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FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018. -
Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith permitted to train away from club after devastating knee injury Jay Clark May 1 6:26pm
With Bailey Smith?s future at the Bulldogs in doubt, the superstar?s frustrations with his ACL tear pushed him away from the club to complete his rehab.
Western Bulldogs permitted star midfielder Bailey Smith to train away from the club earlier in his recovery from an ACL injury to help ease the gun ballwinners? frustrations with the injury.
The Dogs allowed Smith to train at a gym facility closer to his home in the eastern suburbs earlier in the year rather than have to make his way to the kennel for the daily grind of knee rehab.
The injury was a major disappointment for the linebreaker who was set for a massive year after winning the club?s time trial in the pre-season before the season-ending injury in December.
A strong season could have helped Smith deliver a contract worth up to $1 million a season but the knee injury will have reduced his value on his next deal.
Smith looks certain to request a trade at season?s end with strong interest from Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong likely to net the Dogs a first-round draft pick for him.
The Magpies and Cats have long been linked to the playmaker but the Hawks are certain to have an earlier first-round pick to help satisfy the Dogs in a trade.
Smith, 23, has resumed running in his recovery from the season-ending ACL injury and will consider heading overseas for a couple of weeks as part of a mid-year break.
Smith is unlikely to play this season with the club unlikely to risk one of their prime midfielders ahead of a potential trade to a Victorian rival.
The three clubs keen on Smith will undergo full assessments on his knee before they make a call on a trade for him.
Hawthorn is currently in second-last spot on the ladder and could either keep their first pick or potentially split it for two first-round choices to land a gun youngster and Smith.
Recruiters have said the top end of this year?s draft is seen as a very even crop with not much splitting the top-12 players.
Collingwood does not have a first-round pick in this year?s draft after trading it for ex-Docker Lachie Schultz last year, while the Cats are currently in first place and would have pick No. 18 on current ladder positions.
Smith is intent on making a full recovery and believes his best football is still ahead of him after a blistering finals series in 2021 fanned hype that he was one of the most damaging playmakers in the league.
He kicked eight goals in three finals as the Dogs went down to Melbourne in the 2021 Grand Final.Comment
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
Seriously Jay. I thought you were half decent. What is this article? Just throwing a lot mud and hoping something sticks. Ridiculous.Comment
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
The twitter headline "With Bailey Smith’s future at the Bulldogs in doubt, the superstar’s frustrations with his ACL tear pushed him away from the club to complete his rehab."
Hysteria inciting nonsense.Comment
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Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
Would be ironic if Hawks split Pick 2 to GCS. Then traded our first rounder back to us for Smith…Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
Headline “ pushed him away”
Story .. club and him agreed that he trains closer to home as it’s easier than trying to get to whitten oval from other side of city.
Spin doctoring is in full swing.Bring back the biffComment
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Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith
100%. Hysterical headline. Truth in the copy. The club trying to help him out. It is a good news story, they frame it as he has an issue with the clubs so is staying away.
Today Baz is doing promos with the little kids and as per Gary's training updates he has been at the club every training session.
So yes, he maybe already out the door, but the angle of the article is built on lies.Comment
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