Bailey Smith says he’s focused on injury rehab, not his future, amid trade speculation and links to Geelong

Bailey Smith has spoken publicly for the first time on his football future as speculation ramps up he will ask Western Bulldogs to be traded at season’s end.

Injured Bulldogs star Bailey Smith claims he hasn’t considered his future at the club amid rampant speculation he will ask to be traded.

Speaking publicly for the first time about his plans beyond this year, Smith said he would not risk his health by trying to return to be part of a possible finals campaign.

The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with Geelong after Collingwood and Hawthorn were earlier touted as possible suitors.

Smith tore his ACL in mid-December last year, all but ending his hopes of playing this season and sparking rumours he had played his last game for the Bulldogs.

Bailey Smith has been linked with a trade to Geelong. Picture: Michael Klein.

“I haven’t paid any attention to anything other than my health at the minute and then supporting the boys – just focusing on the short-term, (the) here and now, which is GWS on Sunday and hopefully we get up,” Smith said.

“I don’t know when those (trade) conversations happen or if they do happen.”

The midfielder met Bulldogs fans in Ballarat on Friday, alongside the club’s AFLW star and former captain Ellie Blackburn, in an event organised by Telstra.

Hundreds of supporters lined up in club gear to greet the pair, with the line stretching outside the shopping centre doors.

Following his knee injury, Smith said he was“feeling really good” and “fully fit” and that he had started contact exercises as part of his rehab.

He said he had decided in conjuction with the Bulldogs that he would focus on his recovery rather than risk possible injury by returning this season.

Smith has not played this year due to a knee injury. Picture: Michael Klein.

“There were (discussions about playing again in 2024) early days, but then it’s more the risk versus reward of chasing a couple of games versus playing for another 10, 12 years,” he said.

“Initially I was really chasing to come back, but it’s just not worth the risk.”

Smith also spent time in Europe earlier in the year, which he said was “awesome, just mentally more than physically”.

“I still trained every day over there,” he said.

Last week, Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge conceded that his confidence Smith would stay at the club had started to “wane” as he was yet to indicate he would sign a new contract.

But he added he wasn’t “resigned” to Smith’s future being elsewhere.

WHAT a goal and what a moment from Bailey Smith 👏👏👏

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— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) September 4, 2021

“There are always things you can do. I mean, there’s the negotiation around contracts. It’s obviously the byplay between managers, and that happens behind the scenes,” he said.

“And I’ve got a great relationship with Bailey, so that’s not a concern of mine that I need to somehow fix something that isn’t an issue.

“But there are some levers that you can grab onto and drag it down. The intentions and what the possibilities might be for the individual, they could never be black and white for the club that they play at, because it’s too much conversation that we’re not privy to.”

Smith, a first-round draft pick in 2018, grew up barracking for Hawthorn and has collaborated with Cotton On, which is a patron of the Cats.

Both Hawthorn and Geelong have the salary cap room to fit Smith in.

The Bulldogs will play GWS in Ballarat on Sunday.

Originally published as Bailey Smith says he’s focused on injury rehab, not his future, amid trade speculation and links to Geelong