Controversial ex-Giant lands AFL lifeline with team that ‘concerns’ legend
Updated . First published at
St Kilda is set to throw Jake Stringer an AFL lifeline, after his mutual parting of ways with GWS.
The 32-year-old forward kicked 48 goals in 2026 and was unlucky to miss the All-Australian squad, but caused tension in the Giants’ locker-room, after a business venture of his went south, dragging teammates and coaches with it.
Jake Stringer has left GWS and is reportedly joining St Kilda. Getty
The venture reportedly involved fish oil supplements. Stringer has said that he paid back affected teammates.
The veteran forward has had an odd career, winning a premiership with the Western Bulldogs in 2016 before joining Essendon.
The Bombers became concerned with Stringer and the friends he was bringing into their locker-room after games, leading to a falling out there.
He joined GWS for the 2025 season and has averaged two goals per game as a Giant across two excellent on-field seasons.
On top of the issues in the Giants locker-room, Stringer stated he wished to return to Victoria to be closer to family, following the 2026 season.
However, no suitor emerged during the trade period, with reports his AFL career may be over despite his strong form.
According to multiple reports, St Kilda have clearly decided he is worth the risk, given the pressure on them to perform and their lack of firepower inside 50.
Stringer would immediately slot into their best 23 and quells some of the concerns over what was a quiet trade period for them.
Speaking before the Stringer news broke, Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd labelled St Kilda as the team he is most concerned about going into 2027, even noting their lack of quality forwards.
The Saints were the most active team in last year’s trade period, spending big money and draft capital to acquire the likes of Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan.
However, one year on, they were far less active. St Kilda traded star ruckman Rowan Marshall to Geelong for pick No.14 and acquired fringe Brisbane midfielder Sam Marshall for a future first-rounder.
After finishing 11th in 2026, Lloyd felt the Saints hadn’t done enough to improve their list, but says they are under enormous pressure to start climbing the ladder and impacting finals.
It will be coach Ross Lyon’s fifth year at the helm since re-joining the club. They have not played finals since his first season back in 2023.
When asked which AFL team finds itself in no-man's-land following the trade period, Lloyd was comfortable throwing St Kilda into that box.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon. via Getty Images
"I don't know what they're going to do," Lloyd told 3AW.
"The last thing Ross Lyon needs is another year of finishing 12th.
"They must win a final next year, but I don't know if they will.
"Their forward line, they didn't improve it. They're reliant on Max King who just can't get out there.
“Their best and fairest was won by Cal Wilkie again and Jack Silvagni was second. I’m not sure their midfield has enough growth.
"They're the side that concerns me most."
St Kilda will also need to once again re-sign star midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera in 2027, with his two-year, $4m contract running out at the end of the season.
Breakout forward Max Hall will also need a sizeable pay rise, given he also comes out of contract and will be firmly on Tasmania’s radar.
They will be hoping King’s body finally holds up for a season, after the key forward managed just one game in 2026 and 24 total since 2022.
Stringer’s ability to hit the scoreboard will ease some of that pressure.
