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.
Geelong boss Chris Scott has spoken of his immesurable pride for Cats star Bailey Smith (pictured)
Smith used his All-Australian acceptance interview last week to open up on checking himself into a mental health facility in 2024
It comes after he and Tammy Hembrow (pictured) seemingly confirmed that they were dating
‘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.’
‘I’m super grateful to be on the otherside of it, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.’
The Geelong star has in recent weeks announced that he has been dating social media influencer Tammy Hembrow.
Rumours have swirled that the Cats midfielder and the Instagram star, who has 17million followers on the social media platform, had been seeing eachother, but the pair seemingly confirmed the news at the end of August.
They published a picture of a Friday night date night. Hembrow stunned in a glamorous pink dress, while the pair sat down for a luxurious meal, that included oysters, steak and french fries.
And now Hembrow has hinted that she could be travelling down to Melbourne to watch her beau play finals footy
And the Instagram star has now hinted that she is travelling down from Queensland for Geelong’s game against the Brisbane Lions on Friday night at the MCG.
Hembrow, who owns a luxury waterfront mansion on the Gold Coast, shared a video clip of herself posing in front of a miror with a suitcase.
She captioned the clip: ‘Quick trip.’
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 under the lights.
‘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 it 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 on their injury list – ruckman Toby Conway – Geelong go into a rematch of last year’s preliminary final in top shape.
Veteran ruck Rhys Stanley failed to train on Thursday amid speculation he is dealing with a hamstring complaint.
Scott failed to disclose any selection information ahead of the teams officially being released on Thursday night.
Forward Ollie Henry is in line for a recall, having not played since the round-18 defeat to GWS.
Henry booted four goals, including the Cats’ only two majors of the final quarter, in the 10-point preliminary final loss against the Lions last year.
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