Geelong-bound star Bailey Smith's parting message to angry Bulldogs fans 'praying on my downfall'
Updated . First published at
Bailey Smith has thanked those "praying on my downfall" after landing at Geelong in the dying minutes of the AFL trade period.
The AFL star was on Wednesday night granted his wish to join the Cats as part of a four-club trade, ending a 103-game stint at the Western Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs' media team then posted on social media a "thankyou" graphic accompanied by the caption: "A Dog becomes a Cat. All the best for the next chapter, Baz".
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The post prompted Bulldogs fans to blast the media department, who had dedicated a kind-hearted message to Smith, as well as unload on the man himself.
Smith lashed back at the fans, taking to Instagram to post a shushing emoji before later expressing his gratitude for those who had stirred a fire in him.
Bailey Smith's parting message to angry Western Bulldogs fans. Getty
"Feels like yesterday I was drafted to the club of my dreams," Smith wrote in the post.
"It will forever be one of the best days of my life. I can't thank the @westernbulldogs enough for being my rock & having my back through both the best & worst times.
"As we know people evolve + change & through my pursuit of searching for fulfilment / purpose, the decision to leave the kennel + Melbourne in general, felt right.
"Regardless of what narrative you wish to believe or what your take on me as a person is, just know that the Bulldogs faithful will always have a place in my heart.
"Thanks for taking me in as a fresh faced 18 year old & helping me along my journey. I'll forever be grateful and will do you proud in this next chapter as you've played such a pivotal role in my footballing & personal life.
"I can say, without a doubt, it's been the most difficult year I've experienced & one day I'll have the courage to open up about it, but for now, I'm gonna put my head down & do what I do best - get to work.
"To those praying on my downfall, thank you."
Smith was sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury during a training session in December.
On arrival in Geelong, Smith told Cats media he was "fully fit, firing and ready to go".
"I'm very excited to go come day one of pre-season. I'm itching for it, to be honest," he said.
"I'll be coming in at least once a week to get to know the facilities and train with a few of the boys. Then I'll come in with the young lads and get stuck into it as soon as I can.
"The future is exciting because it is a successful club and the way the [club] goes about footy and life — that balance drew me here the most."
Smith said he found out his desire to be traded to the Cats had been granted on a "walk in the park" at sunset.
"They left it to the last minute but it's all good," he said.
"It is still surreal, it hasn't properly sunk in. I'm sure over the next couple of days, especially when pre-season starts, that it will start to feel real, especially when I get to put the boots on and get out on the deck. I'm just super grateful.
"I've been on the opposing end of the Cats fans so it will be nice to be a part of the family, and I will hopefully do them proud."
Bailey Smith pictured for the first time in the Geelong guernsey. Geelong Cats
While the Bulldogs received pick 17 and Carlton midfielder Matt Kennedy, the club lost Smith and fellow midfielder Jack Macrae, who secured a trade to St Kilda.
"They didn't really get what they demanded they would get, the Western Bulldogs," said Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes on Nine's Footy Furnace.
"... Geelong get a very good player in their prime to solve them a need ... A relief for him [Bailey] to not have to sit around for a month and wait with anxiety."
