Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has spoken publicly for the first time since tearing his ACL, pledging his full support for his teammates over the next 12 months.
The star midfielder comes out of contract at the end of 2024 and has a big decision to make, telling 7 News that he will begin pondering it once he has had knee surgery and finds himself in a strong headspace.
“It’s obviously frustrating, but there’s problems and then there’s real world problems, so you put it into perspective as well as you can and get on with things,” Smith said.
“Once I get training and stuff, that’s when we’ll start to properly put the mind to it (my contract).
“Right now I’m just going through the motions with the knee and just trying to get in a good headspace and a good space.”
Smith hopes to spend 2024 inspiring his teammates by working hard in the rehab group and setting standards at training.
“As long as I still train, I don’t mind. Hopefully I can inspire a few of the boys when they see me in a full sweat each day, hopefully that can spur them on a bit, that’s sort of my motivation, is to try and have a positive impact on others,” he said.
“It’s only a small part not being able to run out on weekends so as much support as I can be for the group is sort of the goal.”
And Smith promises to be on his best behaviour over the holiday break to maximise his recovery post surgery.
“Do my rehab as well as I can and do all the right things and be good on new years, no drinking etc ... just be a good boy and look after it, because I’m really motivated to come back bigger and better,” Smith said.
The Bulldogs enter 2024 under pressure to go deep into September, following two seasons fighting for eighth.
