Bailey Smith has made an immediate impact at Geelong, starring early in their AFL pre-season hit-out against Hawthorn.

The 24-year-old midfielder is a key recruit for the Cats and he did not disappoint on Monday with plenty of early possessions at GMHBA Stadium.

It was Smith’s first hit-out since he needed a knee reconstruction late in the 2023 season. After months of speculation, he left the Western Bulldogs with minutes remaining in last year’s trade period via a four-club deal and joined Geelong.

Wearing an eye-catching white headband, he played through the midfield and forward, showing no signs of his extended absence.

He dominated in the first half before sitting out most of the rest of the scratch match, which the Cats won 15.16 (106) to 13.8 (86).

“(It’s) exactly what we’ve seen all pre-season, he’s been really strong. We threw him around in a few positions and he was good,” said Cats assistant coach James Rahilly.

“He was anxious, as anyone would after having a year out. But he accounted (for) himself really well.”

Hawks midfielder Will Day also impressed as he returns from the collarbone injury that sidelined him at the end of last season.

Day was prolific and kicked two goals, reminding the Hawks what they missed last September when their season ended with a tight semi-final loss to Port Adelaide.

Hawks captain James Sicily was also back in action after needing off-season shoulder surgery and played some of the hit-out alongside fellow key defender Josh Battle, recruited from St Kilda.

Battle had to leave the ground with a leg knock and briefly returned, before heading off for the last few minutes.

Former West Coast backman Tom Barrass will have his first run with the Hawks on Thursday week in their official pre-season game against the Bulldogs.

Forward Ollie Henry kicked four goals in the second half of the hit-out for Geelong, while 2023 first-round draft pick Connor O’Sulivan impressed in defence.