Geelong recruit Bailey Smith has made a raw admission about his off-field struggles and revealed what computer game keeps him “sane”.

Smith was sidelined for the entire 2024 season as he recovered from an ACL tear before sealing a move to the Cats in the off-season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bailey Smith speaks to Channel 7 about off-field struggles.

The 24-year-old has been open about his mental health battles in the past, but shed more light on it when speaking to Channel 7 after Geelong’s win over Adelaide on Thursday night.

Smith was immense with a game-high 35 touches as the Cats overcame a 30-point deficit to seal a memorable win.

The gun midfielder has made a brilliant star to life as a Cat, which is a far cry from this time last year.

“Things are good now, 12 months ago I was a bit off with the fairies, not right in the head,” Smith told Channel 7.

Despite the struggles, Smith never considered walking away from the game.

“Footy is the one thing, that’s what people forget, they see the outside stuff, but footy is what makes me tick,” he said.

“I want to outwork everyone, I want to be the best I can and hopefully win a flag with these boys.”

Fellow Geelong star Max Holmes outed Smith as a gun Fortnite player, which has helped him to stay grounded.

“Yeah, I grind everyday. It’s the one thing that keeps me sane, it’s either that or I’m on the drink,” Smith said.

“I love it. It’s the best. It keeps me sane. I’m an obsessive personality so whatever I do, I do to the fullest.

“That can be good and bad. As we know. As we have seen.”

When pressed further on his obsessive personality, Smith opened up more.

“I think it’s something you want to be that way inclined and learn to dial it back,” he said.

“There’s a saying, you’d rather be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a wall.

“Rather be that way inclined and be a bit of a psycho and learn to tame it as much as it’s led me astray at times.

“Trying to fix that and have that calm rage and tame the beast a bit.

“It’s hard to do but takes training, do my meditation every day and that sort of stuff.”

Smith hasn’t missed a step since his return to footy, but he just loves being out there.

“I just love competing and I love running out with them. Win or lose, I don’t know, I judge my wins on what I do during the week, how hard I train, how disciplined I am and how locked in I am Monday to Friday,” he said.

“Work as hard as I can during the week so I enjoy the weekend, that’s the easy part.

“I judge my wins on the day-to-day basis.”