{"id":613942,"date":"2026-04-17T23:55:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613942\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T23:55:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T23:55:26","slug":"bailey-smith-calls-for-mental-health-round-in-raw-interview-after-geelongs-win-over-western-bulldogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/613942\/","title":{"rendered":"Bailey Smith calls for mental health round in raw interview after Geelong\u2019s win over Western Bulldogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Geelong<\/a> superstar Bailey Smith has called on the AFL<\/a> to introduce a mental health round after a trying week for the sport.<\/p>\n

The AFL world were rocked earlier in the week by sudden death of Jordan Dawson\u2019s brother Jaryd<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bailey Smith calls for mental health round<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

And mental health was thrust in the spotlight on Thursday night when Carlton young gun Elijah Hollands suffered a \u201cmental health episode\u201d during a close loss to Collingwood.<\/p>\n

Hollands tallied just one kick in the match, but concerning footage emerged of the 23-year-old erratically running around<\/a> and making odd gestures to teammates.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Geelong\u2019s big win over the Western Bulldogs, Smith paid tribute to the Dawson family and Hollands\u2019 situation in a raw interview.<\/p>\n

\"BaileyBailey Smith calls for a mental health round. Credit: Seven<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s one thing I want to touch on, which is maybe out of pocket, but I just want to shout out the Dawson family this week and Elijah Hollands last night,\u201d he told Channel 7.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if I\u2019m out of pocket saying it, but I think it\u2019s about time the AFL get a men\u2019s mental health round.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just makes me feel sick during the week and hopefully the AFL community wraps their arms around them and we can do something.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s put a damper on the week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Smith, who has previously been open about his own mental health struggles, said the AFL world can be \u201ctoxic\u201d at times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s just human nature to rally around. I think the footy world can be quite toxic at times and I think it is good at putting our arms around the people that need it most when we need to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I think we do both and yeah, it\u2019s just stuff you don\u2019t really like seeing and if there\u2019s something I can leave anyone with, it\u2019s just speak to your mates, put your arm around your loved ones.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou never know who might need it and yeah, I just hope we can get better moving forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson backed Smith\u2019s call and suggested tying it into the round, which includes Spud\u2019s Game that pays tribute to Danny Frawley.<\/p>\n

Last year, Smith opened up on spending time in a mental psych ward<\/a> as his mental health deteriorated while recovering from a knee reconstruction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was about a year ago I got out of a psych ward, I was in Epworth Camberwell for like four weeks,\u201d he said at last year\u2019s All-Australian awards night.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a couple of hours out a day, and I spent that time training and I went through a really dark time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t think I\u2019d get to the other side and I\u2019m super grateful to be here through the support of my family. My manager Robbie (D\u2019Orazio), been there through the shocking times.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know it\u2019s just an injury but until you experience it and have a sense of identity taken away from you and go through some teething issues with moving clubs and outside noise and still trying to just grow up and rehab a knee.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m super grateful to be on the other side of it and I wouldn\u2019t change it for the world. Certainly surprised to be where I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the AFL<\/a> has been in contact with Carlton on Friday about how to best support Hollands, saying it was in ongoing discussions with the club.<\/p>\n

The Blues released an update late on Friday, saying the club would \u201cprovide close and ongoing care\u201d after Hollands suffered a mental health episode during the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is continuing to receive the appropriate level of medical and wellbeing support, with Hollands\u2019 welfare remaining the number one priority,\u201d the Carlton statement read.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe club also remains in contact with the AFL and the AFLPA, given the complicated nature of what occurred on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the club acknowledges the public interest, it asks that Hollands\u2019 privacy be respected, with the primary focus on ensuring he receives the level of care he needs, before a further update can be provided at an appropriate time.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300224636<\/a> or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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