Twist in AFL grudge match, Bulldogs warned against Bailey Smith tactic

Bailey Smith’s former team have been warned not to adopt a tempting tactic when they come up against the Geelong star this week.

Intrigue is building ahead of Bailey Smith’s grudge match against his former side with the star Geelong recruit missing from training on Tuesday.

All eyes will be on Smith when Geelong take on the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night following Smith’s departure from the Dogs last season following his ACL injury.

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Smith has hit the ground running at the Cats and is the second betting favourite behind Nick Daicos for the Brownlow Medal at $5.50 after starting the season at $81. Smith is also second in the AFL Coaches Association award, two votes behind Kangaroos ruckman Tristan Xerri.

Smith’s very pointed swipe at the Bulldogs earlier this month lit the fuse for the grudge match, with Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli returning serve.

The 24-year-old was asked how it felt to be playing in front of such a big crowd at the MCG and he couldn’t help himself after watching his former club thrash Port Adelaide in front of a crowd of 4,814 in Ballarat.

Smith replied with a grin: “Beautiful mate. Not getting that at Ballarat”.

Bontempelli replied the next day: “Very interesting by Bailey. It’s nice to know we’re still on Bailey’s mind and he’s still thinking about us, even at another team.

“In the end, there’s probably a few less people in Ballarat for him to flip the bird to, so maybe that’s why he’s a little bit disappointed.”

Bailey Smith takes on his old team for the first time on Thursday. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

There’s plenty of spice in this grudge match. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

The fiery comments came following reports Smith had checked out of the Dogs last season while he was sidelined with injury, given his move to Geelong in the trade period was signalled months in advance.

All eyes will be on whether Smith is physically targeted by the Bulldogs, but four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis doesn’t expect Dogs hardman Tom Liberatore to try take his ex-teammate’s head off.

“I don’t think so, I think our game is great, but there’s only certain things you can do that can intimidate in our game these days and I don’t think it will rattle him,” Fox Footy expert Lewis told news.com.au.

“I think understanding Bailey’s personality and then certainly understanding a little bit of what the Dogs are about, I would be surprised if they went after him.

“I think that would fuel Bailey’s game and I think Bailey would be preparing himself mentally for that. So sometimes to not engage in the physical side of the game with an ex-player can work well for you.

“Because they’ve prepared all week for it, they think it’s going to happen, then when it doesn’t happen, it sort of puts them in a position of uncertainty.

Bailey Smith has been on fire for Geelong after sitting out all of last season. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“So I wouldn’t (target Smith), that would be my approach. Certainly if he started to play well, there would have to be a change in that approach, but I wouldn’ be doing it from the start.”

Adding to the theatre, Smith didn’t join his teammates at training on Tuesday, instead doing his training behind closed doors.

The Cats will be without superstar veteran Patrick Dangerfield, who is set for a week or two on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

Dogs are legit contenders, primed to break 15-year-drought

Jordan Lewis has seen enough and has the Bulldogs as his premiership favourite ahead of Collingwood and reigning premiers Brisbane.

While Smith has been the recruit of the year so far for Geelong, the Bulldogs have transformed into a top four contender with coach Luke Beveridge expected to sign a contract extension in the coming weeks.

Ninety-point wins over Port Adelaide and Essendon have put rivals on notice, while the Dogs’ four losses have been by an average margin of just 13.25 points.

“I just think they’re stacked in terms of the talent.” Lewis said.

“They’ve got a game plan that allows them to express those talents. They’re great offensively, they’re really sound defensively.

“And they’ve got couple of players out that they’ll welcome back. So you’ve got Sam Darcy, who we think will be back in a couple of weeks, Adam Treloar.

The Western Bulldogs are serious top four contenders. Picture: Michael Klein

“So you’re adding those players to a side that’s already stacked, I think they’re well positioned.”

The Bulldogs have made finals seven times during coach Luke Beveridge’s tenure but on each of those occasions they finished the season in the bottom half of the top eight.

Despite missing Adam Treloar and Sam Darcy and livewire Cody Weightman, who has been ruled out for the season, the Dogs are primed to secure their first top four finish since 2010.

“I know Luke Beveridge well, and he’s a fantastic coach,” Lewis said.

“He’s been a proven winner, and that would just elevate him and this side to have a really good crack at the finals series with a double chance.”

Hawks backed to beat premiers on MCG

Both Hawthorn and Brisbane will be looking to bounce back from narrow losses when the top four fancies face off at the MCG in one of three games exclusive to Fox Footy’s Super Saturday coverage on Kayo.

The Lions have well and truly put their MCG woes behind them but Lewis is expecting Hawthorn to make the most of the home ground advantage and take inspiration for Melbourne’s success in tagging Brisbane defender Harris Andrews.

“I think both teams would be near full strength,” Lewis said.

“Hawthorn will have some inclusions after the game in Darwin. So you would imagine they would welcome back Jack Gunston, Luke Breust, Lloyd Meek into the side. So that just strengthens their side.

Hawthorn take on the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

“I think Hawthorn match up well against Brisbane, to be honest. I mean the area around the midfield, the midfield depth without Will Day certainly takes a hit.

“But I think either end of the grounds and the game being at the MCG, I think Hawthorne would be relatively confident that they compete with the reigning premiers.

“The one person that I would look at in terms of doing a job would be Harris Andrews. We saw the role that Jake Milkshom did last week on him to great effect, so I think a Jack Gunston or Jack Sicily would work quite well in that role.”

Round 11 Fox Footy Super Saturday games (all times AEST)

Carlton vs GWS Giants — 12.35pm

Hawthorn vs Brisbane Lions — 4.15pm

North Melbourne vs Collingwood — 7.35pm

Originally published as Twist in AFL grudge match, Bulldogs warned against Bailey Smith tactic