Bailey Smith: Star midfielder confirms trade request out of Western Bulldogs

Bailey Smith has confirmed his desire to depart the Western Bulldogs, with the star midfielder yet to make a call on where he’s keen to continue his career next season.

The 23-year-old, who rose to prominence with a starring role in the Dogs’ surge to the grand final in 2021, has been long rumoured to be keen to leave the Kennel.

The Bulldogs confirmed the out-of-contract Smith’s trade request on Monday.

“Given Bailey’s immense talent, age and proven ability to influence games, the club will work diligently to ensure it is fairly compensated throughout the process,” a club statement read.

Smith has played 103 games for the Dogs before missing the entire 2024 campaign after rupturing his ACL at training last December.

He has been linked to several Victorian clubs, including Geelong and Hawthorn, as he plots his next move in the wake of the Bulldogs’ elimination final defeat at the hands of the Hawks.

Hawthorn are already eyeing the inclusions of West Coast’s Tom Barrass and St Kilda’s Josh Battle across the off-season, with both defenders publicly declaring their intention to join Sam Mitchell’s side for next year.

The trade period begins on October 7.

Just a day before his trade request was made public, Smith on Sunday posted an Instagram story of him training inside the Bulldogs’ practice facility at Whitten Oval to his 329,000 followers - the biggest social media presence of any player in the AFL.

Smith’s impending exit continues a significant overhaul of the Dogs’ grand final side from just three years ago.

Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache all joined rival clubs at the end of 2022, while Easton Wood and Stefan Martin retired and Mitch Hannan and Roarke Smith were delisted.

Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel also face uncertain futures despite being contracted, with the duo used in reduced roles this season.