Bailey Smith did not disappoint, delivering a standout performance. Under his stewardship the Geelong Cats toppled the Western Bulldogs by just 4 points, bringing the scoreline to 20.7 to 16.17 in an epic showdown. That game happened on Saturday. Smith demonstrated the capacity to meet the moment, despite having encountered numerous hurdles in the days prior to tip.
Smith recorded a game-high 33 disposals, along with six clearances and seven tackles, solidifying his role as a key player on the field. Three weeks ago, the 23-year-old central midfielder made headlines with a controversial statement directed at the Bulldogs. That primed T18 vs. T21 to become one of the most hyped matchups in wrestling history. Smith’s fellow Australian and ex-captain, Marcus Bontempelli, was one of many installed in the scoreboard’s shadow, watching closely as the drama unfolded.
Late in the game, when Smith collided with Bulldogs player Tom Liberatore, tempers boiled over and it was pandemonium. Despite his physicality on the field, Smith battled through pain from a shin injury, having received multiple injections to manage the discomfort. He expressed confidence that his pre-game jabs in the media served as “reserve psychology into not giving him any attention.”
As cheesy as it sounds, I felt that I was just so privileged to have that opportunity to be able to compete. It’s just nice playing against these boys,” said Smith after the game. He understood the potential backlash, should the Cats flop. It was a reaction that showed not only his maturity, but his resilience.
Kane Cornes praised Smith’s performance, stating, “Honestly, to play the way that he has after the build-up, there would be a level of anxiety around this; everyone is talking about it.” Cornes further noted, “Every contest he has been involved in he has not flinched,” highlighting Smith’s focus and determination throughout the match.
After the game, former coach Luke Beveridge was intrigued by Smith’s pre-game words, calling it “interesting theatre.” He called out the psychological strategies commonly employed in pressure-packed matchups. Despite the pressure, Smith remained unfazed during his post-match interview, where he downplayed any drama: “Nothing much at all, just standard footy.”
