Geelong tall Sam De Koning says club will back in Bailey Smith after latest incident
Bailey Smith has drawn the ire of the Western Bulldogs and their superstar skipper, but teammate Sam De Koning has backed in the star. And he is open to a move back into the ruck.
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Geelong tall Sam De Koning says the Cats are indifferent to Bailey Smith’s string of reactive incidents and the club will support him 100 per cent, as the defender revealed he would love the challenge of returning to the ruck after Rhys Stanley’s injury.
Smith drew the ire of the Western Bulldogs and their superstar captain Marcus Bontempelli after his cheeky Ballarat jab at his former club after Geelong’s thrilling win over Collingwood on Saturday.
Bontempelli responded that “There is less people to flip the bird to” in Ballarat, with Smith then posting a story to his 363,000 followers with the location tagged at Torquay cafe ‘The Salty Dog’.
It came after the flamboyant recruit was fined twice in consecutive weeks for flipping the bird at the crowd along with another financial sanction for shoving the ball into Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey’s face.
De Koning conceded that Smith is unpredictable but he has the full support of the club.
“We know who ‘Baz’ is as a person and as a player, and he adds that little bit of kind of flair, and you don’t know what he’s going to say,” De Koning said.
“So we’re not for or against it particularly, but we will support ‘Baz’ 100 per cent and he’s been playing great footy.
“We love him as a person, as a player, and he’s part of our team now, so we’ll support him 100 per cent.
“We’re here to support him, and whatever that means - to help him play good footy and help him play aggressive footy for our team and win the ball back for us - is what we want.”
Smith put in another sparkling performance against Collingwood and De Koning said his strong form is a credit to his work ethic.
“It’s unbelievable what he’s doing for us, he’s just slotted in perfectly, and he just attacks it like kind of nothing I’ve really ever seen before,”
“His dedication and his preparation is second to none, and the hard work’s showing off. And we’re just really proud of him and happy for him.”
De Koning, 24, has returned to his breakout 2022 form after being swung from the ruck into defence in round four.
Utility Mark Blicavs – De Koning’s “ultimate role model” replaced Stanley in the ruck after he went down on Saturday night and De Koning hasn’t attended a centre bounce since round four.
Blicavs also rucked against Toby Conway in a light match simulation drill at Cats training on Tuesday while De Konign remained in defence.
After starting the season as Geelong’s No.1 ruckman, De Koning said he would relish returning to the role despite his strong form as a key back.
“I love the challenge of anything Scotty throws my way. I just want to be that player who can play in different positions and play well for the team and help the team,” De Koning said.
“So if I get the tap on the shoulder and that’s in the ruck, I’ll put my best foot forward and try and play well for the team.
“We haven’t worked through (my role) quite yet. It’s early in the week, so we’re still not sure what the severity of his injury is, and we’ll work through that during the week and see what happens.”
De Koning has battled injury and form over the past two seasons, and the 204cm talent said he is pleased to be back at full fitness and performing well.
He has taken nine intercept marks in the past two weeks.
“(Confidence is) what it’s all about, I guess, just backing myself in and knowing my strengths and just really attacking and going for my brand of footy and trying to win the ball back for the team.” De Koning
“Happy to be playing consistently for the team and trying to work for the team, and help us win games.
“Obviously last two seasons has been kind of riddled with injuries and haven’t really been able to string too many games together, so it’s just been amazing to have a 100 per cent healthy body and be able to attack the season and feel really fit and ready to go.”
De Koning older brother Tom has been linked to a move to St Kilda, with Carlton taking on the Saints on Friday night.
Sam expects another big game from the Carlton ruckman.
“Tom’s playing good footy at the moment, so I’m sure he will put another good game together,” Sam said.
“But I don’t really talk to him too much about that (contract) sort of side of things. We kind of just hang out and surf and just relax and just be brothers.
“So I’m sure he’ll fire up for a big game, as he usually does, and I’m sure he’ll play well.”
Originally published as Geelong tall Sam De Koning says club will back in Bailey Smith after latest incident
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