Kane Cornes has urged Essendon not to give Jake Stringer a four-year deal, saying they should instead looking at trading the forward for the “best possible deal”.
Stringer is currently out of contract at the end of this year, having kicked 24 goals from 11 matches in 2021.
According to Fox Footy, the club has offered him a three-year deal with added incentives, while Stringer and his management are pushing for a four-year contract extension.
Cornes implored the Bombers not to shift from their position on any new deal, saying it wouldn’t necessarily be bad news if he departs the club.
“There’s reports that Essendon has offered him three years with significant carrots and he’s said no tto that and wants more years," he said on SEN Mornings.
“I think that’s an excellent offer from Essendon, I wouldn’t be budging on any of that and if Jake Stinger doesn’t want three years with his fitness, injury and form issues at the Bombers…take it or leave it would be my advice.
“We saw what happened last year, we thought the walls were caving in when (Adam) Saad, (Orazio) Fantasia and (Joe) Daniher left, but it’s not that bad if a player like Jake Stringer does decide to leave.
“Of course you want to keep him on the best possible terms, if not (you say) ‘thanks but no thanks’ and go to the trade to get the best possible deal as best you can.
“Someone will give you something significant for Jake Stringer.”
The 28-year-old had arguably his best game for the club earlier this year, kicking four goals and finding the ball on 29 occasions in Essendon’s win over Hawthorn.
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