Bailey Smith plays first practice match for Geelong in return to footy after ACL injury

Cats assistant James Rahilly said his side’s new superstar recruit Bailey Smith was nervous before running out for the first time in 574 days, while two youngsters have been hyped up.

Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly conceded recruit Bailey Smith was “anxious” ahead of his return to football as he lauded the midfielder’s exciting first game as a Cat.

The Cats’ match simulation clash against Hawthorn marked Smith’s first competitive clash in 547 days, last taking the field in the Western Bulldogs’ win over West Coast in round 23 of 2023.

Smith, 24, dominated the first quarter against the Hawks and played primarily on-ball with time on the wing in the first half, before moving up forward and being rested for the final term.

The man known as ‘Bazlenka’ on Instagram posted to his 347,000 followers post-match that, “a lot has happened in 547 days... just grateful to be here”.

He certainly stood out in the hoops with his flowing mullet and white headband and got involed in a scuffle with Hawthorn captain James Sicily off the ball which saw him earn a free kick after the Hawks defender threw him to the ground.

Rahilly said the former Bulldog’s display was in keeping with his strong pre-season as he emphatically overcame his pre-game jitters.

Bailey Smith in action for Geelong. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“He was anxious like anyone would after having a year out,” Rahilly said.

“So he was a bit anxious coming into the game, but I thought he accounted himself really well and played the way we wanted to play and had a really good hitout.”

He run and carried the ball well, delivered to our forwards and was pretty good around the stoppages as well.

Geelong midfielder Jack Bowes said Cats teammates “got around” Smith and admitted he had some butterflies himself ahead of the contest.

“I think everyone does coming into that first sort of practice match. I mean, personally I did myself – a few butterflies, you’re playing opposition again and going through your game routine,” Bowes told this masthead post-match.

“Obviously hasn’t played footy for a long time so I’m sure there’s going to be nerves there, but I think he handled himself really, really well.

“You couldn’t really tell as a teammate. I think a lot of the boys got around him and supported him and it was just awesome to see him get through unscathed.”

Bowes, who put in a promising performance through the midfield, is excited by what Smith can add to the Cats on-field and says the hard-working ball-winner has fitted in seamlessly off it.

“It was great to have Bailey in there, he is going to be a great player for us. He is so flexible, he is so team orientated, he really just wants to win and get the best out of us as a team,” Bowes said

“And it’s just exciting to see him playing footy again. I mean, having a year off will be tough for anyone and he has handled himself really well coming into the club and has fitted in really well and just excited to see him out there doing the thing he loves.

Jack Bowes said he was stoked with his new teammate. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“He has come in and he is someone who wants to earn the respect of the group but he certainly has already. We just want him to come in and play with freedom and come in and just play the Geelong way.

“He can play wing, mid, throw him around half back as well. He is obviously a good gut runner, runs both ways, defends, attacks, uses the ball well. So he is certainly an asset we can use anywhere and it is exciting for us to get the ball in his hands.”

Rahilly and Bowes both highlighted emerging youngsters Mitch Knevitt and Connor O’Sullivan as the scratch match standouts.

Knevitt was part of Geelong’s first choice midfield group throughout the match and the pre-season standout had plenty of highlights, while O’Sullivan kicked a goal and took Bowes’ eye with his overhead marking.

“Mitch Knevitt has been training really well and sort of showed that I thought through the middle of the ground,” Rahilly said.

“(O’Sullivan) was fantastic, he’s been great through the pre-season. Obviously he’s been able to learn off Sam De Koning, we mentioned Jack Henry, Kolodjashnij, so he’s just been learning off them.

“And I thought he made some real good decisions, especially coming off his man and intercepting, so it was pleasing.”

Bowes believes their strong performances are a testament to their hard work this pre-season.

“It’s just great to see those younger boys that put in so much work over the pre-season see some rewards for effort at this time of year. So I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do this season,” Bowes said.

Mitch Knevitt tries to burst through a tackle on Monday. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“They haven’t done much wrong. Hopefully they get their opportunity (in opening round) and if not, they definitely will throughout the year I’m sure.

“He’s definitely had an awesome pre-season ‘Knev’, hasn’t missed a session, he’s running really well. He works hard both ways which is important for us and he’s just someone that’s looking to improve as well. I thought he was really, really good today.”

Geelong opted to play delisted free agent Jack Martin in their intra-club on Monday evening, but Rahilly said he is ready to go despite being held back this pre-season.

“We have probably slowed him, that has been our decision,” Rahilly said.

“He is ready to go, he has been training really well. He will play there and look to progress from there.”

The Cats are set to field a full-strength line-up for their community series match-up with Essendon next Tuesday.

Originally published as Bailey Smith plays first practice match for Geelong in return to footy after ACL injury