It was an exciting conclusion to the 2024 Trade Period, with Geelong's big move coming in the final moments as the club secured the services of Bailey Smith. 

With 103 AFL games under his belt and an impressive resume in six years at the top level, Smith will be a welcome addition to the Cats midfield group in 2025. 

Arriving for his first day at GMHBA Stadium following the trade, the 23 year old looked at home in the Hoops and opened up on what enticed him to join Geelong. 

"The talent that is already prevalent in the list and the future is exciting," Smith said. 

"It is such a successful club, the way they go about footy and more importantly life, with the balance they have and the people that Geelong breeds.

"That is what drew me here the most, footy is always amazing and is a lot of people's number one thing, but it is more the type of people that are within the four walls.

"It is a privilege to get to know them and hopefully I can add something to what is already an exciting list."

Through his first five seasons in the AFL, Smith played over 100 games for the Bulldogs and averaged nearly 23 disposals per game.

Smith possesses elite strength and endurance, making him an asset as a ball winning midfielder who can impact both inside and outside the contest. 

After missing 2024 through injury, Smith said he has made a full recovery and is excited to get started in the upcoming preseason. 

"I am fully fit now so I am fully ready to go, I am very excited for when day one of preseason rolls around," Smith said. 

"I am itching for it to be honest, I will be coming in here at least once a week until then just to get to know the facilities and train here with a few of the boys.

"Then I will come back with the young lads and get stuck into it as soon as I can.

"I am fully fit, firing and ready to go."