Fast and Furious: The Latest Contenders for Dogs’ Star and a Promising Bomber Arise

Uncertainty Surrounding Bailey Smith’s Future at Western Bulldogs

There is uncertainty surrounding the future of Bailey Smith at the Western Bulldogs, despite the club’s firm stance that he will not be going anywhere. Throughout the year, Smith has been linked to trade reports, with talk of unhappiness with his role at the Bulldogs. Geelong has been most consistently linked to the 22-year-old midfielder.

Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains stated last week that Smith is a required player at the club and is contracted for next year. However, veteran journalist Caroline Wilson suggests that there is some angst behind the scenes, with several clubs, including Collingwood and Hawthorn, circling the young gun. Wilson does not expect Smith to be at the Bulldogs in 2024.

If Smith eventually decides to leave the Bulldogs, doing so next year, when he is out of contract, would give him a wider range of options. Despite speculation, Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph believes that Smith will ultimately remain at the Bulldogs.

The Ideal Landing Spot for Bailey Smith

If Bailey Smith were to pursue a move, many believe that Geelong would be the ideal landing spot for him. Kane Cornes, a Port Adelaide 300-gamer, thinks that Smith would fit in well at the Cats, who have taken risks on players like Tyson Stengle with successful results. However, it remains to be seen if Geelong can come to an agreement with the Bulldogs in a potential trade.

The Future of Brodie Grundy

Brodie Grundy, the out-of-favour ruckman from the Melbourne Demons, is attracting interest from multiple clubs. Port Adelaide is seen as the hot favorite to land Grundy, with the Cats and the Swans also in the mix. Grundy, currently playing in the VFL while Melbourne prepares for the Qualifying Final, proved his worth with an impressive performance last weekend.

Ralph believes that Grundy is likely to end up at Port Adelaide, as the ruckman has expressed a desire to return there. Despite being contracted for four more seasons, Grundy’s pairing with Max Gawn at the Demons has not worked out, opening the possibility of a second trade in as many years for the South Australian-born player.

Port Adelaide’s Trade Challenge

Port Adelaide’s pursuit of Brodie Grundy may be complicated by their lean draft hand. The club currently holds only picks 37, 43, and 72 after trading their first-round pick last year. Additionally, Port Adelaide is also looking at other trade targets, including Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea and Essendon’s Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.

Darcy Parish Set to Re-Sign with Essendon

Meanwhile, there are positive developments for Essendon as Darcy Parish is set to re-sign with the Bombers. The 26-year-old free agent, who was an All-Australian in 2021, is reportedly on the verge of signing a new deal with the club that drafted him fifth overall in the 2015 National Draft.

There were initial reports of a stalemate between Parish’s management and the Bombers, with his agent Scott Lucas accusing the club of leaking information. However, talks between Parish and Essendon have ramped up, and he is expected to commit to the club soon. Parish expressed his commitment to the Bombers and his belief in the team’s potential despite a late-season fadeout.

Eager for a Fresh Start

It seems that Bailey Smith and Brodie Grundy may be seeking fresh starts at different clubs. Smith’s reported unhappiness with his role at the Bulldogs, combined with interest from other clubs, suggests that a move may be on the horizon. On the other hand, Grundy’s potential departure from Melbourne indicates that his pairing with Max Gawn has not lived up to expectations.

As the trade period approaches, these potential moves will undoubtedly generate interest and speculation. It remains to be seen which clubs will secure these star players and how their departures will impact their current teams. For fans of the Bulldogs and the Demons, the potential loss of Smith and Grundy will undoubtedly be felt. However, it also presents an opportunity for new players to step up and make their mark in these respective teams.

Disclaimer: The above report is based on speculation and information available at the time of writing. The actual trades and decisions may differ and are subject to further developments.