Jake Stringer has finally made a decision on his preferred club, after a tour of the area’s premier educational institution left no doubt in the wantaway Bulldog’s mind as to where he wants to play out the rest of his career.

“I’ve always loved Essendon as a suburb, and as a father with two young ones this decision is as much about their futures as it is about mine,” said the 23-year-old All Australian. “The staff here at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar were kind enough to show me through the VCE faculty on a school day, and I let’s just say I was very pleased with what I saw.”

Stringer, also known as The Package, has been on the outer at the Bulldogs following a unanimous player vote to downgrade his nickname to “The Parcel,” which created a rift between him and the group. Geelong had also been keen to secure his services, but after a survey of the schools along the Surf Coast the premiership forward decided to stay closer to home.