Geelong used Bailey Smith as secret weapon in final pitch for Zak Butters

Geelong deployed Bailey Smith as an unexpected bargaining chip in their final pitch for free agent Zak Butters, a tactic that pushed the Cats into favouritism to secure the star. 7NEWS Sport reported the club unleashed the ’ace up their sleeve’ in the closing stages of the recruitment push. The move shifted momentum towards Geelong and made them the frontrunner to land Butters, according to the report. The club’s late strategy change was credited with altering perceptions among decision-makers and market watchers. No further details about the pitch, conditions or outcomes were provided in the report.