Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd has grilled Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge for the misuse of midfielder Bailey Smith, as Jimmy Bartel urged the 22-year-old to explore his trade options.
Despite Smith being contracted with the Bulldogs for 2024, Geelong has shown interest in picking up the 22-year-old, who is out of favour in his current midfield spot.
Lloyd put the spotlight on Beveridge for Smith’s fall from grace, with the coach unable to bring “the best” out of the youngster, particularly after their shock loss to the struggling Eagles.
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“I think Luke has made his year very difficult and it’s not getting the best out of him,” Lloyd said on Nine’s Footy Classified.
“He’s playing like a man who isn’t getting the best out of himself.”
Lloyd was also quick to point of Smith’s lack of middle time, with Beveridge not utilising his game-winning skills through the midfield.
“He wants to be centre bounce, he’s not there. He next would want to be on a wing, he’s not there. He’s not a half forward flanker,” Lloyd said.
Geelong champion Jimmy Bartel is keen for Smith to make the move down the highway, highlighting his career has the chance to flourish within the Cats’ midfield, which lacked without Cam Guthrie (injured) and Joel Selwood (retired) this season.
”(He’s) a highly talented player who ripped a finals series apart, so he can play on the big stage. And a guy who clearly wants to be playing more midfield minutes,” Bartel said on Wednesday night.
“The shifting nature with where they’ve (the Bulldogs midfield) have been playing, the different looks forward and behind the footy, its thrown a few of them off.”
Leading AFL journalist Damien Barrett confirmed talks with Geelong were underway, despite the quiet nature around Smith’s movements with the Bulldogs’ season still alive.
“There are conversations in play that align themselves with him not necessarily being at the Bulldogs next year.
The Bulldogs face Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night, hoping to keep their finals chances alive.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
