35 Facts About Bailey Smith

Bailey Smith received a nomination for the 2019 AFL Rising Star award in round 9 of the 2019 season, placing fourth in the overall count at the conclusion of the season.

Bailey Smith grew up in East Malvern played his early career for the East Malvern Knights Junior Football Club in Melbourne's south-east.

Bailey Smith won a best and fairest with Xavier College while playing in the team in Year 11, and was named as a member of the AIS-AFL Academy.

Bailey Smith played for the Sandringham Dragons in the NAB League for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Bailey Smith was named captain of Xavier College's first XVIII football team, as well as for the Sandringham Dragons, for the 2018 season.

Bailey Smith was selected to play for Vic Metro in the AFL Under 18 Championships for the 2018 season.

Bailey Smith had his best game in the third round of the tournament, where he tallied up 20 disposals and 3 goals in what was close to a best on ground performance.

Bailey Smith was named in the team's best in all of the other rounds.

Bailey Smith claimed Vic Metro's Most Valuable Player Award, and was named in the Under 18 All-Australian team as a midfielder.

Bailey Smith was eventually taken at pick 7 by the Western Bulldogs in the 2018 AFL draft.

Bailey Smith missed out on a large amount of the pre-season, as a result of the Achilles tendon injury he suffered in his draft year.

On debut, Bailey Smith collected just 8 disposals and 4 tackles.

Bailey Smith earned a 2019 AFL Rising Star nomination in the Bulldogs' Round 9 loss to Geelong, totalling 28 disposals, 10 contested possessions and 5 clearances.

Bailey Smith had a very solid game against Brisbane Lions in round 20, collecting 27 disposals and 4 clearances.

Bailey Smith was named in the team's best in round 21, where he contributed 23 disposals and a goal in the team's 104-point thrashing of Essendon.

Bailey Smith was named as the Chris Grant Best First Year Player for the Western Bulldogs.

Bailey Smith had a successful 2020 season in what was to be a season majorly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bailey Smith did not miss a single game the entire year, meaning he had played 35 consecutive games.

Bailey Smith suffered a concussion early in the Bulldogs' round 5 clash against North Melbourne after being tackled by Shaun Atley, but was named fit to play the following week, continuing his run of consecutive games.

Bailey Smith stood up in many disappointing losses that year, again being named as the team's best in an dismal 52-point loss to Carlton after collecting 26 disposals and a goal.

Bailey Smith had his best game for the year in the Western Bulldogs' 57 point victory over Adelaide in the 12th round of the season, where he collected a career-high 37 disposals, as well as 4 marks, 3 tackles and 10 inside 50s.

Bailey Smith followed this game up with a best on ground performance the following week which earned him 3 Brownlow Medal votes, tallying 26 disposals and a goal against Melbourne.

The 2021 season was to be a season of improvement for Bailey Smith, rotating through different positions such as midfielder, wingman and forward.

Bailey Smith had a good start to the pre-season, winning the team's running test, a display of his improved fitness.

Bailey Smith earned three Brownlow Medal votes as a result of his performance.

Bailey Smith had a solid performance in the team's 128-point demolition of North Melbourne in the Good Friday match in round 3, where he collected 26 disposals to be named one of the team's best players.

In June 2022, a video surfaced of Bailey Smith holding a bag of white powder at a party late in 2021.

Bailey Smith has a strong presence on social media, with the most followers on Instagram out of all players in the AFL, totalling 364,000 followers.

Bailey Smith is a brand ambassador for the clothing chain Cotton On and drink Monster Energy.

Bailey Smith collaborated with Cotton On on a clothing collection which was released in September 2023.

Bailey Smith has appeared in advertising campaigns for McDonald's, Kayo Sports, CoinSpot and Stuff That Matters.

In 2023, Bailey Smith founded a company called Alter Ego Drinks and launched an alcoholic drinks line called Barry.

Barry Drink currently has three flavours, and is owned by Bailey Smith with branding partners Charlie Curnow, Reece Walsh, and Josh and Nick Daicos.

Bailey Smith has been open about his mental health struggles, with his former teammate Dale Morris being a mentor to Bailey Smith, helping him to deal with his struggles.

In May 2020, Bailey Smith took part in the Big Freeze challenge, where the contestants jump into icy water to help raise funds to combat motor neuron disease.