Get To Know: Bailey Smith

Feature

Junior Career  

Smith grew up in East Malvern and played his early football for the East Malvern Knights Junior Football Club.

Xavier College
Smith played football at Xavier College prior to joining the AFL, captaining the team and winning a best and fairest during his stint.  

NAB League
Near the end of his junior football, Smith played for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League throughout 2017 and 2018, prior to being selected in the AFL draft at the end of 2018.

Smith captained the Dragons during his time there, helping to land him on the radar of numerous AFL teams as an exciting young prospect.  

Vic Metro
During 2018, Smith also represented Vic Metro in the AFL Under 18 Championships. In a stellar campaign, Smith won the Vic Metro Most Valuable Player award and made the Under 18 All Australian team.

Smith’s AFL Career So Far

Smith’s AFL career commenced at the end of 2018, when he was selected by the Western Bulldogs with Pick 7 in the National Draft.

Taking no time making an impact, Smith earned his debut in the opening round of the 2019 season collecting eight disposals and laying four tackles against Sydney.

Across the past six years Smith has played 103 games for the Bulldogs, averaging 22.75 disposals per game and booting 44 goals.

2022 was a standout season for Smith, averaging over 29 disposals and six inside 50’s per game while showing an ability to play as an inside midfielder or across half forward.

Unfortunately an ACL injury saw Smith miss the 2024 season but at 23 years of age, his best football is still well and truly ahead of him.

The Trade Deal Geelong Receive Bailey Smith & Pick 45 Western Bulldogs Receive Matt Kennedy & Pick 17 St Kilda Receive Jack Macrae Carlton Receive Pick 38 Where Smith Plays

The main position Smith plays is through the midfield, possessing elite strength and endurance with the ability to impact inside and outside the contest.  

Despite being known as a ball winning midfielder, Smith has also shown that he has the ability to play across half forward or along the wing.

Career Highs CATEGORY CAREER HIGH WHEN  Disposals 43 Round 5, 2022 vs North Melbourne Goals 4 Preliminary Final, 2021 vs Port Adelaide Tackles 14 Round 15, 2019 vs Port Adelaide Inside 50's 10 Round 12, 2020 vs Adelaide Clearances 10 Round 9, 2023 vs Carlton Accolades 4 x AFLPA 22 Under 22 Team (2020 - 2023) NAB AFL Rising Star Nominee - Round 9, 2019 (Against Geelong) Chris Grant Best First Year Player (2019) Other Interesting Facts Started a Bachelor of Business Studies in 2023 Has collaborated with companies like Cotton On and Monster Energy Distinctive presence on social media: Nearly 350,000 Followers on Instagram Involved in the creation of BARRY, a drink product