HAWTHORN star Isaac Smith has laughed off reports that he will be targeted by the Western Bulldogs, insisting he will stay with the Hawks.
According to The Age, the Hawthorn vice-captain and Gold Coast star Jack Martin head the cashed-up Bulldogs' hit-list, with Smith's close relationship with Dogs coach Luke Beveridge, previously an assistant coach at Hawthorn, seen to be critical.
However, the pacy, long-kicking wingman, 30, is committed to fulfilling his contract with Hawthorn, to whom he is tied until the end of 2020
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"I had a bit of a laugh, really," Smith told RSN radio on Wednesday morning.
"I haven't heard anything about it.
"I'm sure every team out there has players that they want to try and get at the end of the year. That certainly has nothing to do with the player or individual involved.
"I haven't even thought about ringing my manager about it. I don't really see it as a big deal, really. It's rumour and innuendo, and I've got nothing to do with it.
"I'm sure I'll have a joke about it with 'Clarko' (Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson) at some stage.
"I'm happy at Hawthorn. I'm contracted at Hawthorn to the end of next year so I want to stay at Hawthorn."
Smith is hoping to return in the big clash with Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night after being sidelined for three weeks with a foot injury.
"I trained well yesterday (and) pulled up well this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to play this weekend," he said.
"It was the first game I've missed in five years so (it has been) a little bit different but, in saying that, it was quite nice to just have a couple of weeks off in the middle of the season and just reset myself and reset my mental state to attack the second half of the year."
