Hawthorn triple-premiership winger Isaac Smith has departed the Hawks and will join grand finalist Geelong as an unrestricted free agent on a two-year deal.

The Hawks confirmed Smith, 31, would depart after 210 senior matches with the club, a stint that included playing a crucial role in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 premierships.

Hawthorn was keen to keep Smith, while Melbourne was also in the race for his services before Geelong won out.

“Issie has been a part of a lot of success during his time at Hawthorn and has given our club a decade of valuable service,” Hawthorn football general manager Graham Wright said in a statement.

“As an unrestricted free agent, Issie exercised his right to explore the market, that’s the nature of the mechanism of free agency.”

Geelong’s recruiting and list manager Stephen Wells said Smith would be a valuable addition to the Cats squad, who will be looking to rebound from their grand final loss to Richmond.

“Isaac has enjoyed great success at Hawthorn and we see him being a key player for us in the coming seasons,” he said.

“Isaac’s decision sees us strengthen our list and we are pleased to have concluded this on the opening day of the free agency period.”

Greater Western Sydney’s Zac Williams is one step closer to joining Carlton, with the Blues lodging paperwork for the restricted free agent with the AFL on Friday.

Williams, 26, expressed his desire to join the Blues in September after 113 matches for GWS.

The free agency window opened on Friday morning, with Gold Coast kicking off proceedings by lodging a contract offer to Adelaide’s Rory Atkins.

As an unrestricted free agent, Atkins can join the Suns immediately, with the AFL confirming the Crows will receive an end-of-second-round draft pick as compensation.

Atkins played 101 matches for Adelaide, including the 2017 grand final loss, but made just four AFL appearances this season.

AAP/ABC



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