Western Bulldogs fans hit back over gesture for Bailey Smith as vital Geelong detail emerges
Geelong coach Chris Scott would be thrilled with the last minute deal.
The Western Bulldogs have faced backlash from their own fans for their farewell of Bailey Smith as fresh details have emerged of his exit. Only 10 minutes before the end of trade deadline, it was confirmed Smith would head to his preferred destination having joined the Geelong Cats in a big blow to the Western Bulldogs.
Smith had already made his feelings known he wanted a trade and all signs suggested he would join Geelong. Matthew Lloyd has already warned coach Luke Beveridge about losing top players at the club with Smith's departure a worry.
Regardless of whether he hadn't played in 2024 due to a knee reconstruction, Smith was seen a player the Bulldogs could build a team around. Unfortunately, Smith will don the Cats colours next year with Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel also leaving the Bulldogs.
And while the two All-Australians left with fans praising them for their commitment to the club, Bailey wasn't afforded the same courtesy. Bulldogs fans called out the farewell gesture and called for the club to read the room when it came to the 23-year-old skipping off to the Cats.
He has already unfollowed the Western Bulldogs on Instagram and didn't even bother to like the post wishing him well.
This tells you everything you need to know.— Greystache (@Greystache_1) October 16, 2024
dont let the door hit u on the way out bailey xoxo
— imogen ❤︎! 🍉 (@w3ightman) October 16, 2024
We'll certainly all miss Macrae and Daniel.
Smith though... 😵💫— Seeds (@_BMT99) October 16, 2024
bailey smith already unfollowed the dogs on insta. guy is wasting no time
— a (@ann2belle) October 16, 2024
Geelong to benefit after early trade for Bailey Smith
While Essendon great Lloyd was critical of Beveridge's tactics surrounding Smith - which he believes helped him walk out the door - Kane Cornes claimed Bailey can now avoid the 'anxiety' that comes with the AFL draft. The Port Adelaide great claimed Geelong have snagged a 'player in his prime'.
Damien Barrett doubled down on Cornes' take and said acquiring Smith now is a huge bonus for the Cats with the 23-year-old able to participate in pre-season training immediately. "They were adamant they were going to get him through one of the two drafts...but the fact he can train right now as a Geelong player that was really beneficial to him personally," Barrett said on Channel Nine.
"While his management was saying post trade period he was calm about it – he wasn't."
The panel unpacks the four-club mega trade that saw Bailey Smith finally land at the Cats. #9FootyFurnace | Live on CH9 & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/jGzh7UBaIK— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) October 16, 2024
Matthew Llouyd take swipe at Western Bulldogs
Essendon great Lloyd claimed Beveridge's decision to play Smith, Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel out of position has added to their will to depart the club. Daniel joined St Kilda, while Macrae joined North Melbourne.
"I think they've just lost far too many players high quality players. To lose three star players, All-Australians, and every single one of them is being played out of position. Bailey Smith played out of position. Caleb Daniel is in and out of the team, played out of position and Jack Macrae is in and out of the team, out of position," Lloyd said on 3AW Radio.
"They all want to go and play and be settled down on their spot. That's the criticism I have of the Western Bulldogs. Everything is on the line for Luke Beveridge next year. I think the way the players have left his club, I think Luke Beveridge has got to make a grand final if he is going to coach on the year after."
