Pick 8 for Bailey Smith? Would you do it?

[bigcarl]

He’s 23 with attitude. Explosive midfielder. What’d ya think?

heraldsun.com.au

St Kilda has been urged to call Geelong’s bluff and draft Bailey Smith if the Cats try to use the draft as leverage to land the Bulldogs midfielder for pick 17.
There has been little movement between the Cats and Bulldogs on a deal in the opening three days of the trade period, with Geelong’s first-round pick not enough to satisfy the Dogs.
It raised the possibility – albeit faint – of Smith ending up in the national draft pool as an out-of-contract player.
Speaking on Fox Footy’s Trading Day, Ben Dixon said if that scenario played out, St Kilda should gazump the Cats and make a “ruthless” call take Smith with either pick 7 or 8.
“If I was St Kilda, I would be taking the punt,” Dixon said.
“If you’re going into this draft period and you don’t want to upset a manager because you’re going to have future dealings with players and it’s going to affect your relationship, (you’re) in it for the wrong reasons.

[diddley]

Yes

[chook23]

Urged by Ben Dickson

That is newsworthy

NOT

[bigcarl]

Urged by Ben Dickson

That is newsworthy

NOT

heraldsun.com.au

Former Saint Leigh Montagna said it would be unfair for Geelong to drag Smith through the uncertainty of the draft.
“They have committed to Bailey Smith. They have said from a long way, ‘we want you, you’re our man’. It’s incumbent on Geelong to get the deal done.
“They can’t do that and say, ‘well we’re going to win this Mexican standoff’ and put Bailey Smith through a very, very nervous period until the end of November sitting there thinking that another club could take him if they wanted.
“It’s on Geelong and Andrew Mackie to get the job done.”

[cwrcyn]

Bailey Smith has a lot of personal issues. Any club taking him on would need to think carefully about the level of support required and the risks.

I'd rather go to the draft

[chook23]

Urged by Ben Dickson

That is newsworthy

NOT

heraldsun.com.au

Former Saint Leigh Montagna said it would be unfair for Geelong to drag Smith through the uncertainty of the draft.
“They have committed to Bailey Smith. They have said from a long way, ‘we want you, you’re our man’. It’s incumbent on Geelong to get the deal done.
“They can’t do that and say, ‘well we’re going to win this Mexican standoff’ and put Bailey Smith through a very, very nervous period until the end of November sitting there thinking that another club could take him if they wanted.
“It’s on Geelong and Andrew Mackie to get the job done.”

Understand it is in paper but should not be

Just complete fluff

[bigcarl]

Urged by Ben Dickson

That is newsworthy

NOT

heraldsun.com.au

Former Saint Leigh Montagna said it would be unfair for Geelong to drag Smith through the uncertainty of the draft.
“They have committed to Bailey Smith. They have said from a long way, ‘we want you, you’re our man’. It’s incumbent on Geelong to get the deal done.
“They can’t do that and say, ‘well we’re going to win this Mexican standoff’ and put Bailey Smith through a very, very nervous period until the end of November sitting there thinking that another club could take him if they wanted.
“It’s on Geelong and Andrew Mackie to get the job done.”

Understand it is in paper but should not be

Just complete fluff

Perhaps. But hypothetically would you support the club making an attempt?

If do it partly because he is young and a gun and partly to try to f—- the Cats over. I’m sick of them playing finals or grand finals every year, then turning around and picking up, say, Jeremy Cameron … or Bailey Smith

[bobmurray]

I wouldn't be giving pick 8 for Smith if Geelong is only offering pick 17 for him.

When Smith wasn't playing in the midfield he struggled, big time.
Let the cats have him i say.

[magnifisaint]

No way!

[bigcarl]

I wouldn't be giving pick 8 for Smith if Geelong is only offering pick 17 for him.

When Smith wasn't playing in the midfield he struggled, big time.
Let the cats have him i say.

That’s the thing. I reckon he is a midfielder, which is what we need. Bevo obviously sees it differently, but Smith wants to play midfield

[St Dave]

How does the contract situation work if we draft him? Does he go on to a fresh draftee contract for 3 years?

Because he had the potential to be a great x-factor mid and we could let him develop there. And worst case of he doesn't want to play for us we get three years to try to extract a first + whatever else from Geelong while he rots in the VFL for the cost of a list spot.

Pretty tempting but 8 might be a bit steep but say we split a pick with GWS or someone too slide down before Geelong's first pick? Absolutely just to screw them over

[B.M]

No fkn way

Overrated- can’t kick for s***

[Scollop]

Bailey Smith has a lot of personal issues.

