From the outside, it appears to be one of football’s unlikely alliances.
The emerging wingman, a man of faith, who is happy to be open with his beliefs, and the superstar midfielder, who carries a reputation for a good time and a love of techno music in the morning.
However, Ollie Dempsey has described Geelong teammate Bailey Smith as “one of my best mates”, a relationship further strengthened by the time they’ve spent together since Smith lost his licence for speeding earlier this year.
“I remember the first few (lifts); it was like techno at 7 am,” Dempsey recalled.
“I’m like, ‘I don’t know if we’re ready for this. I don’t think this is me’.
“But, no, it’s been great. Bailey’s one of my best mates, and it’s been… a blessing in disguise, him losing his licence.
“We’ve gotten probably closer from being able to pick him up. The car rides have been good. I’ll miss it; I think he gets his license back next week.”
Smith, who is now being talked about as a Brownlow Medal fancy, won praise for his comments post-Geelong’s win over Sydney on Saturday about separating his personal life from his football identity, including from Dempsey.
“We were chatting last Friday, I think, and he just made the comment about how he’s in debt to this club, and he owes a lot to this club,” Dempsey said.
“And I think that’s a massive testament to the guys, ‘Hock’ (CEO Steve Hocking) and ‘Scotty’ (coach Chris Scott).
“And it’s pretty cool seeing his transformation. You can see it on the footy field. He’s playing so much more free.
“We have coffee pretty regularly – most days – and life outside of footy is massive, and this club is so amazing at promoting that.”
After a disappointing loss to Port Adelaide on Anzac Day, Geelong has produced an impressive month of football, with wins over the improved North Melbourne, finals hopefuls Collingwood, reigning premier Brisbane, and the previously ladder-leading Sydney.
“I think we’ve had a good few weeks, but then we look ahead, and there’s so many good teams to still come,” Dempsey said.
“So I haven’t really reflected on it too much in that sense. It’s a cliche, but we’ve sort of taken it one week at a time because it’s a long time.
“We’ve got Carlton this week, and they’re solid.
“It’s been a pretty good month. And we touched on it at the start of the North Melbourne game, that the next month, let’s get it right.
“And I feel like we have, which is really nice.”
X: @krockfootball
