Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

[Axe Man]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Hawks play down possible move for Smith

HAWTHORN head of football Rob McCartney has played down a possible move for Western Bulldogs gun Bailey Smith.

The Hawks have been linked with a potential trade for Smith, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Bulldogs.

But McCartney told AFL.com.au's Sarah Olle and Josh Gabelich on Continental Tyres AFL Trade Radio that a move for the 22-year-old was unlikely.

"The first thing I'm going to say about Bailey is he's a wonderful player. I reckon there's 18 clubs including the Bulldogs who are saying, 'He would make us better,'" he said.

"In saying that, I know that conversations with his manager are very, very clear that he's committed to the Bulldogs in 2024.

"So, at this stage, no, I don't think there's anything happening in that space."

– Dejan Kalinic

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Jai Newcomb for Bailey Smith? That would be a half decent deal. And some pick swaps?

[hujsh]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Jai Newcomb for Bailey Smith? That would be a half decent deal. And some pick swaps?

I would, they wouldn't and I doubt the club would.

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Jai Newcomb for Bailey Smith? That would be a half decent deal. And some pick swaps?

I would, they wouldn't and I doubt the club would.

I love what Newcombe is doing at the Hawks and would love him at the Dogs. But he ain't no Bailey Smith at the top of his game.

Bailey Smith has eaten up finals and won them. I get it's unfair as a comparison that Jai hasn't had the chance, but on the trade table outside of swaps between their respective clubs Bailey Smith commands a massive price versus Jai Newcombe for a good reason.

Let's get behind Smith, it's what he needs, and if he's up we do well.

[Topdog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Bailey had an average year by his standards, it still included a 3 week patch which few players can match.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Bailey had an average year by his standards, it still included a 3 week patch which few players can match.

It's why I wouldn't want to lose him unless a great deal was on offer and we weren't confident of getting a deal done with him next year. Potential suitors like the Hawks have sort of ruled out a deal for pick 3 and Geelongs pick 7 just seems unders.

The whole Bailey Smith deal or no deal will be a constant discussion through this trade period unless we can somehow shut it down or he re-signs.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

It's why I wouldn't want to lose him unless a great deal was on offer and we weren't confident of getting a deal done with him next year. Potential suitors like the Hawks have sort of ruled out a deal for pick 3 and Geelongs pick 7 just seems unders.

The whole Bailey Smith deal or no deal will be a constant discussion through this trade period unless we can somehow shut it down or he re-signs.

Say he stays (I think he goes). Does the circus next year improve his game (I.e. Stringer in a contract year) or form a bigger distraction that gets in the way for him?

I think if he was not liking all the negative press this year and it comes next year, then he might not have a break out year and his trade value will plummet. I don’t see WCE going for Pick 4 if they want Curtin. To me Smith is the right move for them. To me, Pick 4 is the right move for us. I hope we don’t shut the door on Hawthorn.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I love what Newcombe is doing at the Hawks and would love him at the Dogs. But he ain't no Bailey Smith at the top of his game.

Bailey Smith has eaten up finals and won them. I get it's unfair as a comparison that Jai hasn't had the chance, but on the trade table outside of swaps between their respective clubs Bailey Smith commands a massive price versus Jai Newcombe for a good reason.

Let's get behind Smith, it's what he needs, and if he's up we do well.

Yep. I agree.

Bailey is a unique talent, and he's had a rough patch. I really think it would be emblematic of there being some issues with our professionalism as a club, if we were unable to get the best of him. I am 99.99% confident that were he to go to another club, he will tear it up and make us look like fools for the next decade.

We often lament the fact we're not a destination club for high profile players come trade time each year. Our ability to handle situations just like this is really a litmus test for our professionalism as a club.

And if we're not up to the task of managing and fostering the development of special talents, and finding ways to navigate them through personal challenges, then we need to recognise this now and do something.

