Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

[D Mitchell]

He was outstanding in the 2021 semi and prelim finals. Outstanding. That goal in the final quarter against the lions was a beacon of hope in stage 4 lockdown. The clouds parted and he had a halo whilst he did his ice in the veins celebration. Side note - the feral lions fans in the crowd behind him made it so much sweeter.

Since about round 8 2022, or whenever he head butted Thouey, he has been abysmal. Agree - you don?t turn your back on young guns w form slump but to me he looks like he has zero heart and resilience. I think he has reached his ceiling - he was an intense teenager and when drafted i thought he?d lift w AFL training but quickly plateau.

I get the feeling he has so many interests in life that footy is a mid level priority - and for a guy in that form, with that potential I want to see more grit and fight to get back.

He played lacklustre, unmotivated football for 18 months with very little acknowledgement or increased intensity in training. In fact he came out and complained in the media he wasn?t getting the role he wanted on the field - whilst launching a vodka brand and being an ambassador for a fashion label.

He is a super successful young man and I wish him no ill, but I?ve had enough of him on our list. I don?t see us re signing him - more so, I don?t see him re signing with us.

A fair analysis. Anyone wanting to play midfield can't afford less than maximum intensity on the training track. He now has a year to work out his priorities.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I've gone back and forth on Smith but ultimately it is up to him.

If he is committed, and I mean genuinely committed to being a leader and the best player he can be at OUR footy club, it's a no brainer. Sign him.

My concern over the last 2 years is that footy, and the team, haven't been the priority. When he comes out and complains about his role last year, as much as I 'get it' - he wants to be a mid - it's just another sign he's in it for himself.

I hope he commits and re-signs and realises his potential, but anything short of that and I'm entertaining offers.

[MrMahatma]

Why do people suggest he isn't committed? I mean, sure he has outside interests but surely players can walk and chew gum at the same time? He won our time trial didn't he?

[GVGjr]

Why do people suggest he isn't committed? I mean, sure he has outside interests but surely players can walk and chew gum at the same time? He won our time trial didn't he?

I don't get that POV either. Sure he's got a couple of other interests but that can be a good thing as well.
I'd like to see him tidy up and improve his foot skills but I don't question his attitude to training and playing.
I still maintain that he was one of the most impressive first year players I have seen at the club and he's still got some great football in front of him.

[hujsh]

Why do people suggest he isn't committed? I mean, sure he has outside interests but surely players can walk and chew gum at the same time? He won our time trial didn't he?

3rd actually. He beat the other runners on the day he ran but there were another two from the previous week with better times. Bedendo won our time trial

[Sedat]

3rd actually. He beat the other runners on the day he ran but there were another two from the previous week with better times. Bedendo won our time trial

You sure it wasn't Ed Barlow?

[hujsh]

You sure it wasn't Ed Barlow?

Maybe that's who I'm forgetting who came second

[doggies ftw]

Yeah a young player saying he wants to play midfield isn?t complaining, I reckon 95% of young midfielders have made that quote once in their career before they permanently moved into the midfield. I?d be more concerned if he didn?t want to play midfield.

He also literally said in the same interview ?whatever?s thrown at me I?ll attack it as well I can, I just want to win?

Where?s the ?complaining? about his role?

[jeemak]

So where did he complain about not getting enough midfield time?

I remember him saying he needed to accept the role given to him, basically acknowledging it's up to him to do what is asked of him.

Is calling out that he himself needs and attitude adjustment a bad thing? It's not like he's the first player to get shitty in this area, and we could probably agree that we didn't rotate enough people through the midfield proper as it was.

[Sedat]

Maybe that's who I'm forgetting who came second

2nd place is just the first loser - not even Crossy could compete with the perfection of Cheesy.

[EasternWest]

Maybe that's who I'm forgetting who came second

Daniel Bandy

[Mofra]

Dangerfield on SEN hoping Bailey Smith goes to Geelong.
If Baz has to go anywhere, Geelong at least have a record of just getting their 'big' deals done (Ottens, Dangerfield, Cameron).

[GVGjr]

Dangerfield on SEN hoping Bailey Smith goes to Geelong.
If Baz has to go anywhere, Geelong at least have a record of just getting their 'big' deals done (Ottens, Dangerfield, Cameron).

That was probably more to do with the way Wells approached trades etc. Mackie hasn't exactly set a standard for being fair minded.
The Cats will need to be prepared to put up something reasonable though and I rate Powers ability to stand his ground

[Grantysghost]

Dangerfield on SEN hoping Bailey Smith goes to Geelong.
If Baz has to go anywhere, Geelong at least have a record of just getting their 'big' deals done (Ottens, Dangerfield, Cameron).

It kind of makes sense with the cotton on thing, however could he live down in that place? He seems like a guy who likes the bright lights.

I still can't see the attraction with Geelong. I mean there's a far better place called Melbourne close by!

[bornadog]

Sick of the Media discussion on Smith.