Chris Scott has brushed aside suggestions that Geelong has a disciplinary issue with Bailey Smith, describing the 24-year-old’s first year at the club as an “outrageous success.” His comments come just days after reports that the AFL had contacted the Cats over the midfielder’s social-media activity.
The league had earlier met with Smith and senior Geelong officials in June to discuss off-field conduct, and the club recently faced criticism over its Mad Monday celebrations, where teammate Max Holmes dressed as veteran journalist Caroline Wilson.
Scott calls for calm amid scrutiny
Speaking on Wednesday, Scott refused to fuel speculation that Smith’s behaviour was becoming a concern. “If you separate our off-field issues, that’s probably the best way to describe it, and think through how the last 12 months have gone with Bailey, it’s been an outrageous success. Outrageous,” he said, as quoted by Fox Sports Australia.
The Cats coach added that while there were moments that needed to be “nudged and managed,” there was no major cause for alarm. “I refuse to buy into the idea there’s some serious, major work to be done. I just don’t believe that to be true.”
Scott also welcomed the AFL’s decision to engage directly with the club, calling it a sign of “good collaboration” rather than interference. He noted that Geelong’s decision to scrap Mad Monday costumes altogether was a “big win personally,” admitting he had “never been a fan” of the tradition.