17 hours ago
GWS star recruit embraces 'interesting' super-sub role
GWS star recruit Jake Stringer has breathed new life into his first season with the Giants thanks to an unlikely role, as a super substitute.
The 31-year-old had struggled to find form at his third AFL club after spending the pre-season recovering from illness, only to injure his hamstring twice in three months.
But in a memorable pre-bye return against Gold Coast, after six weeks on the sidelines, Stringer kicked the match-winning goal to set up GWS's seven-point victory.
Stringer entered the fray far earlier than expected at Engie Stadium, having been subbed on in the second quarter after teammate Lachie Whitfield sustained a concussion.
But the star forward, who has tallied 377 goals from 220 AFL games, never lost confidence in his body's ability to hold up.
JAKE STRINGER 🤯#AFLGiantsSuns
— AFL (@AFL) June 22, 2025
"The plan was obviously to be the sub, pretty much from the start," he told AAP.
"But I'd done a power of work over the last five weeks, so I knew if I was going to be called on early I was ready to go.
"I definitely felt good out there, and felt like I had my speed and power. I was lucky enough to hit the scoreboard late, and get a good win."
The 2016 premiership player slotted two crucial goals in the final quarter as GWS snatched the win, having trailed by 29 points earlier in the game.
"It was my first goal here (at Engine Stadium) in the Giants' colours. I knew there was someone coming so I knew I had to kick it hard," he said.
"As soon as it come off the boot, I knew it wasn't missing.
"It was good to get one late finally and back it up a couple minutes later."
Stringer notably booted three goals, his best effort as a Giant, while serving as the sub in a round-eight SCG derby loss.
"It's an interesting role, but I seem to find a good balance in being able to do it," Stringer said.
"But it's like anything, I just try and make my moments matter when I have the ball, or when the ball's in my vicinity."
It has been a stop-start season for the Giants but victories over the Suns and Brisbane Lions provided a major morale and momentum boost ahead of their round-16 bye.
"It's massive to be able to get a win going into the bye," Stringer said.
"We really wanted to finish the last two games off really well and we've done that ... we'll get ready for a charger back-half of the season."
