Bailey Smith

Bailey Smith
Bailey Smith in a pregame warm up in 2020
Personal information
Full name Bailey Smith
Nickname(s) Bazlenka,[1] Barry[2]
Date of birth (2000-12-07) 7 December 2000 (age 23)
Original team(s) Sandringham Dragons(TAC Cup)/East Malvern Knights (SMJFL)
Draft No. 7, 2018 AFL draft, Western Bulldogs
Debut 23 March 2019, Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney, at Marvel Stadium
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 86 kg (190 lb; 13 st 8 lb)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current club Geelong
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2019–2024 Western Bulldogs 103 (44)
2025– Geelong 0 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 24, 2023.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Bailey Smith (born 7 December 2000) is a professional Australian rules football player for the Geelong Football Club. Smith was recruited by the Western Bulldogs with the 7th draft pick in the 2018 AFL draft, making his debut in the 2019 AFL season. He received a nomination for the 2019 AFL Rising Star award in round 9 of the 2019 season, placing fourth in the overall count at the conclusion of the season. Since then, he has been a four-time member of the 22 Under 22 team, and a recipient of the Chris Grant Best First Year Player Award.

Early life and career

[edit]

Smith grew up in East Malvern played his early career for the East Malvern Knights Junior Football Club in Melbourne's south-east.[3] In 2011, he won the MSJFL under-11 west division best and fairest award.[4][5] He also won a best and fairest with Xavier College while playing in the team in Year 11, and was named as a member of the AIS-AFL Academy.[6] Smith played for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.[7][8] In his 2017 season with the Dragons, he had a very solid year as a bottom-ager, averaging 24.3 disposals and 4 tackles a game.[9] Playing as a half-back,[10] his breakout game with the Dragons came in the eleventh round of the season, where he collected 34 and 5 clearances to help the Dragons to a 49-point victory over the Geelong Falcons.[11] The following week, he again led the team for disposals, collecting 32 disposals in a thrilling 1-point win over the Gippsland Power.[12] In the fourteenth round of the season, Smith was named as the player of the round after he had the best game of his career to that point, totalling 44 disposals, 13 inside 50s and 10 clearances.[13] At the conclusion of the season, Smith was awarded best first year player award after his promising performances.[14]

"I haven’t seen a kid that prepares, trains and recovers as well as him before, he’s had a really strong season across TAC, Xavier & Vic Metro, but the beauty about Bails is he’s always looking for that extra edge, whether it be extra vision or focus points, which makes him really easy to coach."

Jaskson Kornberg, Sandringham Dragons coach[15]

Smith was named captain of Xavier College's first XVIII football team,[5] as well as for the Sandringham Dragons, for the 2018 season. Smith was named the captain.[10][16] However, he would only play two games with the team as a result of an Achilles tendon injury as well as clashing representative and school team commitments.[9] In his first game of the season, Smith had an excellent game, collecting 37 disposals, 7 tackles and 12 clearances to be one of the best on ground.[17] His other game came on 28 April, where he collected 28 disposals against the Western Jets.[18] Smith was also selected to play for Vic Metro in the AFL Under 18 Championships for the 2018 season. He had his best game in the third round of the tournament, where he tallied up 20 disposals and 3 goals[19] in what was close to a best on ground performance.[20][21] He was also named in the team's best in all of the other rounds.[22][23][24] Smith claimed Vic Metro's Most Valuable Player Award,[25] and was named in the Under 18 All-Australian team as a midfielder.[26][27] By the end of the 2018 season, Bailey Smith was touted as a top 10 pick who could be picked up by the Western Bulldogs or the Gold Coast.[28][29] Smith was eventually taken at pick 7 by the Western Bulldogs in the 2018 AFL draft.[30][31]

AFL career

[edit]

2019–2020: Early career

[edit]

