Bailey Smith didn’t appear for cameras at Thursday’s training session but coach Chris Scott has shut down any speculation over his fitness

Chris Scott and Bailey Smith chat during Geelong’s training session at GMHBA Stadium on May 15, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

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 Brisbane.

“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 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 on Thursday.

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.”

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 – ruck Toby Conway – Geelong goes 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 Greater Western Sydney.

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.