Geelong Cats star Bailey Smith is actively pursuing a role as a Channel Seven AFL commentator, with reports suggesting he could debut on air before the midpoint of this season. According to respected AFL reporter Caroline Wilson, the 25-year-old midfielder is eager to shift public perception by highlighting his deep understanding of the game.
Rare Move for an Active Player
It is highly unusual for an AFL footballer to commentate on rival teams while still actively playing. However, Smith is determined to break this mould. Wilson revealed on Seven's The Agenda Setters that Smith wants football enthusiasts to recognise a new dimension of his persona.
'What I have found out in the last couple of days is that Bailey Smith wants football people to see a new side of Bailey Smith, and that is his footy IQ,' Wilson stated. 'He wants to work for Channel Seven on game days.'
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Potential Commentary Timeline
While Smith may not immediately step into a live match commentary booth, Wilson anticipates his involvement in analytical segments. 'I'm not saying he's going to come in as a special commentator during matches right now, but I can tell you that before midway through this season, I reckon we're going to see Bailey Smith analysing games, potentially at halftime, pre-game or potentially post-game,' she explained.
Wilson further noted that Smith's keen eye for the game has already impressed insiders. 'I think there's a real feeling that even people at Geelong say when he first went there and when he was interviewed and when they were looking at vision [of games], that he was stopping vision at really good times and making some really good observations.'
Club Support and Precedent
Channel Seven has reported that the Geelong Cats are supportive of Smith's foray into television work. This backing is not without precedent within the club, as assistant coach Nathan Buckley concurrently serves as an analyst for Fox Sports, demonstrating that dual roles can be managed effectively.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Smith's potential commentary role comes after a period of significant personal adversity. Last year, the former Western Bulldogs star publicly disclosed that he spent four weeks in a psychiatric ward in 2024, following a severe injury that jeopardised his career.
He suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a training session in December 2023, which forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. Initially downplaying the setback on social media with a casual 'ah well, she'll be right,' Smith later confessed to struggling profoundly with the mental toll.
'It was about a year ago I got out of a psych ward, I was in Epworth Camberwell for like four weeks,' Smith revealed at the AFL Awards night. 'I got a couple of hours out a day, and I spent that sort of training and I went through a really dark time.'
He elaborated on the psychological impact, stating, 'I know it's just an injury, but until you sort of experience it, and have a sense of identity sort of taken away and some teething issues with moving clubs and outside noise... so I'm super grateful to be on the other side of it.'
A New Chapter On and Off the Field
Smith's openness about his mental health struggles and his subsequent recovery have already shown fans a different, more vulnerable side of the athlete. Now, his ambition to join Channel Seven as a commentator represents another step in reshaping his public image, transitioning from a player known for on-field controversy to a thoughtful analyst of the sport.
If the move proceeds, it will mark a rare instance of an active AFL player providing expert commentary, offering viewers unique insights drawn directly from contemporary match experience. This initiative could pave the way for other players to explore similar opportunities, blending playing careers with media roles.