And it might be that we've missed the bus with Smith....and if that's the case, then that is probably a piece of evidence that would indicate a need for change in our football department.
So if it's too late to keep a hold of Smith( And I'm not suggesting it is- I have no idea), then we need to be pragmatic, and do it this year, and not next.

We will lose as a club, either way. Smith is a 250-300 game player for sure. But if he is going, then we need to make the most of the loss, and to do that we probably need an answer from him this trade period, not next. Would that be fair?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Yep. I agree.

Bailey is a unique talent, and he's had a rough patch. I really think it would be emblematic of there being some issues with our professionalism as a club, if we were unable to get the best of him. I am 99.99% confident that were he to go to another club, he will tear it up and make us look like fools for the next decade.

We often lament the fact we're not a destination club for high profile players come trade time each year. Our ability to handle situations just like this is really a litmus test for our professionalism as a club.

And if we're not up to the task of managing and fostering the development of special talents, and finding ways to navigate them through personal challenges, then we need to recognise this now and do something.

And it might be that we've missed the bus with Smith....and if that's the case, then that is probably a piece of evidence that would indicate a need for change in our football department.
So if it's too late to keep a hold of Smith( And I'm not suggesting it is- I have no idea), then we need to be pragmatic, and do it this year, and not next.

We will lose as a club, either way. Smith is a 250-300 game player for sure. But if he is going, then we need to make the most of the loss, and to do that we probably need an answer from him this trade period, not next. Would that be fair?

If I was Smith, I’d want at some point to diversify my followers and business interests by moving clubs. I think he’s going to be a very savvy, wealthy guy. But I don’t suspect footy or one club loyalty will have as much pull. That’s just my read. So as good as he could be and may be elsewhere, I think the pragmatic approach is to listen to offers this year. We don’t have to shop him per se, but we should listen to offers. I think he’s genuinely a unique case and I think the club has gone above and beyond to support him. By his own admission he basically spoked it up this year which is unacceptable.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I would, they wouldn't and I doubt the club would.

Teams never trade good players. Unless they ask to be traded. Or they blow up their cap (Treloar, Grundy).

[MrMahatma]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Was walking around Chermside (north Brisbane) Westfield last night with my 11 yr old daughter. "Is that Baz?" she asks, as we walk past Cotton On... and there's a MASSIVE picture of the man himself.

The kid (and he's still young) is a very good footballer at his best, and he is legitimately FAMOUS. And he's never once said he wants to leave, has he?

KEEP HIM! He's good for us on field. He's good for us off-field. This isn't the 1980s where we need to sell players to make ends meet. KEEP HIM!

[azabob]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

So... I was wrong. I genuinely believed that Smith would not be at our club come the end of trade period.

I thought Connors was playing us all saying one thing while doing another.

Strangely enough today I am more confident than I was last week of retaining Smith and him being at our club for a long time.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

Ok. Can he now practice hitting a target inside 50?

[hujsh]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

So... I was wrong. I genuinely believed that Smith would not be at our club come the end of trade period.

I thought Connors was playing us all saying one thing while doing another.

Strangely enough today I am more confident than I was last week of retaining Smith and him being at our club for a long time.

Nah I'm pretty sure he left, Haws fans were sure it's happening... Oh I'm getting word now it's DEFINITELY happening next year. Smith kept it all quiet and didn't request a trade cause he's a nice guy and wanted to treat the Dogs well and none of it leaked despite his profile because people in the AFL industry are just nice like that (except of course to people on BigFooty you have to tell them it's in most club contracts).

Easy to forget how good he was at the start of 2022. I certainly had. He's had a down year and a half though and will want to prove himself and will have all the financial incentive to do so. Expecting a big year from him. Hoping he repays the club that has supported him through all these trials by showing a bit of loyalty.

I'll buy some Barry if he does

[ledge]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

I saw an article he was in Catland . Made me laugh how a player goes to do a gig in another suburb and it’s headlined to make it sound like he is going to Geelong.
Players can’t leave their clubs suburb nowadays it seems even though it’s job related.
The media seriously are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to making something out of nothing.