Geelong CEO Steve Hocking has addressed growing trade speculation surrounding Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith.
It comes as the Cats were raised as a left-field destination club who have interest in delisted Carlton forward Jack Martin.
And it seems the Cats, who are not afraid to take a risk with older or discarded players, are never far from key trade conversations.
As for 23-year-old Smith, who missed the entire 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury, the Cats aren’t shying away from luring him down the highway.
Smith formally requested a trade out of Whitten Oval, but is yet to nominate a preferred club.
Bailey Smith requested a trade out of the Bulldogs in September. Getty
Hocking admits Geelong have all eyes on his camp, as they also turn their focus to Saturday afternoon’s preliminary final clash against Brisbane at the MCG.
“Yes, we’re interested in (Smith),” Hocking said on Wide World of Sports radio on Tuesday.
“He’s an amazing player. I won’t duck it too much. But we’ve got other things to do across this weekend, which is play against the Lions.”
Hocking says Geelong has become a destination club.
Jack Martin, who was delitsed by Carlton, has now been linked to Geelong. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“A large part of it (the interest in joining Geelong) is the region,” Hocking said.
“It’s seen as a place where people would like to settle their family into.
“Down here, the community embraces our football club in a different way to what it did once. It understands that we’re just part of the community.
Cats CEO Steve Hocking coach Chris Scott after their win over St Kilda in round one, 2024 at Kardinia Park. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“That lands pretty well with our people. You can conduct a pretty normal lifestyle down here.”
The Cats, despite winning the flag in 2022 and having not many high draft picks, have still managed to lure Ollie Henry, Jack Bowes and Tanner Bruhn to the club, as well as blooding low-end and rookie draft picks like Ollie Dempsey and Lawson Humphries.
Hocking sends all the credit the way of coach Chris Scott, who has led the club to two of their four premierships in the 21st century.
“Chris (Scott) deserves a lot of credit, he just continues to evolve,” Hocking said.
“One of the things he always says at the start of each year is, ‘we’re back at it now, let’s give ourselves the best chance possible’.”
Geelong will play in their 13th preliminary final in 18 years on Saturday evening at the MCG against Brisbane, with the winner advancing to a grand final.
