It didn't take long for Hawk-turned-Cat Isaac Smith to turn recruiter for Geelong, the triple premiership star urging Giant Jeremy Cameron to join him in the hoops. It worked, the Cats have lodged the paperwork, now it's up to the Giants to decide if they will match the offer. RECAP DAY ONE OF FREE AGENCY
Former Hawthorn speedster Isaac Smith says he lost sleep weighing up his decision to join Geelong but is excited about the prospect of delivering the ball to Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins next year.
The Herald Sun on Friday revealed Smith, 31, had accepted a two-year deal at Geelong over a three-year contract at Melbourne.
SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP EVERY MOMENT OF DAY 1 OF AFL FREE AGENCY IN THE BLOG BELOW
Hawthorn will receive a third-round pick as free agency compensation for Smith’s departure.
It was the first big signature for the Cats as they look to trade-in North Melbourne classy playmaker Shaun Higgins and free agent Cameron in a massive boost to their premiership tilt for next year.
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Smith said it was hard leaving the Hawks where he won three premierships, but was ultimately ready for a fresh on-field challenge and new club setting.
The star wingman said his family was also ready to get back its “country roots” in Geelong.
“It has been a very difficult decision, incredibly hard and I’ve probably had a few sleepless nights over the last three or four nights to be honest,” Smith said.
“The heart was certainly leaning towards Hawthorn but in the end the head won and I’m up for a new challenge and a new journey and I’m very excited to be part of the Geelong Football Club.
“I look forward to challenging myself and contributing to a great organisation and hopefully, some success to come.”
Smith said he had been “blessed” to spend 10 years at the Hawks and confirmed that he only made the final decision with his wife on Thursday night.
WATCH: TRADE TV WITH ROBBO AND AL IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
The gun linebreaker also joked that he should be in Geelong fans’ good books after missing late game-winning shots in the 2016 qualifying final and in a regular season game the following year.
“I’ve already won them two games of footy so hopefully the fans are happy,” he said.
The Cats have lodged their free agency paperwork for Cameron in a bid to secure him for nothing. The GWS Giants are determined to match, forcing a trade.
Smith was adamant he had “plenty of petrol left” in his legs and said he was keen to join forces with Cameron in the forward half next year.
“He is obviously one of the best key forwards in the competition and there is a reason why they get paid big dollars because they’re important in the football team,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to play with two of the best who have ever played the game in ‘Roughy’ (Jarryd Roughead) and Lance Franklin.
“I’m moving down there hopefully to play with Jeremy and ‘Tomahawk’ (Tom Hawkins) is a great full forward as well, especially his record over the past few years.
“He is as good as they get.”
Smith could be only one of two left-footers in Geelong’s best side next year with veteran Harry Taylor the only left-footer in the Cats’ Grand Final side.
The jet midfielder said the two playing groups had shared an intense rivalry over the years but it was not a factor in his decision.
“We’ve had some massive games and to say I wasn’t a Geelong fan was probably a bit of an understatement,” he said.
“Certainly coming up against them, there was a real dislike between the playing groups and the clubs.
“But the other thing there was a lot of respect.”
Day one of free agency quickly went from go to whoa! when the Bombers got some juicy compo for Joe Daniher, GWS let Zac Williams and Aidan Corr go and is now left with a big call to make on Jeremy Cameron after the Cats put in their bid for the star forward.
Thanks for joining us and following along today, Here's a look at what went on:
Day one of free agency quickly went from go to whoa! when the Bombers got some juicy compo for Joe Daniher, GWS let Zac Williams and Aidan Corr go and is now left with a big call to make on Jeremy Cameron after the Cats put in their bid for the star forward.
Thanks for joining us and following along today, Here's a look at what went on:
He was a little worried about the Roos' direction, but that hasn't stopped Giants defender Aidan Corr moving to Arden St.
Corr follows Zac Williams out of the Giants, GWS electing not to match the Kangaroos offer.
The Giants will receive a second round draft pick as compensation, currently pick No.30.
Geelong has just lodged paperwork for wantaway Giants star Jeremy Cameron.
The Giants have three days to decide whether to match the Cats' offer.
More to come…
Zac Williams will line up in the navy blue in 2021 after the Giants elected not to match Carlton's offer for the electric linebreaker.
Williams played 113 games for the Giants, but follows a long line of highly-regarded picks out the door.
The Giants will receive a first-round compensation pick, which is currently pick No.10.
Zac Williams will line up in the navy blue in 2021 after the Giants elected not to match Carlton's offer for the electric linebreaker.
Williams played 113 games for the Giants, but follows a long line of highly-regarded picks out the door.
The Giants will receive a first-round compensation pick, which is currently pick No.10.
Geelong has just lodged paperwork for wantaway Giants star Jeremy Cameron.
The Giants have three days to decide whether to match the Cats' offer.
More to come…
North Melbourne has lodged paperwork with the AFL for restricted GWS free agent Aidan Corr.
Jon Ralph reports Corr had held some robust conversations about North Melbourne’s direction in the wake of the club’s post-season player exodus.
Corr indicated to North he wanted to come to Arden St in 2021 but the loss of up to 14 players including Shaun Higgins and Ben Brown came as a surprise to him.
North is also looking for a new coach after losing Rhyce Shaw to focus on personal matters.
It meant the Roos and Corr have held recent talks about the club’s pathway forward, but his assurance has been given and the club has lodged its paperwork.
-JAY CLARK
Joe Daniher is a Lion.
Essendon will receive pick No.7 as free agency compensation for Joe Daniher.
Brisbane lodged paperwork for the restricted free agent this afternoon.
The Lions offered a three-year deal for the star Bombers forward.
The Bombers have elected to not match the offer, paving the way for the Lions.
The Bombers now hold picks No.6 and No.7 and could possibly gain pick No.8 out of Carlton for wantaway defender Adam Saad.
-JAY CLARK
Joe Daniher is a Lion.
Essendon will receive pick No.7 as free agency compensation for Joe Daniher.
Brisbane lodged paperwork for the restricted free agent this afternoon.
The Lions offered a three-year deal for the star Bombers forward.
The Bombers have elected to not match the offer, paving the way for the Lions.
The Bombers now hold picks No.6 and No.7 and could possibly gain pick No.8 out of Carlton for wantaway defender Adam Saad.