The Herald Sun had a story on Max King’s new contract and they referenced that St Kilda granted him time away from the club for his mental health. What’s the difference?

We recruited Brad Crouch after he was arrested for possession.

We recruited Jack Higgins after knowing he had bleeding in the brain and there was a risk that he may need further surgery.

I know we’d have to give up a top 10 pick to the Dogs if we want him, but I think there’s an opportunity here when we are trying to bring in one of his former team mates in Mcrae.

We’re not talking about a Tarryn Thomas type of personality here. Just a young bloke dealing with the pressure and fame and expectations that come with being a star footballer. And don’t worry…he is a star. Ask Jack Mcrae.

[B.M]

Bailey Smith is a flog

And couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a sack of wheat

[bigcarl]

Bailey Smith is a flog

And couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a sack of wheat

And couldn’t hit the ocean if he fell off a boat etc, etc. A lot of good midfielders aren’t elite kicks - I’m not sure he is all that bad - but the job is to get it out and get it moving.

But don’t fret Marto, it’s most unlikely to happen. History says that if a player nominates a certain club, that is where he lands.

Hypothetically if we were to get him, of course it would come with risks. However history also tells us that if you go to the draft with picks 7 & 8, that carries its own risks.

There are no guarantees in football

[B.M]

No guarantees of course.

But really you should get first rounder right

Your picking inside the best 20 kids in the country

Ie/ our last three picks
NWM, Phillipou, Wilson
Would you trade any of them for Bailey Smith

[Scollop]

Bailey Smith is a flog

And couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a sack of wheat

You were one of Brad Crouch's biggest supporters. Is Brad a good kick is he?

If you don't like Smith ...or his haircut...or his personality... that's totally different to trying to bag the player.

Jack Mcrae won the Gary Ayers medal in 2021 as the best player in the finals with 29 coaches votes

Guess which 20 year old at the time came second with 27 votes?

Mcrae definitely had more possessions and clearances in those 2021 finals matches, but Smith was the one that had the inspirational moments.

He turned the game for the Bulldogs against Brisbane up at the Gabba in the semi final with 3 awesome goals..oh and Smith also had better disposal efficiency than Mcrae that night too

[bigcarl]

No guarantees of course.

But really you should get first rounder right

Your picking inside the best 20 kids in the country

Ie/ our last three picks
NWM, Phillipou, Wilson
Would you trade any of them for Bailey Smith

No, we appear to have done well with them.

But I could name others in recent years - I won’t, but I could - who were complete busts.

Look, it won’t happen because Geelong wants him.

Bailey Smith offers a huge upside, which I think Chris Scott and the Cats recognise. He was tearing it up as a midfielder for the Dogs, then Bevo decides he’s a half forward.

Scott wants him in Cats midfield, and I can see why. I expect they will reach terms, probably involving Geelong’s 2025 first rounder.

[Scollop]

Exactly....If Chris Scott wants him and they're prepared to pay up.. and they will eventually hand over more than just their pick 17...you know he's worth it.

I just think people forget how young Smith is.

He's turning 24 in December

I'm not saying we should hand over Pou or Wilson, because they're known quantities... but pick 9 or 10 isn't

[Scollop]

Look, it won’t happen because Geelong wants him.

Bailey Smith offers a huge upside, which I think Chris Scott and the Cats recognise.

Like you said... it's all hypothetical, but it's interesting how some people are quick to bag a player and undervalue his worth when it's not our club chasing him

Would be an unreal coup for Gubby and Ross Lyon (and the whole football club morale) if we snatch a player that other clubs are pursuing

[Scollop]

It's not the safe option going for Smith. If it backfires there could be people's jobs on the line

The safe option is hit the draft with the two top 10 picks. Let's hope we pick up one of these gun mids and let's hope they're just as good

However...if they are fair dinkum about trying to win a Premiership...and not just 'saving face' and remaining competitive, then Smith is exactly the sort of player we need.

You can't be half pregnant. I don't get why it's ok to bring in Mcrae and Soldo, but somehow bringing in Smith is a mistake?!?

[Otiman]

Split 8 into picks 15 and 16(ish), trade one for Smith and one for Oliver.

[Templar]

Not a fan.
To be fair just going by personality I wouldn't employ him and I can't see him developing into a ten year loyal Saints champion. The vibe I also get is that it is all about him. He would be better off as a tennis player and not in a team sport.

[TheGreatZacsby]

Split 8 into picks 15 and 16(ish), trade one for Smith and one for Oliver.

Now that’s an idea I can get around Otiman

[The_Dud]

Why would he be in the National draft and not the Pre-season draft?