Saints Seek Answers Amid Bailey Smith Hype
St Kilda is gearing up for a crucial showdown against Geelong, but the conversation surrounding the game is dominated by one name—Bailey Smith. The Cats’ star recruit made a dazzling debut, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe. With Geelong supporters ready to chant his name from the rooftops, the Saints are not only strategizing how to contain him but also looking inward to fix their own game after a concerning season opener.
The Saints endured a brutal start to the season with a 63-point loss to Adelaide. Now, as they prepare to face a red-hot Geelong side under the Marvel Stadium roof, they understand the challenge ahead. Bailey Smith was the standout performer in his first game for the Cats, prompting coach Chris Scott to encourage fans to revel in his brilliance. However, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon is keen to ensure that by the end of Saturday night, Geelong fans aren’t still singing Smith’s praises.
“There’s a lot of noise around Bailey Smith, and rightly so,” Lyon admitted ahead of Thursday’s training session. “But our focus has to be on ourselves. If their fans are still cheering his name at full-time, then we’ll know we’ve got some real problems.”
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Lyon is acutely aware that Smith isn’t the only issue his team faces. The Saints’ performance against Adelaide raised major concerns. Their pressure ranking for the round was among the worst in the league, and their defensive exits—previously one of their strengths—fell apart. They know the Cats will punish any similar lapses, so they’ve spent the week reviewing their structures and intent.
Despite the rough start, Lyon isn’t throwing in the towel. He pointed out that St Kilda has had some success against Geelong in recent years, winning three of their last five encounters. He believes his team has the blueprint to challenge the Cats, but execution will be key.
“We’ve gone to school on our mistakes,” he said. “If we bring the hunt, the pressure, and move the ball well, we can make them defend. That’s the challenge—taking their strengths away while asserting our own game.”
There’s some good news on the selection front. Mitch Owens is expected to return from injury, while Liam Henry is also in contention. Max King and Mattaes Phillipou are making steady progress in their recoveries, with King likely to be back in a few weeks.
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