Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield has taken Bailey Smith under his wing this week, with the Victorian AFL superstars touching down in Perth late on Tuesday night ahead of the highly anticipated State of Origin clash on Saturday.
Dangerfield Provides Transport for Smith After Licence Loss
The Cats duo arrived together after Smith, who lost his driver's licence just last week, fortunately secured a ride with his captain for the journey west. Dangerfield was spotted in Osborne Park organising their transport arrangements, ensuring his teammate could make it to the important event.
Western Welcome from Cripps
Upon landing, the Victorian arrivals were greeted by Western Australia captain Patrick Cripps, who had also flown into Perth earlier on Tuesday. In a charming moment that crossed state lines, Dangerfield's 8-year-old son George temporarily set aside his Victorian allegiance to snap a photo with the WA star.
Smith's Controversial Profile and On-Field Focus
All eyes will be on Bailey Smith throughout his time in Western Australia, with the midfielder remaining one of the AFL's most prominent and controversial figures. Coming off a career-best season in his first year at Geelong, where he finished third in Brownlow Medal voting, Smith will be eager to remind everyone of his on-field capabilities.
This follows an off-season dominated by headlines about his Mad Monday celebrations, making this Origin appearance particularly significant for his public image rehabilitation.
Number Change Due to Selection Rules
Smith will face another adjustment for the match, having lost out on wearing his favoured No.3 jersey. Fremantle's Caleb Serong will instead wear the number due to having played one more AFL match in his career, demoting Smith to No.33 for the Origin contest.
Squad Arrivals Continue Throughout Wednesday
The bulk of Victoria's squad, along with the remainder of Western Australia's Melbourne-based contingent, are expected to arrive in Perth later on Wednesday. Among the earlier arrivals was former Eagle turned Hawk Tom Barrass, who seized the opportunity to spend extended time back in his home state while helping to promote Western Australia ahead of the clash.
This gathering of AFL elite promises an exciting build-up to Saturday's State of Origin match, with players from both sides now converging on Perth for what many anticipate will be a spectacular display of football talent.
