Smith doesn’t train, coach expresses pride for star Cat
Oliver Caffrey and Anna Harrington |
Geelong coach Chris Scott has expressed his pride for Bailey Smith following the Cats star’s raw mental health revelation.
Arguably the most recognisable player in the AFL, Smith used his All-Australian acceptance interview last week to open up on checking himself into a mental health facility in 2024.
The 24-year-old’s brave disclosure again drew attention to the mental health of sportspeople.
“I don’t subscribe to the theory that everyone should feel compelled to talk about their deepest, darkest secrets, or their sexuality for that matter,” self-confessed private person Scott said on Thursday ahead of Geelong’s qualifying final against the Brisbane Lions.
“But if they choose to, then that’s great.
“We should be open enough to at least listen to it.
“What I do have a strong opinion on is how proud I am, and we are, of the journey that he’s been on.
“It’s only it’s been less than a year with us, but he’s just been outstanding in every way.
“We knew we were getting a personality, so he’s ticked that box, but it is interesting to the rest of the world to hear about some of the things that he’s had to endure that we’ve known about for a long time.
“I don’t think that just because Bailey’s chosen to speak that there should be a burden on other people to talk about their private lives as well.”
Smith wasn’t part of Geelong’s captain’s run when media were allowed into GMHBA Stadium for a 15-minute period.
But Scott insisted there was no concern over the midfielder ahead of the blockbuster clash at the MCG.
“He just tries to avoid you guys as much as possible … except when he doesn’t, so it’s a bit hard to work out,” Scott said.
“But I didn’t see you guys out there either, and I’m fine.”
Geelong were incensed when footage was broadcast of Smith having a discussion with Scott during a training session in July.
Scott later said: “If they keep doing that stuff, we won’t let them in, because it was so misleading, the way that was reported.”
Lions coach Chris Fagan also applauded Smith for his honesty.
“I hear various members of the media saying players’ salaries should be public knowledge and all that sort of stuff,” Fagan told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday.
“Can you imagine the amount of pressure that puts on players – even more pressure than they’ve currently got?
“It’s a highly public sport that we play, it’s analysed to death, there are plenty of people out there on social media who say whatever they want to say and that puts an enormous amount of pressure on players.
“We have to respect the fact that sometimes the players don’t cope and it leads to mental health type of issues.”
With just one player officially named on their injury list – ruckman Toby Conway – Geelong go into a rematch of last year’s preliminary final in top shape.
But veteran ruck Rhys Stanley failed to train on Thursday and will miss the match, with towering forward Shannon Neale to return from suspension.
The Cats will back in Mark Blicavs and defender Sam De Koning to handle the ruck work.
Irishman Mark O’Connor has been recalled, along with young midfielder Jhye Clark, who has often had tagging jobs on Lions co-captain Lachie Neale.
After missing three games with a quad injury, Neale will return alongside Jarrod Berry (shoulder).
Bruce Reville and James Tunstill are the unlucky Lions to miss out.
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