The Western Bulldogs have completed multiple deals in the final minutes of the 2024 Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period, strengthening their draft hand in the process.

A four-way deal involving Geelong, Carlton and St Kilda saw the Bulldogs gain Pick 17 in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft and Matt Kennedy from the Blues, with Bailey Smith departing for the Cats and Jack Macrae joining the Saints.

Caleb Daniel will move to North Melbourne in exchange for Pick 25.

The flurry of late activity mean the Club now holds picks 17, 25, 35 and 48 in next month's Telstra AFL Draft.

Bailey Smith

Smith played 103 games in the red, white and blue after being drafted with Pick 7 in 2018. He was sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season after sustaining an ACL injury in the pre-season.

Bulldogs GM of List Management and Recruiting, Sam Power, wished Smith well with the next chapter of his career.

“Bailey has been a strong contributor for the Western Bulldogs and we thank him for everything he has brought to our Club,” Power said. “He’ll always be a part of the Bulldogs family and we wish him all the best at Geelong.”

Caleb Daniel

Daniel, 28, played 192 games for the red, white and blue and was part of the drought-breaking premiership side in 2016.

A career-best season in 2020 saw the versatile playmaker claim the Charles Sutton Medal and a maiden All-Australian blazer. 

Power thanked Daniel for his enormous impact on the Club across 10 seasons.

“Caleb has been an outstanding contributor to the Western Bulldogs and a much-loved figure inside our four walls,” Power said.

“We respect Caleb’s decision to continue his career at North Melbourne and thank him for his amazing service to our football club.

“Caleb will always be part of the 2016 Premiership side and on behalf of the Club we wish Caleb and his partner Erin all the best for the future.”

Jack Macrae 

Drafted at Pick 6 in the 2012 National Draft, Macrae has played 249 games for the Bulldogs across 12 seasons. 

Macrae was part of the 2016 Premiership team and claimed three All-Australian blazers between 2019 and 2021.

Power praised Macrae for his contribution to the Club.

“Jack has been an integral part of the Western Bulldogs for more than a decade, playing a significant role in our 2016 Premiership and earning appropriate All Australian recognition during his time with us,” Power said.

Matt Kennedy 

Kennedy – a 27-year-old midfielder-forward - began his AFL career at GWS, playing 19 games after being drafted with Pick 13 in 2015.

He was then traded to Carlton during the 2017 off-season, adding 99 matches to his career tally. His contest work is a key strength, as is his versatility. 

Power said he was pleased to welcome Kennedy to the Kennel.

“Matt brings more experience into our midfield, with strong qualities as an inside ball winner,” Power said. 

“At 27, Matt brings a wealth of experience within the AFL system and we expect him to provide a quality option for us from next season."