AFL 2025: Geelong coach Chris Scott backs first-year recruit Bailey Smith

Geelong coach Chris Scott was quick to defend his star midfielder Bailey Smith in his first press conference since grand final day.

Bailey Smith has been great for Geelong. Picture Lachie Millard

Geelong coach Chris Scott has labelled the recruitment of Bailey Smith an “outrageous success” as he defended his midfielder’s post-season antics.

Smith caused a stir with his social media posts on the Cats’ trademark Mad Monday celebrations, prompting sanctions and a written AFL warning.

It was far from the first piece of controversy attached to Smith this year, including abusing a photographer and giving it back to vocal supporters.

Scott accepted Smith had not been perfect but repeatedly hailed him as a success.

“If you separate out the off-field issues, that is probably the best way to describe it, and we think through how the last 12 months have gone with Bailey, it has been an outrageous success,” he said.

Bailey Smith has been great for Geelong. Picture Lachie Millard

“Outrageous. Not perfect. But if you were privy to some of the information with a whole range of players, I think it is likely that is going to be a similar sort of description.

“Some bits have gone really, really well and there are other bits we sort of have to nudge and manage a little bit, but that is all it is. It is a nudge here or there.

“I refuse to buy into the idea there is some serious or major work to be done. I don’t think that is true.”

Smith’s post about Caroline Wilson was after fellow midfielder Max Holmes dressed as the veteran journalist.

Scott assumed “good intent” with Holmes but said he needed to think harder about his decision.

“I think that is what these sort of things are … they did tell me that Max had dressed up as a journalist, is this the third year in a row?” he said.

Max Holmes, dressed as Caroline Wilson, with Bailey Smith on Mad Monday. Picture: Instagram

“The way I tend to approach life is I assume good intent and it would be helpful if other people do as well, but you know that is not always the case.

“This is one where I assume good intent. But sometimes you can be well intentioned and try to make a gag that either falls flat or crosses the line.

“I think the real issue is when it comes at the expense of someone else, you should think hard about it and that is probably what we are talking about.”