Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Has GG taken over your account?

Sometimes it's hard to know, there's a lot of voices in my head.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Honestly - I find it astounding that anyone would be keen to keep him.

He had an abysmal year last year, outside one or two rounds - awful. He lacks the ability to defend and had close to zero composure with football in hand and his disposal by foot is dreadful. Personally I thought he made the team worse when he played and went public with his frustration putting himself above the team.

I would have welcomed a trade for him last year.

I find it hilarious that the word ?hate? is being used. I don?t hate him, don?t know him. He has good attributes, and has shown glimpses of incredible footy over his short career. I just don?t think he fits with the bulldogs and we won?t see the best of him again.

I?m also sick of his contract in the news but granted it?s a slow footy news time.

So I?d love a good trade though agree his currency is lower now w the ACL.

I will concede that Bailey was below par in 2023, but if we trade out every player who goes backward for a year we won't have much left.

His effort in the finals in Brisbane and Adelaide in 2021 show he has what it takes.

Our challenge should be to harness his ability and use it for the betterment of the team.

With the ACL Bailey would be well advised to sign a reasonable contract for 2 years and concentrate on his rehab.

He then needs to get on the park and prove he has what it takes. He could then command a significant Free Agency contract.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I've never mentioned his off field interests. He can do whatever he likes. I don't care for your comment as directed at me. This can only be resolved by a nets session.

If his on field weakness was anything other than what I regard as a KPI for a guy that plays that position, then it'd be more easy to let go.

But I really want my gun midfielder to be able to hit up a forward. I don't see what's controversial about that.

I see it a little differently.

The forward needs to initiate a lead that allows the player upfield to put it to his advantage. One of the issues is that our forwards do not lead enough.

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I see it a little differently.

The forward needs to initiate a lead that allows the player upfield to put it to his advantage. One of the issues is that our forwards do not lead enough.

You don't see it that it's his job to put it in front of them?

There might be some merit in what you said about our forwards, maybe with the exception of Marra. I think he leads a lot and gets it put over his head.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

You don't see it that it's his job to put it in front of them?

There might be some merit in what you said about our forwards, maybe with the exception of Marra. I think he leads a lot and gets it put over his head.

Gaz jnr was the best I've ever seen at hitting a forward.
He somehow could run full tilt and chip the ball into space as well without drilling it.

[ledge]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

A great midfielder will kick it to a space that will make the forward run into it , in effect making the forward run to the ball.
In saying that the forward must make sure the space is there.
A lot of Hawkins marks and leads are from the midfielder eg Ablett jnr kicking it in front of him to make him run to it, it looks like he lead but in truth he was made to run to the ball. The old saying put “put it in front”
From what I’m reading I think Sanders is the guy who can do it.
I think Bailey Smiths problem is 1 we haven’t got it right yet and our forwards block up each others space and 2 it’s extremely hard to hit them on the chest when the forwards aren’t moving in different directions.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Sometimes it's hard to know, there's a lot of voices in my head.

I can see a RKO happening at the nets.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I want to know how many 22 year olds have highlights packages as good as Smith's that also contain ten examples of hitting forwards who are leading at them on the tit.

[Mantis]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I want to know how many 22 year olds have highlights packages as good as Smith's that also contain ten examples of hitting forwards who are leading at them on the tit.

But they aren't the same thing are they?

Bailey does the hard things well, but the bread & butter bits like kicking the ball to your team-mate is something he struggles with... and to become a more effective player he needs to improve in that area.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

But they aren't the same thing are they?

Bailey does the hard things well, but the bread & butter bits like kicking the ball to your team-mate is something he struggles with... and to become a more effective player he needs to improve in that area.

He needs to bring some more composure to his execution, though prior to the last couple of years I didn't think he was too bad. He's lapsed but I don't think it's terminal.

[doggies ftw]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

He needs to bring some more composure to his execution, though prior to the last couple of years I didn't think he wasn't too bad. He's lapsed but I don't think it's terminal.

Yeah spot on, it wasn?t really too big an issue before last year it?s just fresh in everyone?s mind. I?d love to know how many people had even raised it as an issue prior to last year. I bet it wasn?t many

Technically he?s as sound as can be, doesn?t miss a target from a standing start after a mark etc (nor should he) but it?s his composure on the run which is letting him down, he?s not alone there across the league and I think he?ll sort it out to a reasonable extent

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I want to know how many 22 year olds have highlights packages as good as Smith's that also contain ten examples of hitting forwards who are leading at them on the tit.

[Sam]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Can’t afford to lose a guy with his ability and age bracket.
All other teams have worked with the bit harder to handle players and benefited from it, Dusty Martin and Jordan Degoey to name a few. Its about time our club grew up a little and learnt how to manage these situations.
People quickly forget how good this kid was early days.

[AshMac]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I will concede that Bailey was below par in 2023, but if we trade out every player who goes backward for a year we won't have much left.

His effort in the finals in Brisbane and Adelaide in 2021 show he has what it takes.

Our challenge should be to harness his ability and use it for the betterment of the team.

With the ACL Bailey would be well advised to sign a reasonable contract for 2 years and concentrate on his rehab.

He then needs to get on the park and prove he has what it takes. He could then command a significant Free Agency contract.

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.

[AshMac]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I want to know how many 22 year olds have highlights packages as good as Smith's that also contain ten examples of hitting forwards who are leading at them on the tit.

6/7 of the top 15 from his draft year