AFL veteran goalkicker Jake Stringer is “grateful” to continue his career at St Kilda, but a club great has already sounded the alarm bells over the “desperate” move.
Stringer will officially join the Saints on a one-year deal when the delisted free agency period opens on November 2.
It ends an uncertain period for the 32-year-old who was delisted by the Giants despite kicking 48 goals this year.
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“Just grateful to be here,” Stringer told 7NEWS.
When asked what he will bring to the Saints, Stringer said with a laugh, “hopefully goals.”
Stringer was let go after two seasons at the Giants with the club not offering him a new deal despite winning the goalkicking and the departures of high-profile forwards Jesse Hogan and Toby Greene.
There were reports a failed business venture with some Giants players contributed to Stringer’s departure, but the players have all been paid back.
St Kilda hailed the move as giving the forward line a new avenue to goal, but club great Nick Riewoldt isn’t so sure.
“He kicked 48 goals last year, and the Saints need goal kickers, so that is why they’re going down this path,” Riewoldt said on 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.”
Riewoldt also said the 32-year-old won’t be a good cultural fit.
“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?” He continued.
“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, fourth club for a reason.
“Really talented player, no one disputes that, hopefully it pays off for the Saints.”
St Kilda confirmed the move earlier on Monday.
“Jake has a proven ability to hit the scoreboard and we believe he can add another dimension to our forward line,” St Kilda footy boss Lenny Hayes said.
“Jake’s experience and goal kicking ability will complement the talent we already have while giving us greater flexibility and depth in attack.”
Stringer will join the rare four-club player, after stints with the Western Bulldogs, Essendon and GWS.
He was originally drafted to the Bulldogs with pick No.5 in 2012 and played 89 games in five years at the Kennel, including the 2016 premiership, before a move 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.
He arguably had his best season in that year, too, booting 42 goals, but headed to the Giants on a two-year deal.
