AFL coach Chris Scott addresses Bailey Smith’s move to Geelong

2025 is set to be an exciting year for Geelong with the addition of running machine Bailey Smith to the line-up.

Smith joined the Cats during the AFL’s recent trade period but rumours started swirling way before then that he was always heading down the highway due to his links to Cotton On.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chris Scott speaks to 7NEWS.

Smith is a Cotton On ambassador and Geelong is sponsored by the fashion outlet. Needless to say, conspiracy theories emerged among AFL fans that the fix was on while he was recovering from an ACL injury.

Speaking to 7NEWS, coach Chris Scott addressed those links and also scoffed at them.

Geelong and Cotton On officially united in 2016, while Smith was drafted by the Western Bulldogs with pick No.7 in 2018.

“And with the Bailey (theory) with Cotton On ... we really are playing the long game given the length of the relationship between Bailey and Cotton On,” Scott said.

Scott said it was “exciting” for the club to acquire a player of Smith’s talents but he was conscious that the 23-year-old had missed an entire season of football due to an ACL injury.

“We need to be careful that we don’t put too much expectation on him,” Scott said.

“And we don’t push him too hard too early.

“It’s already clear to anyone who knows him even casually that he’s got a really strong work ethic which is obviously a good thing.

“But we’ve got plenty of time between now and Round 1 to make sure he’s prepared.

“But yeah, it’s hard not to get excited by it.”

Scott was tight-lipped on his plans for Smith, the pre-season, and next year, but stressed that he just wanted his players to make the most of this “rest and rejuvenation phase”.

“We don’t try and reinvent the wheel in October,” he said.

“In some ways the pre-season is a period of experimentation for us, so to sort of stand here and say this is what we need to do to be a good team next year is sort of ignoring the process a little bit.”

Smith addressed his move from the Western Bulldogs to Geelong six days ago.

“Feels like yesterday I was drafted to the club of my dreams. It will forever be one of the best days of my life. I can’t thank the Western Bulldogs enough for being my rock & having my back through both the best & worst times,” he said on his Instagram page.

“As we know people evolve + change & through my pursuit of searching for fulfilment / purpose, the decision to leave the kennel + Melbourne in general, felt right.“Regardless of what narrative you wish to believe or what your take on me as a person is, just know that the Bulldogs faithful will always have a place in my heart… from Bevo (coach Luke Beveridge), Bont (captain Marcus Bontempelli) & the boys to the loyal fans in the cheer squad rocking up week in week out.

“Thanks for taking me in as a fresh faced 18 year old & helping me along my journey. I’ll forever be grateful and will do you proud in this next chapter as you’ve played such a pivotal role in my footballing & personal life.“I can say, without a doubt, it’s been the most difficult year I’ve experienced & one day I’ll have the courage to open up about it, but for now, I’m gonna put my head down & do what I do best - get to work.“To those praying on my downfall, thank you. See you in 2025. 🔒🥷❤️.”