AFL clubs are just too nice.
They don’t bid on Father/Son picks early, and often allow Academy picks to slide down the order, as well. And it’s not only in terms of the drafting process that they roll over, either.
It doesn’t happen often, with clubs seemingly intent on doing the right thing by the player, the opposition club, and their future selves. However, when it comes to trading players, getting appropriate value, and standing your ground, perhaps it’s time we see teams starting to get a little tougher with departing players.
There is talk this week that Geelong and the Western Bulldogs are miles apart on a deal to send Bailey Smith to the Cattery, with Smith “officially” nominating his potential new home last week. Basically, it was the worst-kept secret in footy.
The Cats, after finishing a couple of kicks outside the Grand Final, have Pick 17 in the 2024 National Draft. They look set to continue enjoying an era of moderate success (success without the flag = moderate in my book) and will likely have a pick in the teens again in 2025. Let’s face it – they’re not going away!
That pick, however, is not enough to turn the heads of the Dogs, who know what they have in Bailey Smith, and feel a much higher draft pick is a reasonable price to pay for his services.
Smith is out of contract, and as such, has a bit of bargaining power in the situation. If the Dogs choose not to trade him for whatever the Cats decide is an appropriate level of compensation, then Bailey Smith could “walk to the draft”.
Yes, sounds like a plan, huh?
And it might be just that… right up until some of the other teams get a little ruthless, and force Smith, the Dogs, and the Cats to get serious with their deal.
Oh yeah… HB has a plan. Let’s get stuck in
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