When first coming to the club, it was revealed that Smith would inherit the no.6 guernsey from the outgoing Luke Dahlhaus.[32] He missed out on a large amount of the pre-season, as a result of the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in his draft year.[33] Despite this setback, Smith made his AFL debut in the Western Bulldogs' win over the Sydney Swans in the opening round of the 2019 AFL season.[34][35] On debut, Smith collected just 8 disposals and 4 tackles.[36] However, he would improve from there, collecting 13 disposals the next week and 22 disposals the week after that.[37] He earned a 2019 AFL Rising Star nomination in the Bulldogs' Round 9 loss to Geelong, totalling 28 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 5 clearances.[38][39] Smith had a very solid game against Brisbane Lions in round 20, collecting 27 disposals and 4 clearances.[40] He was also named in the team's best in round 21,[41] where he contributed 23 disposals and a goal in the team's 104-point thrashing of Essendon.[42] At the conclusion of the season, Smith finished fourth in the 2019 NAB Rising Star award behind Sam Walsh, Connor Rozee and Sydney Stack.[43] He was also named as the Chris Grant Best First Year Player for the Western Bulldogs.[44] In December 2019, it was revealed that Smith would sign on with the Bulldogs until the end of 2022.[45][46]

Smith had a successful 2020 season in what was to be a season majorly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not miss a single game the entire year, meaning he had played 35 consecutive games.[47][37] In just his second game of the season, he had a solid game to be one of the team's best in what was a disappointing 39 point loss to St Kilda,[48] where he collected 29 disposals, 5 tackles and 2 marks.[49] Smith suffered a concussion early in the Bulldogs' round 5 clash against North Melbourne after being tackled by Shaun Atley,[50] but was named fit to play the following week,[51] continuing his run of consecutive games. Smith stood up in many disappointing losses that year, again being named as the team's best in an dismal 52-point loss to Carlton after collecting 26 disposals and a goal.[52] His efforts in that game saw him collect 1 Brownlow Medal vote despite being on the losing side.[53] Round 8 saw smith be named as one of the team's best[54] while also picking up two Brownlow Medal votes,[53] after being crucial to the Bulldogs' 5-point win over Gold Coast. Smith had his best game for the year in the Western Bulldogs' 57 point victory over Adelaide in the 12th round of the season, where he collected a career-high 37 disposals, as well as 4 marks, 3 tackles and 10 inside 50s.[55] He followed this game up with a best on ground performance the following week which earned him 3 Brownlow Medal votes,[53] tallying 26 disposals and a goal against Melbourne.[56] After the finish of the season, Smith was named ruck rover of the 2020 22 Under 22 team.[57]

2021–2022: Improvement and controversies

[edit]

The 2021 season was to be a season of improvement for Smith, rotating through different positions such as midfielder, wingman and forward. He had a good start to the pre-season, winning the team's running test, a display of his improved fitness.[58] Smith was named as the Bulldogs' best on ground in their win over Collingwood in the opening round of the 2021 AFL season, winning the Bob Rose–Charlie Sutton Medal after registering 35 disposals and 2 goals.[59] He also earned three Brownlow Medal votes as a result of his performance.[60] He also had a solid performance in the team's 128-point demolition of North Melbourne in the Good Friday match in round 3, where he collected 26 disposals to be named one of the team's best players.[61] After a quiet patch of form in the mid-season, Smith began to stamp his presence on games more regularly. In round 15, he had 31 disposals and 2 goals to be best on ground behind the captain Marcus Bontempelli,[62] which earned him two Brownlow Medal votes.[60]

In June 2022, a video surfaced of Smith holding a bag of white powder at a party late in 2021. As a result, Smith issued a statement admitting to possessing an illicit substance.[63] Smith subsequently received a two-match suspension.[64]

After missing the entire 2024 AFL season due to injury, Smith confirmed his desire to be traded at season's end.[65] In October, he officially requested a trade to Geelong, and was traded on the final day of trade period.[66][67]

Statistics

[edit]
Statistics are correct to the end of 2023[37]
Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2019 Western Bulldogs 6 23 11 10 184 222 406 58 93 0.5 0.4 8.0 9.7 17.7 2.5 4.0 0
2020[a] Western Bulldogs 6 18 6 9 190 192 382 30 45 0.3 0.5 10.6 10.7 21.2 1.7 2.5 7
2021 Western Bulldogs 6 26 17 13 354 259 613 97 87 0.7 0.5 13.6 10.0 23.6 3.7 3.3 8
2022 Western Bulldogs 6 17 6 10 285 210 495 63 65 0.2 1.0 19.7 13.3 33.0 5.2 4.5 10
2023 Western Bulldogs 6 19 4 8 230 217 447 62 66 0.2 0.4 12.1 11.4 23.6 3.3 3.5 4
Career 103 44 50 1243 1100 2343 310 356 0.4 0.5 12.1 10.7 22.7 3.0 3.5 29

Notes

  1. ^ The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public image and personal life

[edit]

