Why Western Bulldogs won't be swayed to play Bailey Smith, despite Blues call on Sam Docherty
Updated . First published at
Despite Carlton deciding to play veteran Carlton in their elimination final after just six months sidelined with an ACL injury, the Western Bulldogs won't be doing the same with superstar Bailey Smith.
The Dogs face off against Hawthorn in their elimination final on Friday night at the MCG, and will do so without Smith in tow.
Smith, who has been heavily linked to a move to Geelong, ruptured his ACL in December of last year and has not played a game in 2024, which is his last year under contract with the Dogs.
READ MORE: Lockyer reveals where Reynolds sits in 'brutally honest' review
READ MORE: 'Blade Jumper' poised to shatter Olympic glass ceiling
READ MORE: NRL great sacked by Cowboys on eve of finals
And Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will not be taking any risks and force Smith back before the club's 11-month protocol has been met, despite the midfielder training confidently on Wednesday.
"It's an 11-month turnaround in our medical department, that's tried and true, we make sure the player is ready, we don't want recurrence," the coach said on Wednesday.
Luke Beveridge and Bailey Smith in 2022. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"Bailey wasn't operated on by (club surgeon David Young), but we're sticking to our 11-month protocols because we want to make sure that 'Baz' is OK to have a bright future in the game."
Beveridge didn't judge the Blues for the bold call to select Docherty, just six months after his ACL injury in the opening round against Brisbane.
"Maybe with Sam Docherty ... you're prepared to take a bit more of a risk at the end of your career," he said.
"If you ask the Blues, that's probably what they're doing, and I think everyone understands that."
Sam Docherty injured his ACL in opening round of the 2024 season. Fox Footy
Meantime, contract conversations between the club and Smith have stalled until the end of the Dogs 2024 finals campaign.
The club have offered the 23-year-old a two-year contract extension, which could lock him into the club until 2027.
However, it is growing increasingly likely that Smith will end up down the highway at Geelong.
Beveridge hinted back in August that his confidence around Smith's commitment at Whitten Oval was starting to "wane".
"When a player hasn't told you that he's staying, then, you know, as time goes on, your confidence levels start to wane a little bit," he said.
The Dogs will play off against the Hawks for a spot in a semi final.
