'Didn't go down too well': Bulldogs filthy after disgruntled star Bailey Smith spotted in the stands
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After being spotted watching the preliminary final between Geelong and Brisbane in the Cats camp on Saturday night at the MCG, Bailey Smith has landed in hot water with current club, the Western Bulldogs.
Smith, who formally requested a trade at the start of September, did not nominate a destination club, but has been heavily linked to Geelong.
The 23-year-old, who didn't play a game for the Dogs this year, tore his ACL in the pre season, ruling him out of 2024, which was his last year under contract.
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He was sent away on a trip to Europe earlier in the year, and returned to the club mid-season, at which point discussions between Geelong and Hawthorn reportedly intensified.
But now, it looks like the move down the highway has all but been signed off, after a photo of Smith sitting amongst Geelong players, partners and sponsors surfaced on social media on Saturday night.
Bailey Smith was spotted sitting amongst Geelong players, family members and sponsors during their preliminary final at the MCG. Twitter
Smith was spotted in front of Tom Hawkins and Connor O'Sullivan, who are seen seated behind him.
And according to leading journalist Caroline Wilson, it has left the Dogs disgruntled, considering the trade period has not begun.
"It didn't go down too well with the Western Bulldogs when this photo appeared on social media," Wilson said on Nine's Footy Classified on Tuesday night.
Most interestingly, the midfielder is seated and speaking with family members of Cotton On, who are the Cats' jumper sponsor, as well as a personal sponsor of Smith.
"He's sitting with family members of Ash Hardwick, one of the co-owners of Cotton On. Cotton on, of course, being a major, major sponsor at Geelong. Bailey Smith, of course, is a Cotton On ambassador," Wilson said.
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Bailey Smith will be at a new club in 2025. Getty
"Geelong are lucky to have that Cotton On deal. It's been good for them."
Wilson described Smith's brazen decision to so publicly mix with Geelong people as "unusual" but Essendon great Matthew Lloyd disagreed.
"His head, to me, has been with them (Geelong) for 12, 18 months, however long," he said.
Geelong CEO Steve Hocking with coach Chris Scott, and Bulldogs player Bailey Smith. Getty
"It doesn't surprise me, because it seems to me that he's known he's been leaving for a long time."
Smith is a not a free or restricted free agent, meaning the Cats will need to cough up and trade for him, or run the risk of the 23-year-old going through the pre-season draft, where he can be selected by any club.
The midfielder does not qualify under free agency, as he has not played at the Dogs for eight years or more.
The AFL trade period begins Monday, October 9.
