Isaac Smith has ensured this year’s AFL free agency period will begin with a bang, after announcing he’ll leave Hawthorn to join Geelong – their modern-day arch rivals – as an unrestricted free agent.
The Hawks had been keen to retain the 31-year-old and had even broken their policy of only offering 30-year-olds one-year extensions, but the veteran winger today told the club he would cross to Kardinia Park in search of another flag before his time is up. He will sign a two-year deal with Geelong soon.
Melbourne had also been courting the triple-premiership Hawk heavily and had reportedly offered him a three-year deal, but will instead have to look elsewhere for outside midfield support.
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In a statement, Hawthorn’s general manager of football Graham Wright paid tribute to the winger, saying Smith had “been a part of a lot of success during his time at Hawthorn and has given our club a decade of valuable service.
“As an unrestricted free agent, Issie exercised his right to explore the market, that’s the nature of the mechanism of free agency.
“We wish Issie and his family all the best in their next chapter,” he said.
It caps off a busy first morning of player movement, with Rory Atkins officially moving from Adelaide to Gold Coast as an unrestricted free agent, and Carlton officially lodging paperwork to sign Giant Zac Williams.
Bangkokpussey
Roar Rookie
Isaac Smith will be assimilated.... Resistance is futile.
Shane
Guest
Of course 4 of our top 10 in the Carji were all under 28, with another 2 bang on 28, and only 2 over 30 (Hawkins and Danger) - which makes a totally mockery of your initial comment. Let's see how Carlton compare, next year or whenever they get around to their best and fairest.
Shane
Guest
Well it hasn't really worked for any team other than Richmond going by that irrelevant logic either, has it? At least we can write of every single team in the comp next year except the Tigers!
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
This year was the first in you've had a 'shot' at a flag and were found wanting . . . too old and too slow! Hasn't really worked now, has it?
pablocruz
Roar Rookie
Yep. Dad's Army. Out with the young, in with the old. Absolutely smacks of desperation.
Shane
Guest
Lol, as if his kids would want to play for a club whose supporters trash him after his decade of service. And also he probably has a hundred more games left in him, so they will most likely end up at Geelong.
Shane
Guest
Not sure why you are laughing. Made a finals series lately? Carlton aren't a young side. Ok, Walsh and Weitering also. Curnow has no hope of pushing out either Cameron or Hawkins - and then it is daylight to anyone near our best 12. So that is three in total, based on player ratings too. Don't be a hypocrite. Your under 28 youth can barely crack into your middle tier side's top twelve.
Shane
Guest
Lol, Clark will stay and he will get a run. Blicavs won't stay on the wing, especially if Taylor moves on (which will be this year or next). Smith is more likely to be rotated through the midfield via the forward flank position Ablett has vacated anyway. You guys are dreaming.
Shane
Guest
We have apparently been loading up for a last shot at a flag since 2010. With picks in hand, and players like Cameron wanting to live the Geelong life, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Haha. His kids will be playing at the Hawks.
Pedro_Riccardi
Roar Rookie
I’m gutted, surely this means Jordan Clark will want out. After a solid first season, then this year he has ended up behind our interesting rotation of players out on the wing that at times has felt like squeezing in names rather than positional players. His GF Sprint win shows genuine pace from the back line but he also has that confidence to take the game on. Maybe we felt the need to repay Isaac for the miss after the siren in 2016..
sven
Roar Rookie
looks like theyre going all out for the flag in the next year or 2, u would reckon after that a lot of their top players eg selwood, hawkins, danger etc would be close to if not finished
Macca
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Shane
Guest
Hawks supporter showing their class. We welcome Isaac and look forward to his experience and leadership helping our younger blokes develop into premiership players. Once a Geelong player, always a Geelong player.
Shane
Guest
Well that's a loaded question, isn't it? Who, under 28 from the Blues would be in Geelong's top 12? Cripps. That is all.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Must like a bit of insurance those handbaggers - Jack Stevens? I hope their young guys remember this when their next contract comes up.
sven
Roar Rookie
been stated before, theyre certainly loading up on the old blokes ... was surprised when they went for jenkins last year, though maybe he was insurance for hawkins
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Nah.....retirement village going forward :laughing:
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Yeah that would be way over the top for a player who didn’t even get in the wooden spooners top 10 B&F.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
And pick 2 for Brad Crouch....wow!