Locker notes fuel Bailey Smith's Grand Final push for Geelong
Motivational messages found inside the Geelong star's locker add a personal dimension to his pursuit of a first AFL premiership against Brisbane
Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith will line up in his second AFL Grand Final when the Cats meet the Brisbane Lions at the MCG on Saturday, as he chases his first premiership. The 24-year-old returned to AFL this season after missing all of 2024 due to a torn ACL, a setback he has described as one of the loneliest periods of his life. He has since spoken about the mental toll of that injury and disclosed that he sought help during that time.
Revealing a window into his preparation, photographs shared by Smith showed several notes pasted inside the door of his Geelong training-ground locker. The image, posted as part of a Wednesday session, showed lines such as “I am disciplined, I am fearless, I am confident, I am free,” and “I embrace pain, pressure and hardship.” A Snoop Dogg jumper hung from the top of the locker, a detail noted by observers as part of the setup for his weekend game. The locker door appeared to be left ajar in the image, drawing attention from fans and analysts ahead of the Grand Final. In addition to the notes, there has been ongoing public interest in Smith’s personal life, including rumors about a potential relationship with social media personality Tammy Hembrow; Smith has said they are “just friends.”
Geelong has leaned on Smith’s resurgence this season as it reached the final, and his performances have underscored the team’s march to flag contention. He spent much of the year building his form after the ACL injury sidelined him for 2024, and his on-field production has supported Geelong’s run to the penultimate game. Smith appeared at the Brownlow Medal ceremony earlier in the week, where he drew attention for his look and for continuing to elevate his profile as a leader within the Cats’ midfield.
Off the field, Smith has shared a candid view of his rehabilitation. In a late-2024 Instagram post reflecting on his recovery, he described a period in which motivation was scarce and the work was solitary. He wrote that he was “Seven months, 1 week post ACL surgery. No motivation,” and described sessions conducted largely alone while others doubted his return. He added that he kept swimming through the doubt and anxiety, concluding with a promise about the upcoming weekend. The post served to illustrate the personal hurdles he faced along the path back to elite footy.
Smith’s on-field numbers have supported his comeback. He finished the season with a career-high average of disposals per game and recorded 110 tackles over 22 matches, marking his most prolific tackling season to date and reinforcing his central role in Geelong’s midfield engine room. His early-season form helped him claim third place in this year’s Brownlow Medal count and earned him his first All-Australian blazer, underscoring his continued development since his return.
The Grand Final pits Geelong against the Brisbane Lions, the reigning premiers, in a matchup that has drawn attention not only for the on-field stakes but also for the broader arc of Smith’s career. The week has featured media scrutiny of his personal life alongside discussions of his leadership and resilience, all while the team focuses on the tactical demands of the decider. Geelong’s coaches have stressed a measured approach as Smith and the squad prepare to execute a game plan that could culminate in a first premiership since the Cats’ 2011 title run.
Beyond his own story, Smith’s year has included a number of public appearances and moments that have kept him in the national conversation. He posed with AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Dillon at events surrounding the finals and has talked about his readiness for the Grand Final with a focus on maintaining his form under pressure. As the week progressed, Geelong’s players and staff emphasized a steady build toward the decision and the need to execute in critical moments on the day of the game.
Saturday’s game will be held at the MCG, a venue that has long framed the pinnacle of Australian rules football for Geelong. For Smith, the opportunity to add a premiership to a resumed career after a long layoff represents a personal milestone as well as a team achievement. If Geelong can capture the title, it would mark a notable chapter in the midfielder’s relatively brief, high-visibility tenure with the club, one that has already featured a rapid ascent after the injury setback and a renewed sense of purpose heading into this week’s showdown.