Bailey Smith criticizes Bulldogs ahead of May 22 clash

After Geelong's thrilling win over Collingwood, midfielder Bailey Smith stirred controversy by making a pointed remark contrasting the vibrant MCG crowd to the sparse turnout at his former club, the Western Bulldogs' Ballarat game, saying, 'It's beautiful ... I'm not getting that at Ballarat.' Smith, who moved from the Bulldogs to Geelong last year, has embraced his new club but hasn't shied from controversy, with multiple fines for gestures toward opposition fans this season. His comment drew criticism from fans on social media, who viewed it as disrespectful to his old club. Despite the off-field headlines, Smith delivered an impressive on-field performance with a game-high 34 possessions, while teammate Patrick Dangerfield was instrumental in the Cats' comeback. The match saw Geelong rally from a 20-point deficit before holding off a late Collingwood surge, winning by three points. Both coaches praised their teams' efforts, with special mention of Dangerfield's impact and the sportsmanship shown after Collingwood's near-miss at the final siren.