Outgoing Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith could re-enter next month's National Draft next month if a deal can't be struck with Geelong.
Smith - who sat out the entire 2024 season due to an ACL injury - has largely known of his desire to join the Cats for the better part of 12 months and will exit Whitten Oval after 103 games.
Negotiations between the two clubs have hit plenty of snags in the road, with Geelong's offer and first pick in the 2024 draft coming at Pick 17.
However, the likelihood is that the Cats' selection will be pushed out to the 20s due to father-son and academy bids, which is something the Dogs are haggling over.
In the event a trade cannot be agreed upon, Smith is every chance to walk to the National or pre-season drafts, which is a rare occurrence.
Former St Kilda and Collingwood player Luke Ball lived that exact fate in 2009, with the two contenders failing to reach an agreement, despite Pick 25 offered by the latter.
After much discussion, including mediation from the AFL, the 2010 premiership player was walked to the draft and nominated in the National Draft.
Collingwood selected Ball with Pick 30 in the 2009 crop but didn't remember the time "fondly".
"It's not a time I reflect on fondly, it's challenging," Ball said onย SEN.
"I think we probably underestimate or are flippant about the emotional toll it could take on a player and their family.
"It was a long wait. It is a mental battle. It was like being 17 and 18 again. You put a lot of faith in your managers, but there is still that thought it mightn't happen."
At the time of the trade, Ball's prospective move to the Pies wasn't assisted by free agency and future-pick swaps, making it harder to broker moves with rival clubs.
"Firstly, back in '09, there was no free agency, so that takes a lot of angst and heartache out of the deal," Ball added.
"I think players generally would like to see the clubs they started at fairly compensated, and St Kilda not receiving anything didn't sit well with me.
"They (Collingwood) were reluctant in dealing with any players, and there wasn't any future pick option."
The clock on the 2024 Trade Period is quickly ticking down, with the deadline of 7.30 pm (AEDT) on Wednesday night looming.
Smith's current contract expires at the end of October, meaning the Bulldogs wouldn't receive any compensation.
This is where Geelong hold the advantage in the negotiations, who put forward Pick 17 in exchange for the 23-year-old.
The Cats do run the risk of a rival club snapping Smith up in the draft, as well as the "emotional toll" that Ball touched on.
