Wildcard emerges in race for wantaway Bulldogs ace

Collingwood is suddenly a “huge outsider” in the squabble for Bailey Smith with the Bulldogs star linked to a third club.

Bailey Smith of the Doggies.

Bailey Smith is one of the hottest names in this year’s player movement sphere, having attracted well-known interest from Victorian powerhouses Collingwood and Geelong.

However, Hawthorn might be the wildcard trade candidate for the off-contract midfielder.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane shared his latest intel on the Smith sweepstakes.

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“Industry sources will tell you that Geelong has a desire to add that pacy, mature-aged midfielder, and the Surf Coast has got a bit of appeal,” McFarlane began on Tuesday night.

“Collingwood’s long been linked to (Smith), we’ve spoken about it here. Their 2024 draft hand is going to be the biggest concern — that’s why the situation there is drying up a little bit. They’re going to have to give up a future (draft pick).

Bailey Smith of the Doggies.

“I think it’s less likely to be Collingwood now than it is Geelong.

“I wouldn’t rule out Hawthorn in that sense. Hawthorn can get a deal done. Can Collingwood get a deal done? That’s the question mark.”

Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph added: “You can’t discount Collingwood in any way, because he might say ‘I need to play with Nick and Josh Daicos’, but I think they (Collingwood) are huge outsiders (to land Smith) right now.”

Fellow Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark chimed in: “I don’t think you can discount Hawthorn at this stage, either — I think there’s a close link there ... He’s definitely gone (from the Bulldogs).”

Smith hasn’t played any football this year as he continues in his rehabilitation from a pre-season ACL rupture.

Originally published as Wildcard emerges in race for wantaway Bulldogs ace