Hawthorn will pursue Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith should he request a trade away from Whitten Oval this off-season.
7NEWS understands the Hawks are among the clubs to have registered a keen interest in the 22-year-old.
Smith, a Hawks diehard before he was drafted to the Bulldogs, is set for his scheduled exit meeting with the club on Tuesday.
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The former No.7 pick has one year remaining on his contract with the Western Bulldogs for 2024.
The Hawks have shown an aggressive approach to rebuild under coach Sam Mitchell and will be out to entertain an offer for Smith should he express a desire to leave the Kennel.
Mitchell’s side is currently armed with picks 3, 29 and 48 at this year’s national draft.
Smith is yet to provide any undertaking that he will request a trade, however rival clubs remain on high alert as to his movements ahead of October’s trade period.
The Western Bulldogs remain adamant Smith will not be traded.
“(We) obviously always understand the interest in someone with Bailey’s profile, he’s contracted for next year, so as far as we’re concerned, that’s that,” CEO Ameet Bains told 7NEWS on Saturday before the Dogs’ finals game of the season.
The Dogs held a similar line on Josh Dunkley at the end of 2021 and refused to trade the then-contracted midfielder despite his desire to move to Essendon.
Dunkley got his wish to leave the club 12 months later upon falling out of contract, landing at Brisbane.
Geelong is another club that has consistently been linked to Smith throughout 2023. Cotton On is a key sponsor of the Cats and a personal sponsor of the young midfielder.
After a breakout 2021 finals series and impressive 2022 campaign, Smith’s form has fluctuated throughout this season.
Making his name as a midfielder, Smith has been asked to play various roles throughout the Dogs’ disappointing year, including as a forward.
Smith missed the Dogs’ final game of the season against Geelong on Saturday through gastro.
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