Star Bulldog takes indefinite leave of absence

[GVGjr]

Smith

The Western Bulldogs have granted star midfielder Bailey Smith an indefinite leave of absence from the club.

Western Bulldogs cult figure Bailey Smith is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the club for personal reasons.

The 21-year-old midfielder is completing his training remotely but football boss and club great Chris Grant is confident Smith’s preparation for next season won’t be impeded.

The Bulldogs also allowed Western Australian pair Tim English and Aaron Naughton and South Australian Caleb Daniel to train interstate pre-Christmas because of Covid-19 border uncertainty.

Smith’s circumstances are different to that trio as he focuses on personal issues, including but not restricted to private family matters.

“We remain in close contact with Bailey, and we respect and understand his need to spend some time away from the club at the moment,” Grant said.

“With such a short training block before the Christmas break for the AFL squad; we are comfortable to afford Bailey the time he needs.

“We’ll support him throughout, and he’ll return when he is ready.

“Bailey has maintained an extremely high level of physical conditioning throughout his entire career, and we’re looking forward to reintegrating him into the program at the appropriate time.”

Smith is known as an obsessive and dedicated trainer and has not missed a match in his first three seasons since the Dogs selected him seventh overall in the star-studded 2018 AFL Draft.

He has dethroned Richmond superstar Dustin Martin as the most-followed AFL footballer on Instagram with 355,000 and has become one of the most recognised players in the game.

But Smith told the Common Chaos podcast in October that there were mental health challenges which came with his overnight fame.

“We remain in close contact with Bailey, and we respect and understand his need to spend some time away from the club at the moment,” Grant said.

“With such a short training block before the Christmas break for the AFL squad; we are comfortable to afford Bailey the time he needs.

“We’ll support him throughout, and he’ll return when he is ready.

“Bailey has maintained an extremely high level of physical conditioning throughout his entire career, and we’re looking forward to reintegrating him into the program at the appropriate time.”

Smith is known as an obsessive and dedicated trainer and has not missed a match in his first three seasons since the Dogs selected him seventh overall in the star-studded 2018 AFL Draft.

He has dethroned Richmond superstar Dustin Martin as the most-followed AFL footballer on Instagram with 355,000 and has become one of the most recognised players in the game.

But Smith told the Common Chaos podcast in October that there were mental health challenges which came with his overnight fame.

[EasternWest]

Well we get around him and give him everything he needs.

[bornadog]

Hopefully he can sort things out. All the best to the young man

[ratsmac]

Hopefully he's alright. AFL is a tough gig not just on the field. The level of expectation to play well every week is a massive weight on every players shoulders and then the added pressure to behave and be a role model for young men can take its toll. I'm glad we have good support for him to guide him through these rough times.

[Go_Dogs]

Hope he’s getting the support he needs and comes back as strong as ever. A key player for us, but health and well-being must come first.

[GVGjr]

Hope he’s getting the support he needs and comes back as strong as ever. A key player for us, but health and well-being must come first.

He will get plenty of support no doubt from the club.
It's a real shame he is struggling.

[Grantysghost]

That level of adulation was always going to take a toll on a kid like Bailey, and sounds like there's other factors.

Continued management with him will be the norm, hope to see him back refreshed in the new year.

[MrMahatma]

Maybe we need to stop making him the pseudo face of the club as well?

The kid seems like a really sweet kinda guy. Hope he’s ok. Whatever he’s going through won’t be fun at all.

[Vred]

His mum is very, very sick from the sounds of it. Hopefully whatever it is she pulls through.

[hujsh]

His mum is very, very sick from the sounds of it. Hopefully whatever it is she pulls through.

Definitely takes priority. Hope the same

[comrade]

This ain’t good.

[EasternWest]

His mum is very, very sick from the sounds of it. Hopefully whatever it is she pulls through.

Oh that's just terrible. Poor kid. And her also, obviously.

[Eastdog]

I wish Bailey all the best. He needs some time to deal with some things and I look forward to seeing him back again soon. Take care mate.

[Eastdog]

His mum is very, very sick from the sounds of it. Hopefully whatever it is she pulls through.

Yeah would be a priority for him at the moment. Hope she will be ok.

[LostDog]

Who's the second player reported to be on leave