Luke Beveridge hits back at 'pungent' Western Bulldogs trade talk
After a few down weeks, Bailey Smith has emerged as a potential trade target - much to the Western Bulldogs' chagrin.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has angrily hit back at suggestions the club would be well served by investigating a trade for midfielder Bailey Smith, after his less than stellar performance against Collingwood in round 17. Smith reportedly played through illness during the two-goal loss to the Magpies, in which the Bulldogs forfeited a three-goal lead.
Smith's position has been heavily debated by both fans and AFL commentators, with the premiership star having performed below his usually influential standard in recent weeks. His ability to impact the contest has been lessened of late, averaging just six kicks and two clearances per game, well below his usually prolific standard.
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The 22-year-old managed just 14 disposals against Collingwood and has subsequently been ruled out through illness against Sydney this weekend. He has been putting in work to improve, noticeably being spotted doing some high-intensity running drills on the ground following his 19 disposals in a win over North Melbourne several rounds ago.
However those efforts have not been enough to stave off speculation that a change of scenery could be what unlocks a return to his previously high standard - suggestions Beveridge took umbrage to on Wednesday. He described talk of a Smith move as 'pungent' and 'disrespectful' in an adamant statement that the Bulldogs rated him as a core component of the team.
“All we’ve done here is look after Bailey, and yesterday him and I with our communications were in a really good place,” Beveridge said. “We’re hoping whether it’s this year or into next year that he finds his way to his absolute best, and we’ve just got to help him.
“He’s had some real challenges, he’s had injury, he’s had time out of the game, he’s been quite open with the mental health side of it … absolutely we all see the potential of a young man who should be a really influential player in the competition.”
Rival clubs circling around Bailey Smith
Regardless, rivals clubs are reportedly seriously considering courting the former No.7 draft pick, with SEN's Sam Edmund saying Geelong are an interested suitor. He said the Cats have already been in touch with Smith's management regarding a potential move.
Smith is contracted through to the end of 2024, but Edmund said Geelong's history of attracting high-calibre players from rivals clubs meant they could not be ruled out. The club acquired Jack Bowes from the Gold Coast in a salary-dump move from the Suns which also netted them the 7th pick in last year's draft, while also picking up Collingwood's Ollie Henry and GWS's Tanner Bruhn.
“Smith's contracted at the Whitten Oval until 2024,” Edmund said. “But really, if he plays half-forward for the next 18 months, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to understand he's a chance to leave.
“He was sick against Collingwood, I'm told, and really probably shouldn't have played, playing half-forward with Jamarra (Ugle-Hagan) and Aaron Naughton marking everything wouldn't have been an easy task. He didn't train (Tuesday), he’s in bed sick today and he won't play the Swans (Thursday) night.
“He's had some injury issues that Luke Beveridge has mentioned. It's a watch for now, just in terms of his direction.
“I haven't mentioned it until now because it appeared a long way down the road. But in light of recent events and the plethora of registered interest from other clubs in recent days and weeks, I thought it was time that we brought it to light. The Dogs need him, they desperately want to keep him, but it's a watch going forward.”
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