AFL trade: Western Bulldogs want a top-10 pick for Bailey Smith as Jake Stringer ponders move north

The Western Bulldogs have refused Geelong’s offer of pick 17 for Bailey Smith. Now what they are really after can be revealed. Plus the latest on Jake Stringer’s move away from Essendon.

Bailey Smith. Picture: Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs want a pick inside the top 10 of November’s super draft from Geelong in exchange for Bailey Smith.

As Wednesday night’s AFL trade deadline draws closer, the Dogs are yet to budge on their demands which is out of reach for the Cats who have offered their first pick (currently No.17) for the out-of-contract midfield star.

The Cats are adamant their offer is reasonable for Smith, 23, who hasn’t played for 12 months because of a knee reconstruction and has made it clear he wants out from Whitten Oval.

Should the Dogs continue to hold firm, Smith’s management is confident he can get to the Cats through the national draft. That would leave the Bulldogs with nothing.

The Dogs want a top-10 pick for Bailey Smith. Picture: Getty Images

The only trade of a pick inside the top 10 for a player is likely to be Gold Coast handing over No.6 for Richmond’s best-and-fairest winner Daniel Rioli.

Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball famously went through the draft 15 years ago to get to the Magpies after St Kilda refused to do a deal.

Jake Stringer could be off to GWS. Picture: Getty Images

STRINGER WEIGHS UP MOVE

Jake Stringer is spending the weekend weighing up his family situation ahead of an expected move to Greater Western Sydney.

Both clubs are happy to make a deal but Stringer, who has two children from a previous relationship, is getting his head around how a move north would work with his family set-up.

Stringer triggered a clause with the Bombers for a $400,000 deal for 2025, but his desire to ink a longer deal ultimately saw him seek a move.

The Giants only want to use pick 53 to get the deal done although it has been suggested the Bombers were open to the idea of paying a portion of Stringer’s wage if they could secure a higher selection.

GWS currently hold picks 15, 16, 21, 37, 53 and 56.

Will Brodie will stay at Fremantle. Picture: Getty Images

FRINGE DOCKER TO STAY

Fremantle has backed in Will Brodie despite interest from a number of Victorian clubs.

Brodie has two years on a contract to run but was unable to break into the Dockers’ senior side this season.

The 26-year-old, who grew up in Shepparton, spent five seasons at the Gold Coast before he moved to Fremantle in 2022.

He was an instant success and played 24 games including the Dockers’ two finals appearances which helped him land a long-term contract.

But Brodie only played five games in 2023 and failed to break into the Dockers’ midfield this season despite promising WAFL form.

Several Victorian clubs were aware of his frustration but their approaches have gone nowhere with the Dockers assuring Brodie opportunities would open up in 2025.