Could Cats recruit Smith make All-Australian push in first Geelong season?

Is Bailey Smith a realistic chance of making the All-Australian team in his first season at Geelong?

While the midfielder is coming back from an ACL injury that ruined his 2023 campaign at the Western Bulldogs, one caller to SEN Breakfast expects the 24-year-old to hit the ground running at GMHBA Stadium.

With reports emerging of Smith impressing across the pre-season at Geelong, Sam Edmund and Kane Cornes discussed how his first season in the hoops could look and whether he could make an All-Aus push.

Edmund: “He looks good in training. If you're looking for signs, then you couldn't ask any more of him.

“He's absolutely training the house down as they say.”

Cornes: “He always looks good, doesn't he? But it’s going to be difficult for him (to make the All-Australian team).

“I heard Zach Guthrie speak about the impact that he's had, saying that the versatility that he provides will be really important.

“It's really hard for him to make All-Australian if he's playing half forward, wing and on-ball.”

Edmund: “They'll settle them in the guts.”

Cornes: “Genuinely as a midfielder, sitting in those All-Australian meetings (as a selector), it is hard to make it in the team as there are millions of midfielders, and there are about eight spots for them in the All-Australian team … and some would say that's too many.

“But I think he’ll have an impact and it was bargain basement what they got him for.”

Edmund: “I think it was a late first-rounder, but for him, at least what he's capable of and what he's produced in the past pre-injury, that could turn out to be a steal.”

The Cats gave up pick 17 and 38 for Smith and pick 45 amid a four-team trade between themselves and the Saints, Dogs and Blues.

Geelong begin their season with an Opening Round clash against reigning premiers Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday, March 6.