Trade buzz: Why Bailey Smith might not end up at Collingwood as new suitor sits at the front of the queue
Bailey Smith looks likely to leave the Western Bulldogs. Collingwood wants Bailey Smith. However, there’s another suitor who might already have the star midfielder’s signature.
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Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith flies back into Melbourne this weekend after a brief European summer sojourn with Collingwood’s draft hand putting it behind the eight ball in securing him.
Industry sources still believe Geelong has the desire to add a pacy, mature-aged mid and the Surf Coast lifestyle that could attract a player who has spoken about dealing with the intense Melbourne football bubble.
Smith already has a strong connection with the Cotton On brand, which is why cheeky rivals say a move down Princes Highway is almost a done deal.
But any additional services agreement funding at Geelong would be heavily scrutinised by the AFL and would have to stack up from a commercial point of view.
The Magpies’ only selection in the first two rounds of this year’s draft is Hawthorn’s second rounder, which could end up drifting into the 40s.
They could give up a future first-rounder but the Pies are known to be keen on key talls including Victoria’s Whitlock twins in the draft.
Hawthorn remains in the mix and could satisfy the Bulldogs’ desire for a first-round pick, which is currently No. 6.
While the Bulldogs would prefer to keep the 23-year-old next year and beyond, their confidence levels have plummeted the longer the season has rolled on.
The Cats are considered the clubhouse leader, given their need for a midfielder refresh, though he is not the engine-room bull that coach Chris Scott has been craving.
The Dogs continue to chase West Coast intercept marker Tom Barrass, which the Herald Sun revealed in April, with their chase for another key back continuing.
Any first round selection they secure for Smith would be critical given they gave up their 2024 first-rounder to bring in Tasmanian first round pick Ryley Sanders last November
While Barrass knocked back offers from clubs such as Sydney last year, it is believed that he is open to considering what a fresh start would look like.
The Dogs have effectively begun planning for life after Smith, with Ed Richards moving into the midfield while others such as Harvey Gallagher have spent some time in there alongside the likes of Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore.
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