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The Package has arrived in Western Sydney. And he’s ready to make his mark.
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The GWS Giants will hope gun recruit Jake Stringer helps the club finally climb the mountain after several close finals misses ahead of a season in which they’re again primed to challenge for a first premiership.
Now at his third AFL club after stints at the Western Bulldogs and Essendon, Stringer, at his best, is one of the most powerful and explosive X-factors in the competition that can win games off his own boot.
He rounds out an already star-studded Giants forward line featuring the likes of reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan, skipper Toby Greene, Aaron Cadman and Brent Daniels. Even if he’s on the other side of 30 and doesn’t necessarily fit a need, you can see exactly why the Giants recruited him.
By Stringer’s own admission, the Giants don’t need that much more to go one or two steps further than they have in the past as he begins a new chapter of his career up north.
“The whole club has been very welcoming and I’m enjoying the pre-season. But I’m sick of it now and ready to play games,” Stringer told foxfooty.com.au.
“They were up big in both finals, so they don’t need much more. I just hope I can come in and play my role and help build on what they already have.”
A premiership player, All-Australian and multi-time leading goalkicker who’s accomplished so much in his career, Stringer has been a leading star for some high quality teams across his football journey.
When asked by foxfooty.com.au if this stacked Giants side is the most talented he’s played for, Stringer said: “I think this list I’m a part of now would be by far the most talented I’ve been a part of.”
Stringer has also ridden the football rollercoaster at times including being one of the most scrutinised players in the competition. That comes with the territory of being a high-profile AFL star.
The veteran is now relishing being out of the footy-obsessed Melbourne bubble that can at times be all consuming.
“Going from Melbourne clubs to a Sydney club, you’re definitely out of the fish bowl. You can certainly do a lot more things and go unrecognised. I’m enjoying that aspect of just being able to fly under the radar and do my own thing,” he added.
Stringer doesn’t have much left to achieve in his AFL career, even if some might think he has a point to prove at GWS after his much publicised Essendon exit.
But helping a Giants side — that’s gotten agonisingly close to silverware on multiple occasions without ever saluting — finally win a flag would be some sort of legacy piece for the forward.
It’s hard to recall a time when Stringer has looked in better physical condition, having clearly put a big focus on it over the summer.
Stringer’s teammates spoke glowingly about how hard he’s worked on the training track to earn immediate respect and make an instant impression in his first pre-season for Adam Kingsley’s team.
Toby Greene noted it was “great to have an older head” around to help nurture the Giants’ rising brigade as well as add another forward threat.
“I’ll be working with him super closely this year playing in the forward line together. Hopefully we can use his weapons to the best of our ability,” Greene told foxfooty.com.au.
“He’d probably say he’s as fit as he’s ever been in his career. And the boys love him as well, so he’s been a great addition.”
Another forward Stringer will be playing alongside is former No. 1 pick and 20-year old Aaron Cadman, who’s at the opposite end of his career and had already taken great learnings from the ex-Bomber and Bulldog.
So impressed has Cadman been with Stringer that the youngster believes we might not have seen the best of the 212-gamer yet.
Jake Stringer and Aaron Cadman during the GWS Giants match simulation training session on February 14, 2025. Photo by Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia“He fits in like he’s been here the last 10 years, he’s a great person to have around and his energy is infectious. He’s always making a joke and always has a smile on his face,” Cadman told foxfooty.com.au.
“I think he’s really ready to prove a point, he’s been working super hard. He’s probably one of the fittest he’s been in his career. As a 30-year old, he’s ready to make his mark and play his best footy.”
Meanwhile Jesse Hogan, who’s a great example of a player that’s flourished in a change of environment and city less footy centric, was also bullish about what Stringer could add to the team this season.
“He hasn’t missed a beat from the moment he came in. He was able to strip it back and not have that pressure of everything talking about him,” Hogan told foxfooty.com.au.
“He’s fitted in extremely well. It’s not easy moving to a new club at 30, everyone is quite settled and the older players have families, it can be hard to settle in.
“But he gets along with all the boys, he’s put his head down and adapted to our style and culture really quickly. He could play career-best footy, he could play even better than he’s been in the past, that’s how good I think he can be.
“It’s super exciting having someone as exciting as him in your forward line.”
STRENGTHS
Starpower at either end of the ground. The Giants clearly have one of the most talented lists in the competition with stars across the board – particularly at either end of the ground. The aforementioned forward group is arguably the most talented in the league and can punish the opposition in so many ways. This is helped by the team’s breakneck ball movement and exciting game style. And the Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley-led defence is just as potent in its own right and impenetrable at its best. There mightn’t be a better spine in the AFL.
WEAKNESSES
Holding their nerve on the big stage. The Giants don’t really want for anything, with the team’s straight-sets finals exit last year coming down to their inability to hold seemingly unassailable leads in big games. It’s all between the ears for the Giants in 2025. Digging deeper, Champion Data ranked GWS just 10th ‘without the footy’ going into their finals campaign, while they were ranked 17th in the competition for clearances. The latter is concerning given midfield bull Tom Green is set to miss a key chunk to start the season through injury, plus the quality of the Giants’ midfield does drop off after the likes of Green, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio and Finn Callaghan, who they’ll be hoping for a true breakout season from after the 21-year old re-signed with the club this week.
PREMIERSHIP CLOCK
(11pm). The Giants are right in the sweet spot. They have all the tools to again be in the thick of the September action — the list, the coach, the game plan, the belief and the culture. So will 2025 be the year it all finally comes together for this club that’s been a perennial contender and AFL expansion success story? For their sake, you hope they’ve learned from their past failures on the big stage.
PREDICTED LADDER RANGE
1st-4th
PREDICTED OPENING ROUND TEAM
B: H.Himmelberg, S.Taylor, C.Idun
HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash
C: T.Bedford, F.Callaghan, X.O’Halloran
HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, T.Greene
F: D.Jones, J.Hogan, J.Stringer
FOLL: K.Briggs, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly
I/C: C.Ward, J.Wehr, C.Stone, L.Aleer,J.Leake
EMG: C.Angove, L.Keeffe, P.Gothard
