Hawthorn veteran Isaac Smith will be a Cat in 2021.
As first reported by The Herald Sun'sย Jay Clark, the triple-premiership Hawk has settled on Geelong as his free agent destination.
Smith, who turns 32 in December, has been weighing up offers from the Demons and Cats, whileย Hawthorn were keen to re-sign him.
But the unrestricted free agent reportedly "wants to play for" Geelong and will finalise talks with the three clubs today.
The Hawks confirmed in a statement on Friday morning that Smith would depart the club.
โIssieย has been a part of a lot of success during his time at Hawthorn and has given our club a decade of valuable service,โ Hawks GM of Football Graham Wright told the club website.ย
โAs an unrestricted free agent, Issie exercised his right to explore the market, thatโs the nature of the mechanism of free agency.ย
โWe wishย Issieย and his family all the best inย theirย next chapter.โย
According toย AFL Media'sย Mitch Cleary, the wingman will join the Cats on a two-year deal, while the Hawks will receive a third-round draft pick as compensation.
Hawthorn to receive third-round compensation pick for Isaac Smithโs move to Geelong @AFLcomau @traderadio
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 30, 2020
Smith has played 210 games for Hawthorn after making his AFL debut in 2011.
Geelong are also expected to lodge a free agency bid for free agent Giant Jeremy Cameron today, while Kangaroo Shaun Higgins is likely to make his way to the Cattery during the trade period.
AFL free agency officially opened on Friday morning.
