Geelong recruit Bailey Smith thanks former club and fans, explains reasons behind move

Bailey Smith has opened up on why he chose Geelong and thanked his former club. But he also had a pointed message for his detractors. Plus, he speaks for the first time as a Cat.

Geelong recruit Bailey Smith has thanked the Western Bulldogs, their fans and detractors “praying on (his) downfall”, admitting that it has been the most difficult year of his career.

Smith became a Cat in the final minutes of the trade period via a four-team deal that saw the Cats give up pick 17 and 38 in exchange for Smith and pick 45.

Smith said on Thursday that he is “fully fit, firing and ready to go” after his ACL rupture in December last year and is set to return for the first day of Geelong’s pre-season with the first-to-four year players.

The 23-year-old posted to his 347,000 Instagram followers that he would be forever grateful for the Western Bulldogs.

He referenced the backlash he has been subjected to on social media from Bulldogs supporters but said they will “always have a place in my heart”.

“Feels like yesterday I was drafted to the club of my dreams. It will forever be one of the best days of my life. I can’t thank the @westernbulldogs enough for being my rock & having my back through both the best & worst times,” Smith said in an Instagram post.

“As we know people evolve + change & through my pursuit of searching for fulfilment / purpose, the decision to leave the kennel + Melbourne in general, felt right.

“Regardless of what narrative you wish to believe or what your take on me as a person is, just know that the bulldogs faithful will always have a place in my heart… from bevo (Dogs coach Luke Beveridge), bont (Marcus Bontempelli) & the boys to the loyal fans in the cheer squad rocking up week in week out.

“Thanks for taking me in as a fresh faced 18 year old & helping me along my journey. I’ll forever be grateful and will do you proud in this next chapter as you’ve played such a pivotal role in my footballing & personal life.

“I can say, without a doubt, it’s been the most difficult year I’ve experienced & one day I’ll have the courage to open up about it, but for now, I’m gonna put my head down & do what I do best - get to work.

“To those praying on my downfall, thank you.”

Smith said he was at the park watching the sunset as his tense deal was going down and described being a Cat as “surreal.”

On his first day as a Geelong player, he said that the club’s renowned balance in its program appealed to him along with their on-field success.

Bailey Smith proudly dons his new Geelong Cats jersey at GMHBA Stadium after being traded from the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday night. Picture: Michael Klein.

“I suppose the talent that was already prevalent in the list and I suppose the future is exciting because it is a successful club and just the way they go about footy and more importantly life, and the balance they have and the people that Geelong breeds,” Smith told Cats media.

“That’s what has drawn me there most. Footy stuff is always amazing and I suppose a lot of people’s number one thing, but it is more the type of people that are within the four walls and just a privilege to get to know them and hopefully add something to what is already an exciting list.

“Very excited, I’ll be moving down eventually later in November when pre-season happens and be a local so that will be fun. Being able to train and go to the beach afterwards will be nice.”

The talented midfielder can’t wait to get stuck into training and pull on the hoops in front of the Geelong faithful.

“I have been on the opposing end of the Cats fans so it will be good to be a part of the family and hopefully do them proud out there,” Smith said.

“I am fully fit and ready to go, so very excited for when day one of pre-season rolls around. I’m itching for it to be honest.”

Originally published as Geelong recruit Bailey Smith thanks former club and fans, explains reasons behind move