Clubs rush to secure gun Giant Devon Smith and Pie Taylor Adams could sway his decision

GIANT Devon Smith is a wanted man, with up to five Victorian clubs queuing up for his services. But could one of his close mates help sway him home to a powerhouse Victorian club?

Don’t look now Devon, but you’re a wanted man. Pic: Michael Klein

DEVON Smith is weighing up offers from as many as five clubs to return home to Victoria in next month’s trade period.

The in-demand goal kicker was overlooked for a finals berth and looks set to split from Greater Western Sydney after his exit meeting this week.

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Collingwood, Carlton and Geelong are the frontrunners to land the gun forward-midfielder, although North Melbourne and St Kilda have also come late after missing out on brilliant midfielders Dustin Martin and Josh Kelly.

While Carlton has significant salary cap room and a major midfield role in mind for the clever ball winner, his friendship with Magpies’ vice-captain Taylor Adams could yet help sway the former Geelong Falcon to join Collingwood.

Devon Smith is out of contract and could head home to Victoria. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Smith, 24, would be part of a solution for Collingwood’s forward line problems after ranking bottom four for overall pressure and ground ball gets for a large part of the season.

GWS will likely push for a pick inside the top-20 for Smith based on his elite speed, goal nous and pressure skills as he enters the prime part of his career.

The man who finished equal-second in the Giants’ best and fairest in 2014 also has his sights set on playing an expanded midfield role where he dominated in the TAC Cup.

There has been significant interest in Smith all year and the decision to leave the 176cm jet out of the Giants’ three finals games looks set to crystallise a belief he should seek a fresh start closer to family in Lara, Victoria.

Giants’ football manager Wayne Campbell said the club was trying to extend Smith’s contract.

“We have had a contract in front of Devon for two or three months,” Campbell said on SEN.

“We would like Devon to stay, for sure.”

As many as five Victorian clubs are interested in Devon Smith. Picture: Michael Klein

The Cats have also had long-held interest in Smith since his draft year but their ability to secure him is complicated by their efforts to nab exiled Western Bulldog Jake Stringer and Gold Coast champion and father son favourite Gary Ablett.

Pick No. 20 has been earmarked for Stringer.

If livewires Steve Motlop or Daniel Menzel left the club as free agents, the Cats could use the second-round compensation draft picks to trade to Greater Western Sydney for Smith.

The tough ball-winner was considered one of the competition’s most promising young small forwards when he booted 26 goals 15 behinds in a breakout 2014 campaign.

But the No. 14 pick in 2011 has been hit by knee injuries in recent years and was disappointed to lose his spot in the Giants forward line after their Round 23 loss to the Cats this year.

He has averaged 20 possessions and one goal a game across his 109-match career.

The Giants face a fight to keep all of their talented youngsters in a tight salary cap and accommodate a significant pay rise for star Toby Greene when his deal expires next season.