Letting his hair down! AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith downs shots at a Bondi bar and chats up two attractive women after announcing his trade request from Western Bulldogs

AFL star Bailey Smith has been letting his hair down in Sydney after recently asking the Western Bulldogs for a trade .

The footballer, 23, enjoyed a wild evening out in Bondi on Thursday.

Newly-single Bailey was seen drinking cocktails and shots with friends at popular Bikini Bar surrounded by a bevy of women.

The AFL superstar wore a blue shirt and loose-fitting denim jeans and his trademark blond mullet was perfectly coiffed.

He completed his look with white sneakers with black and orange detailing.

The group then walked to North Bondi Fish for dinner, where Bailey caught the eye of another two women, whom he chatted to and sipped on one of their drinks.

Last week, Smith officially told the Western Bulldogs club he wants to be traded with the likes of Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood who are said to be interested in securing his services next season .

Bailey, who starred during the Bulldogs' run to the 2021 grand final, was forced to sit out the entire 2024 campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at training in December .

His future has been a constant talking point, with it becoming clearer the longer the season went on that he wanted out of Whitten Oval.

As the Bulldogs began exit meetings on Monday following last Friday night's elimination final defeat to the Hawks, the club confirmed Smith asked to be traded.

'Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith has informed the club of his desire to seek a trade this off-season ,' a statement read on Monday.

'The 23-year-old is yet to nominate a preferred club.

'Given Bailey's immense talent, age and proven ability to influence games, the club will work diligently to ensure it is fairly compensated throughout the process.'

Smith has played 103 AFL games since being drafted by the Bulldogs in 2018.

Experts believe he's most likely to end up at Geelong, but if he does, controversy could be waiting for him.

Should the Cats sign him to play under coach Chris Scott, Smith's ambassador deal with Cotton On will be heavily scrutinised given the clothing label is also the AFL club's major sponsor.

Veteran AFL journalist Jon Ralph questioned how potential third-party deals for Smith could play out given he has been an ambassador since 2022 and is 'a brand himself, plus a social media influencer'.

Jay Clark, Ralph's colleague at Fox Footy, added the AFL would 'want to see consistency in previous earnings' compared to what what Smith could potentially earn under new contract arrangements at Geelong.

Smith made his AFL debut for the Bulldogs in 2019 against the Swans and quickly forged a reputation as one of the competition's elite midfielders due to his athleticism.

It comes after Smith quietly separated from his girlfriend Gemma Dawkins earlier this year.

Smith first confirmed their romance in May 2022 and they made their public debut as a couple on the 2023 Derby Day in Melbourne.

The private couple have kept their relationship relatively under wraps ever since, but are now believed to have gone their separate ways.

They appear to have unfollowed each other on Instagram and Bailey last shared a photograph with Gemma in February during a romantic trip to New York.