Bailey Smith has responded to recent criticism of the way the Western Bulldogs approached their match against North Melbourne on Good Friday.
The Dogs smashed the Roos by 128 points, with Smith coming under fire from Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton, who told SEN’s Bob and Andy he wasn’t impressed with the way the star young midfielder treated an opponent.
When asked about whether taking a physical approach to games was something that was a specific way the club wanted to play, Smith said it was “very hard” to adjust as he views every match as a battle.
“I don’t think it’s the way we want to play,” he said on Sportsday.
“But also, when you view an AFL game as a battle, it’s very hard to switch off at times and leave prisoners. There’s a fine line between respect and rubbing their noses in it.
“With me, I try to be as ruthless as I can to an extent, just because it helps me stay focused and locked in I suppose when I play.
“It keeps me focused, on my toes and focused on the game.”
The Dogs’ Friday night meeting with the Giants is one of the most anticipated matches of the round, with the two sides squaring off in some memorable games in recent years.
Smith said the club was focused on stopping GWS as a collective, rather than having a specific plan for individual players.
“I know (Xavier O'Halloran and Nick Haynes) will be on the wing (alongside me),” he said.
“We’ve done our normal team meeting (before the game), but I don’t really go into their individual players.
“I just have to back my strengths in and my run and try and beat them on the day and I think everyone does that, we more view their strength and weakness and try and pick that apart.”