The Age’s Sam McClure has named two additional Victorian clubs that he thinks are in the running for Bailey Smith’s signature.
The Bulldog comes out of contract at the end of 2024 and has previously been linked to both Geelong and Hawthorn in trade talks.
While the Cats and Hawks could still be positioning themselves for a Smith play, McClure thinks that Collingwood and Essendon are also “neck deep” in a potential pursuit for the midfielder as well.
He discussed the 22-year-old’s big contract call and the club’s chasing him with Seven’s Mitch Cleary on the Tradies Podcast.
Cleary: “Bailey Smith. Right here right now, Hawthorn or Geelong? Who is in front?”
McClure: “Right here, right now … I’d have Collingwood and Essendon neck deep in it as well.”
Cleary: “Why on earth do Essendon need another midfielder?”
McClure: “Because they don’t have many very good ones.”
Cleary: “(Darcy) Parish, (Zach) Merrett, (Elijah) Tsatas, (Archie) Perkins… (Ben) Hobbs.
“Geelong would be the most obvious fit. Their midfield with (Patrick) Dangerfield, (Cam) Guthrie and their age demographic.”
McClure: “Bailey makes sense at Geelong, I agree.
“Put it this way, I would be shocked if Bailey Smith has re-signed at the Western Bulldogs by July.
“If they (uncontracted players) don’t sign by then, you know things are moving.”
Cleary: “I agree with you on that.”
Smith has played 103 games for the Bulldogs since being taken with pick No. 7 in the 2018 Draft.
He featured 19 times in 2023 but saw his averages decrease from 2022 in disposals, marks, tackles, goals, inside 50s and clearances as he was used in a variety of roles.