Bailey Smith has opened up about his mental health battle, revealing he spent time in a psychiatric ward in 2024.
The Geelong midfielder spoke tonight of voluntarily admitting himself into a facility during his recovery from a ruptured ACL while being interviewed on stage at the AFL Awards after earning his first All-Australian blazer.
“It was about a year ago I got out of a psych ward; I was in Epworth Camberwell for four weeks, and I got a couple of hours out a day, and I spent that training,” Smith told interviewer, Fox Footy’s Mark Howard.
“I went through a really dark time, and I didn’t think I’d get to, I suppose, the other side.
“I’m super grateful to be here, through the support of my family, my manager Robbie (D’Orazio) being there through the shocking times.
“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.”
Smith, who shared the AFL Coaches Association’s Champion Player award with Gold Coast’s Noah Anderson, was one of two Geelong players named in the final All-Australian team alongside Jeremy Cameron.
The Coleman medallist, finishing with 83 goals for the home-and-away season, and now a five-time selection, was named captain of the star-studded side.
Cameron also finished fifth in voting for the Leigh Matthews Trophy as the AFL Player’s Association’s Most Valuable Player.
Earlier in the night, Shaun Mannagh was named the Coaches’ Association’s Best Young Player.
Despite being 28 years old, Mannagh was eligible for the award, as it is based on a player’s performance in their first two years in the AFL.
“This award is great recognition for Shaun’s impressive first two seasons in the AFL,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
“In his 32 games so far, Shaun has quickly become an important player for us, and across this season, he has again been one of our most consistent performers.”
He is the fourth Cat to win the award, joining Joel Selwood, Tom Stewart, and Tim Kelly.
X: @krockfootball
