AFL trade news 2023: Bailey Smith trains at local ground despite missing crucial Cats match

With Bailey Smith’s future still in the headlines, the Dogs star was spotted on the weekend training despite being ruled out for the Dogs’ must-win game against Geelong.

Bailey Smith trained at Prahran Football Club at the weekend while his Western Bulldog teammates travelled to GMHBA Stadium for Saturday night’s must-win clash against Geelong.

Smith, who had his exit meeting at Whitten Oval on Tuesday, was spotted running laps at his local suburban ground despite being ruled out of the round 24 clash through illness.

Smith, 22, returned to the Victorian Amateur Football Association club again on Monday night, where he took part in senior training drills.

“Last night (Monday night) he was just running laps and keeping fit and then asked if he could just join in,” Prahran president Fabio Maya said on Tuesday.

“Originally they were doing some handball drills and he said, ‘Can I just do some of them?’ And then he said, ‘Can I have a quick kick?’

“It wasn’t long – he didn’t train the whole night. He’s definitely not playing for us!

“But he lives around the area, so he’s often there jogging laps and things like that.

“He was down there on the weekend running laps. He often comes down and has a run around. He’s helped the juniors out at East Malvern a few times throughout the year.”

Bailey Smith trains with Prahran.

Bailey Smith posts on Instagram as he trains at Prahran.

Smith posted an Instagram story on Monday evening of his footy boots with a couple of Sherrins and training cones as the sunset over the Prahran ground.

The fitness freak is known for his love of training and was seen running laps of Marvel Stadium after playing a full AFL match earlier this year.

Talk of Smith’s clouded future at the Bulldogs has swirled for several months.

Smith is contracted for 2024 and the Bulldogs are emphatic he will remain at the club next season.

But if a trade request is lodged then it is expected Geelong would be the frontrunner to secure his services.

The Cats’ loss to the Dogs on Saturday night saw them tumble to 12th on the ladder.

That has them armed with the No. 7 draft pick, although that is likely to drift back after possible compensation picks and bids on academy stars are activated.

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd questioned how Smith was ruled out with illness so early last week.

But Dogs coach Luke Beveridge said that Smith was far too sick to be considered.

“(Bailey’s) just crook unfortunately … it’s a gastro type thing and he’s been ill,” Beveridge said.

“We couldn’t consider him – he didn’t train yesterday because he was too ill.”

Dogs leave exit meetings with ‘no doubt’ about Bailey’s future

– Josh Barnes

Western Bulldogs teammates expect to play alongside Bailey Smith next year as the midfielder joined the rest of the list in exit interviews on Tuesday.

The Dogs powered through a marathon day of player interviews, beginning at 7.30am, as the players and coaches had their say on each other.

Smith, although contracted next year, has been speculated to seek a trade and push for more midfield minutes elsewhere, but those at Whitten Oval backed him to remain as a Dog.

Experienced midfielder Adam Treloar said he hadn’t had complete confirmation from Smith that he would stay with the club but had no indication the ballwinner would seek a trade to potential suitors Geelong or Hawthorn.

Bailey Smith is deep in trade talk. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“We haven’t heard anything but we have full faith and trust that this is where (Smith) wants to be and I know that he does because he loves the guys,” Treloar said.

“We are all extremely close and he is part of that group and we love him and his strengths that he brings as a person and a player helps compliment all of us.

“I know that he loves playing for our footy club, that will play out but I have no doubt he will be in the red, white and blue for years to come.”

Treloar himself has routinely been spoken about as potentially wanting a move to Queensland given his partner Kim Ravaillion plays with Super Netball team Queensland Firebirds.

But the former Magpie and Giant said he had no interest in a move.

Adam Treloar has no interest in a trade. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“This is the place I want to be, the place I want to finish at,” he said.

“I want to drive the club forward and to have success … I have no plans on going and I want to finish my career here.”

Treloar also launched an impassioned defence of under siege coach Luke Beveridge.

Beveridge has come under fire after his Dogs finished the season in ninth, the first time Beveridge’s Dogs have missed the finals since 2018.

The club has backed in the coach and looks set for a major restructure of the coaching panel after assistants in club great Rohan Smith and Marc Webb were let go.

“I love playing for him and I genuinely believe he has a passion and a want to get the best out of all of his players and he has done that for me,” Treloar said of Beveridge.

“I love playing under him and all the players do. I can’t wait for that noise to dwindle out and not have to worry about that because it does take a toll on a lot of people.”

Originally published as AFL trade news 2023: Bailey Smith trains at local ground despite missing crucial Cats match