AFL trade news: Hawthorn express interest in Bailey Smith, Darcy Parish set to commit to Essendon

Darcy Parish is set to turn his back on rival interest and commit to the Bombers. Here’s what he had to say after his exit meeting.

Darcy Parish and Bailey Smith

Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish says a new deal for him to remain at the Bombers should be done “pretty soon”, reaffirming his commitment to the club after his exit meeting on Monday.

A restricted free agent, Parish has had a generous new five-year deal put on the table from Essendon but is believed to be seeking a six-year extension.

The 26-year-old has attracted interest from rivals including Geelong, but has continually indicated that he wants to stay at Essendon.

Speaking on Monday, Parish said talks had ramped up between his manager Scott Lucas and the club and he was hopeful a new deal would be imminent.

“My manager and the club have had some great discussions, especially the last few days after the season has been done and dusted,” Parish said.

“So, we’re in a great position and hopefully it’s all over and done with pretty soon.”

Darcy Parish looks set to sign with the Bombers. Photo by Michael Klein.

Parish said the Bombers’ poor finish to the season had not dented his belief in the club and its leadership, with Essendon falling out of the finals race after sitting fifth on the ladder following round 17.

“I’ve been committed to this club as soon as I walked in the door and I’m still committed to this day,” Parish told Channel 9.

“I’ve got a great relationship now with Scotty and the coaches and my teammates. It’s a little hiccup in the road. Obviously it’s not the way we wanted to end the year, especially when we put ourselves in a great position to hopefully play finals. But that’s not the case. We’ve still got plenty of work to do.”

Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd on Sunday urged his former club to be “ruthless” with its approach to its playing list, after a finish to the year which provided a “great reality check”.

NEW SMITH CONTENDER EMERGES

The Western Bulldogs will hold the line on retaining contracted forward Bailey Smith next year with the talented midfielder aware the club has no intention of trading him.

Smith is keen to play more midfield time and would be open to a trade if one could be brokered despite playing 103 games in five rollercoaster seasons with the Western Bulldogs.

On Monday reports emerged Hawthorn would be a potential suitor, while Geelong has interest in securing him to bolster their midfield.

But the Dogs position is clear — under no circumstances would they trade Smith even if he made clear he was keen for a fresh start.

The Dogs have no interest in trading Smith. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Dogs believe he is part of their long-term future, is in a position they are keen to bolster in coming years and has rarely or ever fallen out of selection favour.

While it is no secret Smith would like to play more minutes as a pure midfielder or even centre-square mid, he has often been played at half forward this year.

But the Dogs believe it is the same position where he displayed such slashing form in the 2021 finals series, with the Dogs pushing a high half forward like Smith up to the stoppages to play as an extra midfielder.

Smith is also aware he will need to have the pre-season of his life to force his way into the midfield while also focusing on his defensive run and kicking.

Western Bulldogs list boss Sam Power has skilfully built the club’s list but with a reputation of standing his ground in negotiations with player managers.

He would not relent on trading Josh Dunkley three seasons ago unless the club secured two first-round picks from Essendon, with the deal eventually falling over.

Dunkley eventually departed last year for a suite of picks from Brisbane.

Smith had a disappointing season in a tough year for the Dogs. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

But if Smith does eventually want to leave Whitten Oval at the end of next year, doing so as an uncontracted player would give him a range of options not available as a contracted player.

With the trade period five weeks away the Dogs are keen to shut down speculation about Smith’s status instead of allowing it to simmer.

Smith has his exit interview on Tuesday at Whitten Oval with coach Luke Beveridge as the club digests a 12-11 season that saw them miss the finals.

The Dogs will start the draft order with two first-round picks — their own and the Brisbane Lions selection.

They would love to trade those selections for an early pick to take a young midfielder in another indication of their desire to bolster their midfield.

Athletic father-son forward Jordan Croft could secure a bid in the mid-teens given his talents, so the Dogs would ideally prefer to take a selection before they match that selection with points from later selections.

Originally published as AFL trade news: Hawthorn express interest in Bailey Smith, Darcy Parish set to commit to Essendon