Smith has a strong presence on social media, with the most followers on Instagram out of all players in the AFL, totalling 364,000 followers.[68] He is also recognised for his distinct mullet hairstyle.[69] Smith is a brand ambassador for the clothing chain Cotton On and drink Monster Energy.[70][71] He collaborated with Cotton On on a clothing collection which was released in September 2023.[72] He has also appeared in advertising campaigns for McDonald's,[73] Kayo Sports,[74] and CoinSpot.[75] In 2023, Smith founded a company called Alter Ego Drinks and launched an alcoholic drinks line called Barry.[76] Barry Drink currently has three flavours, and is owned by Smith with branding partners Charlie Curnow, Reece Walsh, and Josh and Nick Daicos.[77]

Smith has been open about his mental health struggles, with his former teammate Dale Morris being a mentor to Smith, helping him to deal with his struggles.[78][79] In May 2020, Smith took part in the Big Freeze challenge, where the contestants jump into icy water to help raise funds to combat motor neuron disease.[80][81]

Smith has an older brother and younger sister.[82] He is a Catholic.[82][83] In 2023, Smith began studying a bachelor of business.[84]

Honours and achievements

[edit]

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Weird footy nicknames: So why do they call Gov 'Brackets'?". AFL Media. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
  2. ^ Twomey, Callum (28 August 2020). "Being Bazlenka: 'Mr Instagram' on THAT mullet, Tiger King and the Bont". AFL Media. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Bailey Smith visits his local footy club". Western Bulldogs. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  4. ^ East, Malvern JFC (13 September 2011). "U11 Whites Bailey Smith wins SMJFL 2011 Best & Fairest for U11 West Division". Sports TG. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Bailey goes back to where it all began". AFL Victoria. 10 May 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  6. ^ Di Pietro, Kavisha (14 May 2019). "'THIS KID WITH THE LONG, BLONDE MULLET IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING'". AFL Players' Association. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  7. ^ Di Pietro, Kavisha (22 May 2019). "'This kid with the long, blonde mullet is going to be something'". AFLPLayers. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Eight dragons achieve AFL dreams". Sandringham Dragons Media. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Bailey Smith". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  10. ^ a b Bunn, Sam. "Smith sets himself for even greater heights". sandringhamdragons.com.au. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Sandringham Dragons vs Geelong Falcons - Player Stats". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  12. ^ "Gippsland Power vs Sandringham Dragons - Player Stats". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  13. ^ Balmer, Matt (1 August 2017). "TAC Cup Player of the Round: Bailey Smith". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  14. ^ "2017 - Sandringham Dragons" (PDF). sandringhamdragons.com.au. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  15. ^ Balmer, Matt (10 July 2018). "AFL Draft 2018: Possible No. 1 pick Bailey Smith says he isn't satisfied with his season so far". Fox Sports. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  16. ^ McEvoy, Simon (6 August 2018). "Dragons skip Bailey a top prospect". Herald Sun. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
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  19. ^ "Vic Country vs Vic Metro - Player Stats". Aussie Rules Draft Central. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  20. ^ Doerre, Chris (27 June 2018). "AFL Draft Wrap: Bailey Smith the premier mid in this year's class?". espn.com.au. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  21. ^ Guthrie, Ben (24 June 2018). "Metro too strong for Country in battle of Vics". AFL Media. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
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  29. ^ Elliott, Josh (19 October 2018). "AFL Phantom Draft 2018: A very early top 25". The Roar. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  30. ^ Gabelich, Joshua (15 February 2019). "Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli says top draft pick Bailey Smith is one of the best athletes he has seen". Fox Sports. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
  31. ^ Waterworth, Ben (21 November 2018). "AFL draft 2018: Bailey Smith diet, training, running, Gryan Miers, Jack Higgins, Western Bulldogs". Fox Sports. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
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  33. ^ Collins, Ben (20 May 2019). "Limited pre-season, but unlimited potential for Dogs' Rising Star". AFL Media. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  34. ^ Black, Sarah (19 March 2019). "'On cloud nine': Dogs hand No.7 pick a dream debut". AFL Media. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  35. ^ "Smith to debut". Western Bulldogs Media. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
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  40. ^ "brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs - Player Stats". afltables.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  41. ^ Beveridge, Riley (10 August 2019). "Dogs pile on 21 goals in a row to slaughter Bombers". AFL Media. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
