Welcome to the Bulldogs: Bailey Smith

[jeemak]

But now that he's into full training after a full rehab program he's managed to play two senior halves in the JLT where he looked a little bit rushed in traffic, but got enough of it and did enough to suggest he's definitely on the right path.

If you wanted perfect, sure, it's not been perfect. But given we knew of his Achilles issue, drafted him anyway, and that he's shown a huge level of professionalism and is rated highly by his team mates then I'm not sure how much closer to perfect you can get.

[boydogs]

But now that he's into full training after a full rehab program he's managed to play two senior halves in the JLT where he looked a little bit rushed in traffic, but got enough of it and did enough to suggest he's definitely on the right path.

If you wanted perfect, sure, it's not been perfect. But given we knew of his Achilles issue, drafted him anyway, and that he's shown a huge level of professionalism and is rated highly by his team mates then I'm not sure how much closer to perfect you can get.

Not knocking his attitude, but Tom Williams and Ayce Cordy probably had great attitudes as well. Maybe he's too keen and overdoes things, maybe his body can't cope with the demands. Hopefully neither!

[jeemak]

Not knocking his attitude, but Tom Williams and Ayce Cordy probably had great attitudes as well. Maybe he's too keen and overdoes things, maybe his body can't cope with the demands. Hopefully neither!

Try to judge him on his performance to date, and not the injuries he doesn't have.

I mean he seems to have fully recovered from the injury that we drafted him with, and has built towards senior footy after starting full training in February...…….if anything we should be super impressed with the kid and doing cartwheels about how quickly he's come along.

[The Adelaide Connection]

It seems like a lifetime ago (and improbable) but there is a bloke on our list called Marcus that, if memory serves me right, played at least three or four in the VFL before getting a call up to the AFL squad.

This was at a time that is not dissimilar to now in terms of ladder position and results in the few preceding seasons, so the temptation to rush him straight in would have been strong. This is also a player that was arguably (although the arguments against are pretty poor) the best first year player that year.

Bailey needs to get his confidence up against seasoned adult bodies and at VFL level he will hopefully be able to dominate and get a bit of extra belief. I say give him at least two in the VFL, no matter how well we think he is doing.

[boydogs]

It seems like a lifetime ago (and improbable) but there is a bloke on our list called Marcus that, if memory serves me right, played at least three or four in the VFL before getting a call up to the AFL squad

Yep, unexpectedly dominated at VFL level really early and knocked the door down for promotion

[hujsh]

Seems premature to be worrying about whether he's going to be a Tom Williams based on one injury in the U-18s.

[Rocket Science]

Seems premature to be worrying about whether he's going to be a Tom Williams based on one injury in the U-18s.

Indeed. Fair suck of the saveloy, bloke was drafted what, four months ago?

[bornadog]

This kid is going to be a real star for us, but needs time to develop. A few preseasons and he will be unstoppable.

[AshMac]

It seems like a lifetime ago (and improbable) but there is a bloke on our list called Marcus that, if memory serves me right, played at least three or four in the VFL before getting a call up to the AFL squad.

This was at a time that is not dissimilar to now in terms of ladder position and results in the few preceding seasons, so the temptation to rush him straight in would have been strong. This is also a player that was arguably (although the arguments against are pretty poor) the best first year player that year.

Bailey needs to get his confidence up against seasoned adult bodies and at VFL level he will hopefully be able to dominate and get a bit of extra belief. I say give him at least two in the VFL, no matter how well we think he is doing.

Did Bont play a few VFL games before getting a call up?

I remember bumping into BMac who told me when watching Bont at U18, he turned to dalrymple and said “I haven’t seen a kid impact a game this much since watching Gaz jnr w Bomber”

[The Adelaide Connection]

Did Bont play a few VFL games before getting a call up?

I remember bumping into BMac who told me when watching Bont at U18, he turned to dalrymple and said “I haven’t seen a kid impact a game this much since watching Gaz jnr w Bomber”

He definitely did. I just looked it up and his debut wasn’t u til round 5. The VFL fixtures often don’t line up, so he may not have played four league games in the VFL but it was at least a few (and likely some practice matches).

[Ghost Dog]

His body looks pretty hardened already and is said to train like a freak. I'm embarrassed to think what I was like at the same age!

[AshMac]

He definitely did. I just looked it up and his debut wasn’t u til round 5. The VFL fixtures often don’t line up, so he may not have played four league games in the VFL butt it was at least a few (and likely some practice matches).

Wow. First and last VFL games of his career no doubt.

[soupman]

I remember watching him play in Geelong in the VFL and he looked amazing. This was before we were an amazing handballing side but Bont was great at it. I'd never seen someone so offensive with heir handballs.

He did one in the goalsquare (that we've all seen alot at AFL level now) that was from over his head along with some others that just rocketed out about 15 metres and I couldn't stop ravig about his handballing for months.

[jeemak]

The lad is going to make his debut this week which is fantastic news. Testament to his work ethic, ability to follow advice and his talent.

[Mofra]

Seems a very level headed kid.
He only -played halves in the JLT so will be interested to see how he runs out the games. I think the little clip Bevo gave him during that short vid shows just how hard a trainer Bailey is.