Hawthorn is planning a play for Bailey Smith if he wants to leave the Western Bulldogs at the end of the season.
The Bulldog midfielder, who has been linked with a trade to Geelong, was believed to have been considering a trade based on his time in the midfield.
With Smith's future set to be one of the hottest talking points of the AFL player movement period, The Sporting News has all the latest.
Bailey Smith latest news: Bulldogs star '80 per cent chance' to leave
Western Bulldogs star Smith is an '80 per cent' chance to leave the club at the end of the 2024 season, according to Herald Sun's Jon Ralph.
Smith has been linked with a move to Geelong and Hawthorn, while Collingwood are believed to have developed an interest.
"The chances of him moving on seem to be about 80 per cent," Ralph wrote.
"So the onus is on Smith to work his butt off to improve his kicking and on-ball craft so (coach) Luke Beveridge simply has to give him more centre bounce opportunities.
"Then he can either stay on a significant deal or explore the market at the end of 2024.
"This year his lack of impact meant Beveridge wasn’t proved wrong by pushing him to half forward."
Hawthorn interest remains in Bailey Smith - October 5
Hawthorn will continue to pursue Smith in the AFL Trade Period, despite talks cooling on the Bulldogs star.
The 22-year-old struggled for midfield time this season and could find a bigger role at the Hawks — the club he supported growing up.
According to journalist Sam McClure, a move to Hawthorn hasn't been ruled out just yet.
“My understanding is that Hawthorn has not given up the chase... and they’re still willing to part with Pick 3 for him,” McClure said on the Tradies Podcast.
“I’m always a big one for picking the guy who’s a known quantity at AFL level and you’re going to get 10 years out of him, versus Pick 3, which could be hit or miss.
“Bailey Smith was one of the best players in the competition not so long ago, I know he’s had his issues since then."
Smith's player agent Paul Connors previously denied speculation that the young star would request a move.
"He'll be at the Bulldogs," Connors told Gettable in September.
"I feel like the more we say it, the more people just don't listen. But he'll be at the Dogs.
"He'll get his body right, he's been a bit tired and sore. He'll go back, refresh and reset. He's looking forward to a big year. But he'll be there."
Hawthorn emerges as potential trade destination - August 29
Hawthorn has thrown their hat in the ring for Smith's services if the Western Bulldogs star wants a trade.
According to 7NEWS, the Hawks are the second club, alongside Geelong, to make their interest known in the 22-year-old.
The Hawks are keen to build on a promising season, where they defeated the likes of Collingwood and Brisbane, despite only winning seven games.
Smith, who was a Hawks fan growing up, has a contract that runs until the end of the 2024 season.
Star to seek trade if demand not met - August 21
Smith could ask to leave the Western Bulldogs if he doesn't spend more time in the midfield.
Journalist Tom Morris revealed Smith's midfield time has been on the decline until last weekend, and watching this statistic could be a guide to his future.
"He’s desperate to play midfield," Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
"If he stays at half-forward, he won’t be re-signing beyond 2024 and is every chance to consider his options this trade period. Rivals clubs are acutely aware of the fact he wants to play midfield.
"On Sunday he played 70 per cent midfield according to Champion Data, but over the course of this year it’s been 44 per cent.
"That’s the main dimension about whether Smith will stay or leave in the next year or two. That’s the big watch on Smith.
"How much midfield time he gets is a big determination for his future."
Geelong deny seeking trade for Bailey Smith - July 25
Geelong have contacted Western Bulldogs to put bed to rumours they are chasing midfield star Smith,
According to the Herald Sun, a senior Geelong official reached out to a Bulldogs counterpart to deny discussions with Smith.
A report from SEN had previously suggested the Cats had reached out to Smith about a move to the Cattery in 2024.
Will Bailey Smith join Geelong in a trade from the Western Bulldogs?
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A report from journalist Sam Edmund on SEN suggested Geelong have started talks with Smith's management about a possible move to GMHBA Stadium for the 2024 AFL season.
Smith is contracted to the end of next season but rumours of a departure from the Western Bulldogs have intensified with the star struggling for form recently.
"With Bailey Smith, I know there's been a bit said around this player in recent times," Edmund said on SEN Afternoons.
"A lot of it has been prompted by an unfortunate downturn in form.
"His position and all sorts of opinions and theories have been floated off the back of that - what should and shouldn't be done with Bailey Smith.
"I don't want that to cloud what I'm about to say - which has been fact now for a while, certainly since well before Smith's form dip.
"That is that Geelong has had meaningful conversations about trading for Bailey Smith.
"The Cats are interested in bringing Smith down to GMHBA Stadium and in fact, they've been workshopping it behind the scenes for some time."
What would Bailey Smith cost in a trade?
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Despite Smith's drop in form, it's clear any club wanting to trade for the midfielder would have to give up significant capital to the Western Bulldogs.
Not only is Smith a 22-year-old who has averaged nearly 30 possessions across an entire season, but he is also arguably the most marketable player in the AFL.
A Smith trade could be comparable to Tim Kelly's move from Geelong to West Coast, which saw the Eagles give up two first-round selections and a couple of second-round picks with steak knives selections in return.
Kelly was a 25-year-old All-Australian midfielder at the time of his trade to Geelong.
While Smith has not snared an All-Australian blazer, he is three years younger than Kelly was when he swapped Geelong for Perth.
And the Bulldog has shown enough potential to suggest he could contend for individual honours and awards throughout his career.
You would expect the Bulldogs to demand at least two first-round picks with a bunch of other selection swaps in their favour.
Bailey Smith's off-field incidents
During his five years in the AFL system, Smith has been involved in two reported incidents off the field.
The first was a police investigation into an incident that occurred on the Gold Coast in October 2021, where Smith allegedly pushed a man outside a Burleigh Heads pub.
However, nothing eventuated from those allegations.
Two months later, Smith was granted an indefinite period of leave away from the AFL by the Western Bulldogs.
In June last year, vision emerged of Smith holding a bag filled with a white substance at a party.
Shortly after the video was made public, Smith admitted to using recreational drugs in a statement released via the club.
The AFL suspended Smith for two games following his admission.
