Tricky now for Stringer

JAKE Stringer could remain a Western Bulldogs player after his manager yesterday conceded a trade to Essendon was “tricky’’.

The Bombers yesterday used pick No.11 to help secure Devon Smith from GWS, a pick the Bulldogs demanded from Essendon for Stringer.

The Bombers hope their two second-round selections — No.24 and No.29 — will swing the trade, as well as secure Gold Coast’s Adam Saad, though the Bulldogs say those picks won’t make it happen.

The Bombers have baulked at using next year’s first-round selection, though they know that offer would get the deal done.

Stringer’s manager Paul Connors said: “We’re committed to Essendon and that’s what we’re going to do. But it’s tricky. But we’re confident it will be all done.”

Asked what happens if it can’t be agreed to, Connors said: “That’s something we’ll cross if it happens. But hopefully it doesn’t.’’

The odds of Stringer being at the Western Bulldogs shortened yesterday after the Smith deal was confirmed.

The Bulldogs and the Bombers met on Monday of trade week and talks since have been deadlocked. In what is shaping as a who-blinks-first scenario, the Bombers hope the Dogs will yield on the final day of trade.

The Dogs have maintained that if a deal does not satisfy them, they will keep 23-yearold Stringer.

On Monday they were adamant that if pick No.11 was sent to Gold Coast for Saad or the Giants for Smith, Stringer was likely to remain a Bulldog.

Stringer, who has been ill this past week, is flying to US on the weekend for a holiday.

Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said from the outset they wouldn’t deal Stringer cheaply.

“We’re not going to just say ‘Here you go, you can have Jake Stringer’,” Beveridge said.

The Bombers are all-in for the 2015 All-Australian and 2016 premiership star and they are waiting for the Bulldogs to buckle.