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  44. ^ "All The Awards | Charles Sutton Medal". Western Bulldogs Media. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  45. ^ "Smith signs". Western Bulldogs Media. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  46. ^ Naghten, Tom (18 December 2019). "Bailey Smith contract extension: Western Bulldogs young gun re-signs with club". sportingnews.com. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  47. ^ "Baz's big impact continues". Western Bulldogs Media. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
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  50. ^ Zita, David (4 July 2020). "Unsuspecting Bulldog ruled out with concussion after brutal clash in AFL battle". Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  51. ^ "TEAM NEWS | Round 6". Western Bulldogs Media. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
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  54. ^ Whiting, michael (23 July 2020). "Close call: Dogs up to third after eclipsing Suns in nail-biter". AFL Media. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
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  56. ^ "Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne - Player Stats". afltables.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  57. ^ "Dogs duo in 22under22 team". Western Bulldogs Media. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  58. ^ "Smith leads way on day one". Western Bulldogs Media. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  59. ^ Cleary, Mitch (30 March 2021). "Treloar gets the last laugh as Dogs dominate disposals". AFL Media. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  60. ^ a b Laughton, Max (19 September 2021). "Brownlow Tracker: Every vote, every game and the stunning final top 10". Fox Sports. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  61. ^ Cleary, Mitch (2 April 2021). "Bruce boots massive bag in brutal demolition of dismal Roos". AFL Media. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  62. ^ Schmook, Nathan (27 June 2021). "Guns of the west: Hot Dogs dominate Eagles in Perth". AFL Media. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  63. ^ "'Out of control': Western Bulldogs player Bailey Smith apologises over white powder images". Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  64. ^ "AFL suspends Bulldog Bailey Smith for two matches". The Age. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  65. ^ "Bulldogs star requests trade but future remains unclear". AFL Media. AFL. September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  66. ^ "'Stand-off' tipped for Bazlenka deal; fight for Pies forward 'a lot tighter' as call looms — Trade Whispers". Fox Sports. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  67. ^ @AFL_House (16 October 2024). "Four-club trade approved" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  68. ^ Niall, Jake (11 September 2021). "The next-gen kid: Arriving @ Brand Bailey". The Age. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  69. ^ Niall, Jake (2 October 2020). "Smith, the kid with the mullet, learns to relax". The Age. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  70. ^ Jones, Ed (23 March 2022). "Western Bulldogs Star Bailey Smith Named Ambassador For Cotton On". B&T. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  71. ^ Twomey, Callum (14 March 2022). "'It sucks having to do it': Bailey on pre-season break, big 2022 plans". afl.com.au. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  72. ^ Epstein, Jackie (21 September 2023). "Bailey Smith has designed his own range of clothing with the Cotton On Team". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  73. ^ "Macca's Launches Summer Road Trip Campaign Via Gemba". B&T. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  74. ^ "Sports Stars Become Roomies With Their Biggest Fans In New Kayo Sports Campaign". B&T. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  75. ^ Green, Ricki (6 September 2023). "Bailey Smith and his iconic mullet visit the barbershop in CoinSpot's new campaign via TRP". Campaign Brief. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  76. ^ Epstein, Jackie (25 September 2023). "Time On: Tom Browne praises successor Mitch Cleary". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  77. ^ "BARRY launches nationally – AFL stars Bailey Smith, Charlie Curnow, Nick and Josh Daicos and NRL's Reece Walsh ready to drink vodka is here". The National Tribune. 25 September 2023.
  78. ^ Barrett, Damian (1 March 2021). "'I broke down at the club': Bailey's battle with mental health revealed". AFL Media. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  79. ^ Balmer, Matt (1 March 2021). "'I broke down at the club': Bulldogs young gun details mental health battle". Fox Sports. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  80. ^ "Bailey Smith to brave the 'Big Freeze'". Western Bulldogs Media. 27 May 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  81. ^ Waterworth, Ben (4 June 2020). "AFL clubs reveal the 18 stars that'll take the Big Freeze plunge". Fox Sports. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  82. ^ a b Di Pietro, Kavisha (9 January 2019). "Q&A — Bailey Smith". AFL Players' Association Limited. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  83. ^ Gullan, Scott (21 September 2021). "Bailey Smith: Endorsement deals keep coming for Western Bulldogs young gun as star continues to rise". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  84. ^ Campbell, Amy (17 March 2023). "Bailey Smith is ready to play ball". GQ. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
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