere if he wanted a longer contract.
Twomey suggested there are not many teams interested in Stringer at the moment, with Sydney, who was linked with the 2016 Bulldog premiership, not considered a suitor.
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“Jake Stringer is telling people he played his last game for the Bombers and he’s done there,” Twomey said. AFL Media Feasible.
‘Collingwood is interested in him. I understand that Craig McRae in particular is keen for him to join the club. Because he scores goals and sporadically influences matches.
“At the moment there is no rush of clubs chasing Stringer. I have no interest in the Swans but I do think there will be a home for him.”
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‘LOOK’ AT CERRA AMIDST BIG BLUES CALLS
Carlton’s Adam Cerra has been highlighted as a potential trade option as the club faces big call-ups for several out-of-contract players.
Three years on from his high-profile move from Fremantle, Cerra has yet to fully reach his potential, including being hampered by soft tissue injuries.
The 24-year-old has suffered five hamstring injuries in the past 12 months as one of the Blues’ struggles to stay on the park this year, limiting Cerra to 13 games.
It comes amid reports Carlton could look to acquire another first-round pick as part of a bid for Port Adelaide’s Dan Houston.
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“Did Adam Cerra accomplish what he thought they would in three years at Carlton? Yes, we know about the injuries,” Herald Sun reporter Scott Gullan said on Fox Footy’s Midweek tackle.
“I think he’s someone to watch in this whole scenario
“When Christian Petracca’s move was mooted, someone high up said to me that Carlton could get this deal done with Cerra. Maybe he needs a fresh start.
“I don’t think he’s anywhere near the promise that the Blues have been sold… he was a name that was mooted.”
It comes as Herald Sun colleague Jon Ralph reports that the Blues “don’t want to keep paying the C-tier players”, suggesting the club’s injury rate has meant they have had to compensate too many players.
People like Jack Martin, who is linked to the Dockers and The Age reports this likely to leave, Matt Owies, Caleb Marchbank and Matt Carroll are still awaiting new deals at Ikon Park ahead of exit meetings on Thursday and Friday.
“Fremantle has had medical treatment with (Martin), Carlton is not sure what will happen. I imagine Jack Martin will be somewhere else,” Ralph continued Midweek tackle.
“Again, you pay him $300,000 in match payments next year. If he’s not playing games, you’re wasting part of your cap.”
ROSE’S OFFER FOR LOVE
North Melbourne is reportedly leading the charge for Eagles veteran Jack Darling, who has an $800,000 salary for next season. reports Jon Ralph of the Herald Sun.
Ralph reports that the Roos, who have also been linked with Swans veteran Luke Parker, have offered 32-year-old Darling a two-year contract and are keen to provide support for Nick Larkey and Cam Zurhaar.
Darling scored a career-high 22 goals in 21 games this year but reportedly “believes he has several seasons left” in the AFL.
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“I understand he probably has a two-year contract (at North). There are other clubs but they are probably just there to push his price up,” Ralph said on Fox Footy’s. Midweek tackle.
“Next year he’ll have about $800,000, so it’s an interesting comparison for West Coast. Just say, ‘We want to take Jack’s wages off our books. Give us a future perspective, we don’t care, as long as you take the salary.’
‘Or are they actually trying to improve their design hand? And say, “We’ll pay $400,000-$600,000 of his deal and give us, say, Pick 30.”
“The pitch here is that he is a fitness freak and goes up and down.”
Fellow Herald Sun report Jay Clark added: “His best footy is well behind him, I think North Melbourne need to give opportunities to young players in key positions.
“I understand Luke Parker, he can be a general in midfield. But they’re not serious about Jack Darling, are they?”
