Bailey v Bont: Dogs are "soft" for being upset

The byplay between Bailey Smith and Marcus Bontempelli makes for great theatre, according to Kane Cornes.

The former teammates traded barbs over the weekend after Geelong’s Smith had a cheeky dig at his old club the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

It has been suggested that the Dogs were upset by Smith’s comments, but Cornes believes they perhaps need to toughen up.

“Great theatre between Bailey Smith and the Western Bulldogs,” Cornes said on SEN’s Fireball.

“Good stuff from both parties. But then I hear the fallout from this is that the Bulldogs are really upset.

“If the Bulldogs are really upset about that, pull your socks up. Multiple reports over the weekend that they felt like Bailey had checked out during his time at the Western Bulldogs.

“They were really upset by that clip. If that is the case, pull your socks up, you are soft. That is brilliant, that is everything that we need to build this game and rivalries.”

His Fireball co-host King is loving what Smith is producing early in his debut season for the Cats.

“We need characters,” he added.

“I’m actually really enjoying his work. If he plays the way he is playing… and he’s sort of being a little bit cheeky without going too far.”

Cornes added: “He’s on the line but he’s got a nice balance of knowing when not to go over it.”

King responded: “You’ve got a really good eye for this stuff. If they step one millimetre over it, his world will come crashing down.”

Cornes concluded: “I’ll call it out, don’t worry, I’ll be all over it.”

Geelong’s prized recruit Smith once again made headlines after producing a snide remark aimed at the Dogs.

Following the Cats’ nail-biting three-point win over the Magpies, Smith directed a comment at the Western Bulldogs during a post-match interview with Fox Footy’s Cam Mooney.

While Geelong’s contest with Collingwood amassed over 80,000 fans at the MCG, Smith’s former side competed in Ballarat, knocking off the Power in front of 4,814.

Mooney: “82,000 (fans) versus Collingwood on a Saturday night at the ‘G, how good is that!”

Smith: “It’s beautiful mate.

“Not getting that at Ballarat!”

In an appearance on Channel 7’s Sunrise on Sunday morning, Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli addressed the comment in strong fashion, citing Smith’s recent sanctions.

“Very interesting by Bailey,” Bontempelli said.

“It’s nice to know we’re still on Bailey’s mind, he’s still thinking about us even at another team.

“In the end, there’s probably a few less people down in Ballarat to flip the bird to so maybe that’s why he’s a little bit disappointed.

“It makes Round 11 even more interesting which I think we’ll all be looking forward to.

“Everyone loves a bit of theatre in the game, so we’ll be happy to provide the same as we get closer.”

Bailey Smith has since posted an Instagram story featuring three fishing rods, insinuating that Bontempelli took the bait from his initial comments.

The story also features a location tag reading 'The Salty Dog', addressing Bontempelli's comments on Sunrise.

The two sides face off in Round 11, with Geelong hosting the Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium in a Thursday night headliner.