Bailey Smith is set to join his Geelong teammates and senior coach Chris Scott in the 2026 AFL Origin match, with the superstar midfielder selected in the Victorian team among the final player announcements.
The representative honour caps off a remarkable 12 months for the dominant on-baller, after an incredible debut season in the blue and white Hoops last year.
Smith led the AFL with an average of 31.3 disposals per game in 2025, also finishing in the competition's top 10 for centre clearances and inside 50s.
He was aptly recognised at the end of the season, sharing the honours in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, while also recording a top three finish in the Brownlow Medal and earning his first All-Australian selection.
Smith also caught the eye of Geelong's coaching panel throughout the season, finishing second in the 2025 Carji Greeves Medal behind Max Holmes.
AFL Origin is set to return for the first official match since 1999, as Victoria head to Perth to take on Western Australia.
Chris Scott will be at the helm for Victoria, set to coach a Victorian team that includes Smith and other Geelong superstars like Jeremy Cameron, Max Holmes, Tom Stewart and Patrick Dangerfield.
Lawson Humphries will feature in a star-studded Western Australia team, which will be led by AFL legend, Dean Cox.
AFL Origin will take place on Saturday February 14, with Victoria set to take on Western Australia at Optus Stadium from 4.40pm local time and 7.40pm AEDT.
