Matthew Lloyd believes the Western Bulldogs should prioritise re-signing young star Bailey Smith, who comes out of contract in 2022.
Smith, Jack Macrae, Caleb Daniel and Tim English are four big-name Bulldogs who fall out of contract next year.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade, Kane Cornes asked: “How many of those four would you have liked to have stitched up (signed) by say March-April next year to alleviate a lot of speculation about their futures?”
Lloyd replied: “I’d want absolutely all of them … ASAP.
“If I was prioritising and I was the list manager, I’d be going Bailey Smith number one out of that four. Get his signature first.
“We saw what sort of finals series he’s had, he’s young (and) only going to get better.
“I’d go nearly Tim English number two for what he presents at AFL level … I think he’s only going to get better. He’s been a slow developer.
“Then Daniel and Macrae give or take … I think they’ve got the stocks there (to replace Macrae).
“So, I would probably have Macrae four and Daniel three.”
All four players played in the Bulldogs' Grand Final loss to Melbourne last week.
Ball-magnet Macrae finished runner-up in the club’s best and fairest earlier this week.
More in AFL
“This time next year…”: Cornes’ bold pick for his next AFL head coach in waiting
“I think he is the most ready head coach in waiting.”
"It’s the core of a premiership defence": Why the Crunch Time team is bullish on young Geelong duo
SEN's Crunch Time team is bullish on Sam De Koning and Connor O'Sullivan
Dangerfield calls for maturity around restricted free agent discussions
Patrick Dangerfield believes the AFL industry should be more mature discussing player's contracts after Oscar Allen's meeting with Hawthorn