Rating the 2024 Trade Period (after 7.30 Wednesday)

[bulldogsthru&thru]

If Smith played to previous form (or even improved), he probably would've have been the difference between finishing 6th and top 4 and then given us a much better chance to fight out for the flag... and he would've had much more currency if he wanted to still leave.

But he did his ACL in the pre-season and the rest is history.

Can't help dumb luck.

Even if he played and had an awesome year I still think the cats would have played the same hand.

[angelopetraglia]

Even if he played and had an awesome year I still think the cats would have played the same hand.

Agree. The deal was struck a long time ago.

[angelopetraglia]

Why didn?t the Cats strike last preseason? Because we had leverage and the price would have been much higher if he was contracted. Wait until his contract is finished and then get him to nominate. Get a quality player for cheap as chips.

The system is wrong. You should only be able to nominate a club when you are a free agent.

[jeemak]

If Smith played to previous form (or even improved), he probably would've have been the difference between finishing 6th and top 4 and then given us a much better chance to fight out for the flag... and he would've had much more currency if he wanted to still leave.

But he did his ACL in the pre-season and the rest is history.

Can't help dumb luck.

People forget how good Smith could be. Can't say for sure he'd not have been all over the shop this year, can't say for sure he won't be for the rest of his career. But his 2021 (especially finals) and early to mid 2022 were rolled gold elite. All in his apparently non-preferred role.

Anything close to that this year would have put so much more quality in the places we lack versus a Brisbane. But as you say, can't help dumb luck.

He'll enjoy his time inside until he gets found out and put back into his allegedly non-preferred role.

[GVGjr]

While we landed Kennedy how do we interpret that we were being linked to players like Barrass, Houston and Peatling but they preferred other clubs?
Is it our lower profile, the fact that we don't draw marquee games or have a huge supporter base or could it be Bevo's undeserved media reputation of being a coach that throws the magnets around?

[GVGjr]

People forget how good Smith could be. Can't say for sure he'd not have been all over the shop this year, can't say for sure he won't be for the rest of his career. But his 2021 (especially finals) and early to mid 2022 were rolled gold elite. All in his apparently non-preferred role.

Anything close to that this year would have put so much more quality in the places we lack versus a Brisbane. But as you say, can't help dumb luck.

He'll enjoy his time inside until he gets found out and put back into his allegedly non-preferred role.

Smith's debut season was as good as anyone could have expected. He was/is highly talented and athletically blessed.
He's still got some work to do with his foot skills but if his focus improves his best football might still be in front of him.

[hujsh]

While we landed Kennedy how do we interpret that we were being linked to players like Barrass, Houston and Peatling but they preferred other clubs?
Is it our lower profile, the fact that we don't draw marquee games or have a huge supporter base or could it be Bevo's undeserved media reputation of being a coach that throws the magnets around?

Peatling seems it was money. Cant say for the others

[Mantis]

Even if he played and had an awesome year I still think the cats would have played the same hand.

Perhaps, but the media narrative that a late 1st rd pick was a fair deal probably would've bene different if Smith was coming off a really good year rather than an ACL.

Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference as you say... we will never know.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Perhaps, but the media narrative that a late 1st rd pick was a fair deal probably would've bene different if Smith was coming off a really good year rather than an ACL.

Maybe it wouldn't have made a difference as you say... we will never know.

Yeah the media narrative would have been very interesting. They'd still have been itching to take Geelongs side but I'm not sure how they could possibly have spun it other than we had little leverage.

[bulldogtragic]

If Smith had a blinding 2024 with us then I’m backing other clubs would’ve thrown outrageous offers around too. With several Vic clubs with top 10 picks and huge salary cap, even North, it could’ve been more of a contest to get him.

His ACL when he did it, immediately hurt his value. That’s sport I guess.

[Sedat]

Had to laugh a little at this bit - there was lots of criticism of Cats/Saints/North for not paying up and meeting our demands for the players that they targeted. But when we don't pay up it's good negotiating haha.

No criticism from me - that's all part of the negotiation process. Ultimately these clubs all parted with more than they initially were willing to negotiate (even Geelong with a pick downgrade). We didn't in the case of XOH.

[bulldogtragic]

No criticism from me - that's all part of the negotiation process. Ultimately these clubs all parted with more than they initially were willing to negotiate (even Geelong with a pick downgrade). We didn't in the case of XOH.

Will be interesting if our offer was the reported 3 years whether GWS offer him 3 next year on the coin we were offering. If they don’t it could well be we chase him again, with a much lower pick to be offered. So they may need to make that offer or risk losing him. If they were prepared to trade him it’s hard to see them extending him like that, but they might. That we made a final minutes move to get him to me makes me think our interest will be there next year if GWS don’t give him what we would.

[azabob]

People forget how good Smith could be. Can't say for sure he'd not have been all over the shop this year, can't say for sure he won't be for the rest of his career. But his 2021 (especially finals) and early to mid 2022 were rolled gold elite. All in his apparently non-preferred role.

Anything close to that this year would have put so much more quality in the places we lack versus a Brisbane. But as you say, can't help dumb luck.

He'll enjoy his time inside until he gets found out and put back into his allegedly non-preferred role.

Ironically it all unraveled and went downhill when he head butted Zach Tuoghy and then the photo came out.

[Topdog]

It's a really hard one to judge.
We have lost 3 of our top 25 players and probably brought 1 back in with Kennedy.
So 2 players out that likely play 15 games each this upcoming season and no picks in the top 20.
I get that our hand was severely tied but it's not a great outcome.

[jeemak]

Ironically it all unraveled and went downhill when he head butted Zach Tuoghy and then the photo came out.

But for some reason looked very buddy buddy at the end of the game when they chummed it up.

Not saying that has anything to do with things, but I also remember a moment at Geelong where Tom Stewart really gave it to Smith over his shitty mud flaps.

Perhaps the guy has a bully envy complex on top of all of his other shit.