Former Saints coach slams ‘baffling’ signing of controversial star
Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas has lashed the club’s signing of Jake Stringer ahead of the 2027 season.
The 32-year-old forward parted ways with GWS to return to Victoria following the 2026 season, but struggled to find a suitor across the trade period.
Jake Stringer at GWS. Getty
Stringer kicked 48 goals for the Giants in 2026, including a bag of seven against Fremantle, six against Adelaide and five against both Hawthorn and Brisbane.
However, he has been questioned from a cultural standpoint for multiple years now. A failed fish oil supplements business venture fractured his relationship with GWS teammates, while Essendon previously grew frustrated with the friends he was bringing into their locker room after games.
The Bombers reportedly met with Stringer during the trade period, but opted against signing him. St Kilda then emerged out of nowhere, confirming they were adding him as a delisted free agent on Monday.
Thomas, who coached St Kilda between 2001 and 2006, actually believes Stringer and the Saints match each other nicely … but not for good reasons.
"Look, it's a baffling or even provoking decision. You never know what you're going to get with Jake. I don't know why we're doing this. It doesn't seem to be a premiership decision to me," Thomas told 3AW.
"I can't imagine Jake standing on the dais with a premiership medallion for St Kilda, but it says more about the Saints than Jake. Good luck to Jake, he's able to fund his future, but it says more about the Saints.
"Jake's unpredictable, so are St Kilda. Jake's unreliable, so are St Kilda. To be frank, he's either shit-hot or shit-house, and so are the Saints.
"He's not a pro's pro … I suppose the other thing I see is he seems to sulk and apportion blame and St Kilda has been given that label as well."
The Saints are clearly pulling every lever they can to improve out of mediocrity and play finals in 2027, with Stringer capable of providing a goal kicking weapon for them inside 50.
Thomas, however, feels the move will hurt the team long-term, even if there’s a sugar hit in 2027.
“I’m really concerned about our ability to develop players as opposed to plugging holes with players who do OK, but are taking development time away from young players,” he said.
"Is it desperation or is it survival? We seem to be making survival decisions to self-perpetuate careers. I don't know what we stand for."
Former St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt isn’t a fan of the move either, saying it reeks of desperation.
“He kicked 48 goals last year, and the Saints need goal kickers, so that is why they’re going down this path,” Riewoldt told Triple M.
“They haven’t given up on Max King, but he’s played a quarter in two years.
“But it speaks to the desperation in front of the ball.
“Their biggest issue was that they couldn’t capitalise on momentum and opportunity. They didn’t have match winners in front of the ball.
“Why would the Giants be letting go of a 48-goal forward when they were already losing Jesse Hogan? Why is not playing at GWS?
“As a supporter, this is hold-your-breath stuff. No he’s not (a good culture fit).
“Everyone keeps talking about the pressure that’s going to be on at Moorabbin next year. I buy into that, it’s real, it’s going to be on.
“Hopefully he goes down there and kicks another 48 goals. You’ve got no idea how this is going to go. It’s his fourth club for a reason.
“Really talented player, no one disputes that, hopefully it pays off for the Saints.”
St Kilda coach Grant Thomas in 2005. Getty
St Kilda's leading goal kicker in 2026 was small forward Liam Ryan with 33, followed by Jack Higgins and Mitch Owens on 29, and then Max Hall and Cooper Sharman on 26.
Without Max King, who has played 24 games since 2022 with ongoing knee issues, they have lacked a proven match-winner inside 50.
St Kilda GM of Football Lenny Hayes said they hope Stringer can give them that additional scoring potential.
“Jake has a proven ability to hit the scoreboard and we believe he can add another dimension to our forward line,” Hayes told the club’s website.
“Jake's experience and goal kicking ability will complement the talent we already have while giving us greater flexibility and depth in attack.”
They will be hoping to get a full season out of King and Stringer in 2027 to change that.
