Bailey Smith continues to go from strength to strength and his remarkable season was recognised on Monday night, with the superstar Cat finishing in second position in the Brownlow Medal. 

Leading the way for Geelong once again, Smith polled 36 votes to finish on the podium behind winner Nick Daicos (47 votes) and narrowly ahead of Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (34 votes) in third. 

It marks a career-high for Smith, eclipsing his tally of 29 votes from the 2025 Brownlow Medal, with the brilliant on-baller adjudged the best player on the ground in nine matches across the season. 

The runner-up finish caps off an exquisite second year in the blue and white Hoops for Smith, adding to his selection in the All-Australian team and fifth-placed finish in the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award. 

Smith picked up where he left off with a brilliant start to the 2026 campaign, setting GMHBA Stadium alight in Round 1 and finishing with 31 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal, helping to lead the Cats to a comeback victory over Fremantle. 

He then went to even greater heights in Geelong's following match against Adelaide, collecting 40 disposals and 10 tackles in tricky conditions, again leading his side to a hard-fought victory. 

There were a number of standout performances throughout the year, such as a dominant 34-disposal and 15 inside 50 outing in Gather Round, or his 40-disposal and three-goal display in the final round of the home-and-away season. 

The star Cat collected 40 disposals on three occasions across the season, amassing 30 or more disposals in 17 matches, and only dipping under 25 disposals once. 

Smith ultimately finished the year ranked first in the AFL for total disposals, second for inside 50s, while also sitting in the top 20 for clearances, tackles, contested possessions and score involvements.

It was also a year of milestones for the 25-year-old, with Smith celebrating his 150th game in Geelong's Semi-Final defeat to Fremantle. 

Smith is already accumulating an impressive resume in two years at Geelong, which includes two selections in the All-Australian team, two podium finishes at the Brownlow Medal and an AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award, all coming after missing the entire 2024 season through injury. 

Smith is also expected to poll strongly at Geelong's night of nights, the Carji Greeves Medal, which will take place at the Palladium at Crown on October 1. Follow the link below to secure your tickets.