Bailey Smith says he will face Port Adelaide after training away from main group at Cats session
Question marks were raised over Geelong star Bailey Smith after he was seen in deep conversation with coach Chris Scott. But the star was quick to allay the fears of Cats fans and SuperCoaches.
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Bailey Smith insists he will face Port Adelaide on Sunday after spending Geelong’s light session on Tuesday jogging away from the main group and speaking with Cats staff on the sidelines.
Smith, 24, spoke with Cats figures including coach Chris Scott on the wing at GMHBA Stadium and appeared to tap his hamstring twice while chatting with Scott.
But after the session Smith himself responded to a social media post from SuperCoach AFL about his lighter session, allaying fears of Cats fans by commenting, “im [sic] playing”.
The ball-magnet had his groin and hip worked on before walking out onto the field as his teammates were completing drills.
Smith then jogged a lap and continued to run back and forth along the outer-side boundary away from media by himself.
Smith then returned to the sidelines after 10 minutes of running and went off to sign autographs and get photos with a small group of Cats fans watching on.
The Cats expect Smith to play against the Power and he was not listed on the club’s injury report on Tuesday afternoon.
In more positive news, premiership trio Jake Kolodjashnij, Mitch Duncan and Cam Guthrie are set to return from injury in the VFL after Geelong’s state league bye this week
Kolodjashnij has battled back and groin concerns this season and is yet to play a senior game this season, with the reliable defender to play managed minutes in round 20 of the VFL.
Duncan is recovering from recent shoulder surgery, while Guthrie — who hasn’t played an AFL game since round 10, 2024 — has been sidelined with a calf.
Out of favour forward Ollie Henry has entered concussion protocols after a head knock in the VFL over the weekend and could be available after Geelong’s VFL bye if he clears protocols.
Smith appeared unaffected on Saturday night as he amassed 43 disposals, 23 contested possessions and 13 clearances in a against North Melbourne.
He also engaged in a cheeky exchange with a North Melbourne supporter over the fence during his dominant display.
The prolific midfielder has been a late withdrawal on three occasions this season.
He missed their loss to St Kilda in round two with a calf complaint, sat out their win over Gold Coast with hamstring tightness, and was withdrawn before their clash with Richmond in round 17 due to illness.
Geelong will complete its main training session of the week on Thursday.
The Cats will have a short turnaround after the game against Port as they prepare to host Essendon the following Friday at GMHBA Stadium.
Originally published as Bailey Smith says he will face Port Adelaide after training away from main group at Cats session
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