Trade Frenzy: Geelong Lands Bailey Smith in Dramatic Four-Club Deal
In a stunning finale to the AFL trade period, Geelong has secured Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith in a complex four-club deal that went down to the wire. The Cats parted with the No. 17 draft pick and exchanged later selections to land the 23-year-old midfielder, who missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee reconstruction.
Smith’s Move Caps Off Frantic Final Hour
The deal was one of nine trades completed in the last 10 minutes of negotiations at Marvel Stadium, with Smith’s move being the highest-profile transaction of the day. Bulldogs list manager Sam Power revealed that the club had “exhausted all avenues” in talks with Geelong, but ultimately couldn’t resist the Cats’ offer.
Geelong’s Coup: Landing a Young Star
Cats list manager Andrew Mackie expressed his excitement about Smith’s arrival, saying, “We’re just really thrilled to get a 23-year-old Bailey Smith coming in and excited about what he can do for us.” The deal also saw Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy join the Bulldogs, while Jack Macrae left for St Kilda.
Other Late-Minute Deals Shake Up the AFL
In other dramatic trades, Essendon forward Jake Stringer finally joined GWS for pick No. 53, after his initial deal looked set to collapse. West Coast defender Tom Barrass will bolster Hawthorn’s backline, while Sydney duo Luke Parker and Jacob Konstanty headed to North Melbourne. Caleb Daniel also joined the Kangaroos from the Western Bulldogs, and James Peatling was traded from GWS to Adelaide.
Richmond’s Draft Haul: A Whopping Eight Picks in Round One
Earlier on Wednesday, Richmond secured a staggering eight picks in round one of the AFL draft, including the No. 6 and 23 selections, as part of Daniel Rioli’s reunion with coach Damien Hardwick at Gold Coast. The Tigers also sent Shai Bolton to Fremantle, scoring the No. 10, 11, and 18 picks in the process. With their impressive draft haul, Richmond is now well-positioned to rebuild their list for the future.
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