Inside the rise of Gold Coast star Bailey Humphrey ahead of game 50

An ‘unnecessary’ call heaped pressure on Bailey Humphrey. But after a difficult period, the gun youngster has hit his stride in Damien Hardwick’s system.

With great power comes great responsibility and in the case of Gold Coast young gun Bailey Humphrey, finding the line between licence to thrill and playing a role has taken some time.

But the explosive 20-year-old mid-forward has now hit his stride in Damien Hardwick’s system, compiling the best four-week stretch of his fledgling career in the lead-up to his 50th AFL match on Saturday against St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.

The hybrid mid-forward role that Hardwick envisaged for Bailey last season has come to life in 2025, with the 2022 first round draft pick averaging more than 20 disposals, 400 metres gained and eight score involvements over the past month.

“He’s been in the system now for three years and he’s been growing as a player,” teammate Nick Holman said of Humphrey.

Bailey Humphrey is living up to the hype. Picture: Getty Images

“I saw in pre-season he had a real drive to get better and continue to improve his game. He has always had that power and ability to win the ball … (now he is) becoming a better footballer, learning more about the game and how to play AFL.

“I’m sure this is just the beginning. We’re going to see a lot more excitement from him.”

Excitement is exactly what Humphrey brings to a Gold Coast forward line that is humming so far this season, averaging more points per game than any team other in the competition.

His turn and burn goal from on the 50m arc in last Thursday’s narrow win over Hawthorn in Darwin even had Hawks great Cyril Rioli applauding from the sidelines.

Bailey Humphrey even managed to impress Cyril Rioli with this goal 👏#AFLSunsHawks | #AFLDeadlypic.twitter.com/Ge9BVWnzJ9

— AFL (@AFL) May 15, 2025

The boy from Moe in country Victoria hit the AFL like a freight train in 2023, earning a rising star nomination in his sixth game and declaring himself a star of the future the following week with a breakout 26 disposals and goal against Brisbane in his first-ever QClash.

The Suns were so convinced of their rookie’s potential that they put a four-year contract extension in front of him after just 11 games, tying him to the club until the end of 2028.

Hardwick’s arrival ahead of the 2024 season heralded an exciting period at the Suns and expectation fell on Humphrey to take the next step in his development after a breakout debut season.

Saddled with comparisons to Richmond’s living legend Dustin Martin by his new coach, Humphrey endured an up-and-down sophomore campaign that saw him boot five goals against Geelong in Darwin but also be subbed off three times in the first 10 games.

Player and coach would later agree the comparisons to Martin added unnecessary pressure on Humphrey’s shoulders – even if they came from the right place.

He later admitted to struggling with the idea of living up to Hardwick’s praise and worrying that he might be letting his teammates down by not winning games off his own boot each week.

“He’s put a lot of work into the mental side of his game,” Holman said of Humphrey.

“He does get down on himself, because he has high expectations, but I think that is a good thing. He probably thinks he’s going worse than he is.

Humphrey slots a goal against Sydney

“We just have to keep reassuring him that he’s doing his job and that he is a really good player. But we still want him to have those expectations and keep reaching for the stars.”

Armed with a clearer picture of his role in the side, and another AFL pre-season under his belt, Humphrey looks to have overcome the mental blocks that troubled him last year.

And in just 49 games he has evolved into one of the most damaging players in the competition. Humphrey is the No. 13 player in the competition this year according to AFL Player Ratings – up from No. 213 in 2024.

His seven goals in nine games has him on track to shatter his previous career-best output of 14 from last season, all the while splitting his time between the forward line and on-ball rotation.

Humphrey said his increased midfield minutes had helped keep him involved in matches, whereas in previous seasons he could sometimes feel iced out of games being in the forward line when the ball was not making its way to him.

The Suns star is finding more of the ball in the middle. Picture: Getty Images

“Grigga (assistant coach Shaun Grigg) has been giving me a little bit more midfield time which is nice. It’s helping me out a bit,” he said.

“Obviously it’s taken some time. I probably didn’t expect to come in and play full-time mid.

“Thanks to Noah (Anderson), Touk (Miller) and Rowelly (Matt Rowell). They have welcomed me with open arms in there and they trust me, which is nice. I’m just trying to build that trust and keep doing my role.”

Humphrey and second-year Sun Will Graham’s increased on-ball workload has allowed the aforementioned starting trio to work forward more often this season and further impact the scoreboard.

In particular, vice-captain Miller has excelled, booting 11 goals from nine games – already a career-best figure over a single season.

“Obviously they have taken most of the load for the last couple of years while I have been here. Now it’s my turn to do my bit and make sure they are not having to do so much and they can just play with freedom, and when I go in there they can rely on me to do my bit,” Humphrey said.

Originally published as Inside the rise of Gold Coast star Bailey Humphrey ahead of game 50