The Western Bulldogs have offered a two-year extension for injured star Bailey Smith, potentially keeping him at the club until 2027.
AFL journalist Cal Twomey reported the news on Wednesday, highlighting Smith among a host of names the Bulldogs are looking to secure with longterm deals in the near future, including former number one draft pick and the hottest property on the market, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
"The Bulldogs have also put forward a two-year offer to keep Bailey Smith... that'll take him through to free agency at the end of 2026," Twomey revealed on Gettable.
"I think for the moment that'll be out on hold.
"We know Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn have all been linked to Bailey Smith... there's going to be some manoeuvring around that."
Out for the entirety of 2024 with an ACL, Smith's signature has been a highly coveted commodity since speculation arose over an alleged falling out of favour at the Bulldogs.
While neither party has confirmed these rumours, there is a growing belief around the AFL that Smith is poachable, a belief that will only heat up the longer this deal remains unsigned.
Clubs like Hawthorn or Collingwood may look to go beyond this offer with a lengthy deal of their own for the 23-year-old running machine.
His match-winning performances during the 2021 finals series took the league by storm, and his 2022 campaign - averaging 29 disposals and over six inside 50's - showed he can match it with the best mids in the comp for close to a full season.
Many predicted he was ready to explode in 2024, being a contract year, until the devastating news of an ACL rupture in December.
While the setback halts his career progression for this season, his market value shouldn't dip, being a 23-year-old with a clear dedication to his fitness.
For the Dogs, their primary focus seems to be the signature of Ugle-Hagan, who is rumoured to potentially attract 10+ year offers from rival clubs.
He and Tim English remain unsigned beyond this season, with the latter said to be pondering a move back to home state Western Australia, joining the West Coast Eagles.
While the Bulldogs management juggles the contracts of their three star players, coach Luke Beveridge will be looking no further than this Sunday, when his side take the field against a red hot Suns outfit to notch their first win of the season and temporarily alleviate the pressure on his shoulders.