Bailey Smith’s inaugural year with the Geelong Cats has been marked by both remarkable achievements on the field and a series of controversies off it. Since joining the team, Smith has made headlines for his outstanding performance, yet his behavior has raised eyebrows among fans and officials alike. This is in addition to Smith’s final warning from the AFL’s legal counsel. He is therefore on the hook for future fines or suspension if he fails to rehabilitate his behavior.
In retrospect, during those first twelve months at the Cattery, Smith’s genius matched his vision, laying down creative strokes that not just restored, but brightened Geelong’s competitive luster. His natural talent and skills on the field have drawn rave reviews, including from Geelong’s head coach, Chris Scott. Scott expressed his enthusiasm for Smith’s contributions, stating, “Hopefully it sort of explains a little bit what we think of the world. Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean that I should impose my will on the rest of the players.”
During Smith’s tenure, that success has often been eclipsed by a number of missteps that ignited national outrage. Only a week after that qualifying final win in September, he a verbal tirade on a photographer at a training session. This behaviour, coupled with all other off-field behaviour, resulted in the AFL to respond with a mere warning. Third, they explicitly warned that future imprudent exchanges might lead to discipline.
Scott notably defended Smith during all the draft day scrutiny, focusing on the difference between Xs and Os of Smith’s on-field work and his off-field mischief. “Most controversies, at least from good people, pop up when an attempt at humour falls flat, and I think that’s what these sort of things are,” he remarked. Even the coach admitted that he hasn’t had enough conversations with Smith since the season wrapped up. He respects the players’ privacy and knows that they want to decompress.
Other than this photographer incident, Smith largely became mired in social media spats. He even pointed a directed toward the city’s journalist Mark Robinson during the post-season celebration. Other now-reputable players like Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield were similarly swiftboated based on their off-field conduct. Interestingly, it was Holmes who masqueraded as Wilson during the celebrations—not Smith.
Scott explained that with regards to the team culture, there has been a change in celebration of going post-season. “I’m relieved that Cats players, including Bailey Smith, would no longer be dressing up for Mad Monday,” he stated. This comment is an example of a larger push within the organization to contribute to a greater culture of professionalism and respect.
Whatever obstacles stand in between Smith and his fellow teammates, Scott is still hopeful that they will be able to gel together. He said internal collaboration was key to their team. “There is an expectation that we will work together hopefully as much as possible as peers to continually get better,” he said.
Smith approaches the multidimensional demands of his position with the Geelong Cats every day, both on and off the field. No doubt this tumultuous year will be the best teacher to him. From top to bottom, the club’s management seems focused on providing direction, yet giving players space to develop and evolve into their positions.
