\n In a stunning All-Australian interview, Geelong star Bailey Smith has bravely shared he spent four weeks at a mental health facility during a tough 2024\n <\/p>\n
Mark Howard interviews Bailey Smith after being named in the 2025 All-Australian Team at the AFL Awards night. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
This article discusses mental health issues, suicide and other material that some people may find distressing. For immediate support please contact Headspace<\/a> on 1800 650 890. You may also visit beyondblue.org.au<\/a> or call the Beyond Blue Support Service<\/a> on 1300 22 4636<\/p>\n GEELONG 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 “It was about a year ago, I got out of a psych ward,” Smith said.<\/p>\n Bailey Smith is interviewed after being named in the 2025 All-Australian team during the AFL Awards night. Picture: AFL Photos<\/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 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 \u201cI\u2019m super grateful to be on the otherside of it, and I wouldn\u2019t change it for the world.\u201d<\/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 \u2014 AFL (@AFL) August 28, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Smith moved to Geelong during last year’s trade period following six seasons at the Western Bulldogs.<\/p>\n The 25-year-old has been an instant success with the Cats, helping power them into premiership favouritism ahead of another finals campaign.<\/p>\n He earned his maiden All-Australian blazer on Thursday night, and was also named a joint winner of the Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year Award<\/a>, alongside Noah Anderson.<\/p>\n Noah Anderson and Bailey Smith pose after being awarded joint recipients of the AFL Coaches’ Association Champion Player of the Year during the 2025 AFL Awards at Centrepiece. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n After Smith’s revelation he received further questions about his challenges in an unexpected turn from the normal All-Australian interviews.<\/p>\n “It was hard but it was something I had to do,” Smith said.<\/p>\n “It was obviously voluntary to go in.<\/p>\n “I still see my psych today, it helps me.<\/p>\n “I think I just changed my mindset from if you have an injury you need to rehab it in the gym.<\/p>\n “If you have an injury mentally it\u2019s just rehabbing and keeping on top of that.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s just going to the gym for your fitness, I’m going for my mental fitness.<\/p>\n “Changing my mindset around that, the word gets thrown around a lot these days, mental health is an excuse in some cases and it\u2019s not a sympathy for me thing it’s just more to raise awareness that you can put your hand up.<\/p>\n “Tough period but wouldn’t change it for the world.<\/p>\n “Whatever dark period you’re going through it\u2019ll always make sense.”<\/p>\n If you or anyone you know needs support, contact:<\/p>\n \u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0Headspace on 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au<\/a> ALL-AUSTRALIAN TEAM Cameron captain, 11 new faces, Gawn joins greats<\/a>
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a013YARN: 13 92 76 or 13yarn.org.au<\/a>
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au<\/a>
\u2022 \u00a0 \u00a0Urgent Help – Play AFL: play.afl\/urgent-help<\/a><\/p>\n
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AS IT HAPPENED All the action from the 2025 AFL Awards night<\/a><\/p>\n