New Geelong recruit Isaac Smith went with his head over his heart in deciding to leave Hawthorn for their fierce AFL rivals.
The triple-premiership winger joined the Cats as an unrestricted free agent on a two-year deal on Friday, with the Hawks receiving a third-round compensation pick (currently No.42) in return.
The opening day of free agency proved a busy one, with Brisbane officially lodging a contract offer for wantaway Bomber Joe Daniher and Carlton submitting the paperwork for GWS dasher Zac Williams.
Hawthorn were keen to keep Smith while Melbourne were also in the race for his services, but the 31-year-old was keen to finish his career at Geelong for lifestyle reasons.
“It’s been a very difficult decision, incredibly hard and (I) probably had a few sleepless nights over the last three or four nights to be honest,” Smith told reporters on Friday.
“The heart was certainly pulling me towards Hawthorn but in the end the head won and I’m up for a new challenge, a new journey and I’m very excited to be part of the Geelong Football Club.”
Smith played 210 games in brown and gold, including 20 games against fierce rivals Geelong.
He infamously missed a set shot after the siren in a two-point loss to the Cats in the 2016 qualifying final – then missed another seconds before the final siren in a three-point loss in 2017 – and joked he’d already won over Geelong fans as a result.
“To say, I wasn’t a Geelong fan is probably a little bit (of an understatement),” he said.
“Certainly coming up against them, there was a real dislike between the playing groups and the clubs, but the other thing was, there was a hell a lot of respect.
“… I guess I’ve already won them two games of footy – so I’m guessing the fans will be happy.”
The Cats also confirmed on Friday their intention to lodge a contract offer to GWS star Jeremy Cameron.
Brisbane submitted their offer for restricted free agent Daniher late on Friday afternoon and the Bombers have three days to decide whether they will match it and force a trade – a call expected to depend on whether Essendon secure a first-round draft pick as compensation.
GWS are unlikely to match Carlton’s lucrative long-term deal for restricted free agent Williams and are expected to receive a first-round compensation pick.
Fellow Giant Aidan Corr is set to head to North Melbourne after the Kangaroos lodged paperwork for the restricted free agent on Friday afternoon.
Earlier on Friday, Gold Coast secured Adelaide’s Rory Atkins as an unrestricted free agent.
Adelaide received an end-of-second-round draft pick as compensation.
