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<\/p>\nGeelong star Bailey Smith has used his All-Australian acceptance interview to share he spent four weeks in a mental health facility.<\/p>\n
Admitting he had “never said that before”, the Cats midfielder stunned guests at Thursday’s AFL Awards night with raw honesty about his mental health during an on-stage chat with host Mark Howard.<\/p>\n
Smith has previously detailed challenges with depression and anxiety, but said his mental health deteriorated after a knee injury ruled him out of the entire 2024 season.<\/p>\n
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Bailey Smith shared the Champion Player of the Year award with Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson. (Con Chronis\/AAP PHOTOS)<\/p>\n
“It was about a year ago, I got out of a psych ward,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
“I was in Epworth Camberwell for like four weeks, and I got out a couple hours a day, and I spent that training.<\/p>\n
“I went through a really dark time.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t think I’d get to the other side.<\/p>\n
“I’m super grateful to be here through the support of my family, my manager Robbie (D’Orazio), been there through the shocking times.<\/p>\n
“I know it’s just an injury, but until you experience it and have a sense of identity taken away from you, and then go through some teething issues with and moving clubs and outside noise, and still trying to just grow up and rehab a knee.<\/p>\n
“I’m super grateful to be on the other side of it.<\/p>\n
“I wouldn’t change it for the world, but certainly surprised to be where I am.”<\/p>\n
“I’m super grateful to be on the otherside of it, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”<\/p>\n
A powerful message from Bailey Smith as he opens up on the mental and physical challenges he overcame in his recovery from an ACL injury.#AFLAwards<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DTc2reXFDb<\/a><\/p>\n