There’s a wildcard in the race for an out-of-contract Western Bulldogs gun.
Meanwhile, a star Eagle is “open to at least considering” departing West Coast — despite his contracted status — with another Victorian club “heavily” interested.
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Trac discusses family’s ‘frustration’ | 03:37
‘THERE’S A CLOSE LINK THERE’: WILDCARD IN RACE FOR WANTAWAY DOG?
Bailey Smith is one of the hottest names in this year’s player movement sphere, having attracted well-known interest from Victorian powerhouses Collingwood and Geelong.
However, Hawthorn might be the wildcard trade candidate for the off-contract midfielder.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Midweek Tackle, Herald Sun journalist Glenn McFarlane shared his latest intel on the Smith sweepstakes.
“Industry sources will tell you that Geelong has a desire to add that pacy, mature-aged midfielder, and the Surf Coast has got a bit of appeal,” McFarlane began on Tuesday night.
“Collingwood’s long been linked to (Smith), we’ve spoken about it here. Their 2024 draft hand is going to be the biggest concern — that’s why the situation there is drying up a little bit. They’re going to have to give up a future (draft pick).
“I think it’s less likely to be Collingwood now than it is Geelong.
“I wouldn’t rule out Hawthorn in that sense. Hawthorn can get a deal done. Can Collingwood get a deal done? That’s the question mark.”
Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph added: “You can’t discount Collingwood in any way, because he might say ‘I need to play with Nick and Josh Daicos’, but I think they (Collingwood) are huge outsiders (to land Smith) right now.”
Fellow Herald Sun journalist Jay Clark chimed in: “I don’t think you can discount Hawthorn at this stage, either — I think there’s a close link there … He’s definitely gone (from the Bulldogs).”
Smith hasn’t played any football this year as he continues in his rehabilitation from a pre-season ACL rupture.
Hawkins to miss 6-8 weeks with injury | 00:28
DOGS ‘HEAVILY INTO’ CONTRACTED EAGLE
The Western Bulldogs are one of multiple clubs interested in acquiring the services of West Coast defender Tom Barrass.
Barrass, who is contracted at Lathlain until the end of the 2026 season before being eligible for unrestricted free agency, has reportedly attracted interest from Collingwood this year.
Ralph said the Bulldogs could turn a potential Smith draft return into a trade package to dangle in front of the Eagles for Barrass, who is into his 11th year at the club.
“We wrote a couple of months back that the Dogs were really heavily into Tom Barrass,” Ralph told Midweek Tackle.
“I think they (the Bulldogs) absolutely knew that Bailey was going, so that’s why they gave up (picks) 10, 17 and that future first for Ryley Sanders, who’s coming along nicely — he’s the inside midfielder that Bailey potentially wasn’t in the last couple of years.
“They get (for example) pick 6 from Hawthorn, or they get a future first or whatever it is (in a Smith trade) — you trade that for Tom Barrass, who’s turning 29, and I think he’s open to at least considering it.
“So, you’ve got Liam Jones, you’ve got Tom Barrass, you’ve got an elite midfield … It’s the perfect time for them to give up a first rounder for a bloke who might have four or five years left.”
Hypothetically, Barrass slots in very nicely next to the blue-chip players the Dogs already boast.
“The Bulldogs desperately need a player of Tom Barrass’ calibre to stiffen that whole backline up,” Jay Clark added.
“You’ve got Marcus Bontempelli, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton back in the team — they’re win-now and Tom Barrass is win-now.”