Rarely has there been a player more synonymous with the Bulldogs than Bailey Smith.
A strong off-field presence, a tough and resilient footballer, and ever reliable team man, Smith brings up 100 games in Ballarat this weekend in only his fifth season in the AFL system.
“To think it is his fifth year, it seems like it isn’t,” Beveridge said.
“He hasn't missed much footy.
“What he means to us as a young man, but also when he is at his best - the influence he has in our team.
“Historically, that 2021 Finals Series, and big games.
"He’s been really influential on the big stage.”
Regularly at training, you’ll see both Smith and Beveridge converging on different topics, a trait that the senior coach enjoys.
“He means a hell of to us Baz - hopefully he plays another two or three hundred,” he said.
“He’s really transparent and wears his heart on his sleeve.
"With him and I, there are some texts here and there. He knows I have his back.
“He’s a young man that wants to be the best. He has this fierce desire to be the best.
“I’ll always have a strong affection for him because he’s a great character. He’s a beautiful person, he loves people.
“He gives (a lot) of himself. It would be hard to be Bailey as he’s in such high demand.
"He's a special human being.”
Smith follows in the footsteps of teammates Ed Richards and Alex Keath, both brining up game 100 last weekend.
