Luke Beveridge has playfully responded to Bailey Smith’s recent comments about atmosphere in football, implying that it took the Western Bulldogs visiting Geelong for the Cats to achieve a full GMHBA Stadium for the first time this season. Smith had remarked on the vibrant atmosphere at the MCG during his game against Collingwood, contrasting it with his experiences in Ballarat, where the Bulldogs faced Port Adelaide in front of a crowd of fewer than 5,000.
As the Bulldogs prepare to clash with the Cats this Thursday, the tension is palpable, given that this will be their first encounter since Smith left the Bulldogs to join Geelong during last year’s trade period. With a grin, Beveridge quipped about the irony of the situation, hinting at the headline that would follow his comments.
The Cats have struggled with attendance this season, registering only one crowd exceeding 30,000, during a match against Melbourne, compared to a record turnout of over 39,000 when they faced St Kilda last year. Despite acknowledging the drama surrounding the match, Beveridge insisted that his team will focus solely on their performance, without letting the subplot of Smith’s transfer cloud their preparation.
He stated, “The emotional part is about our journey and what we can achieve,” emphasising that their focus is on the collective strength of the Geelong team rather than on Smith alone. Beveridge affirmed that the competitive spirit and verbal exchanges intrinsic to the game will continue as usual, with no intentions of targeting Smith, who has been a standout player for the Cats this season.
In terms of crowd dynamics, Beveridge noted that the home advantage for Geelong means their fans dominate the atmosphere, which could limit any potential backlash or booing directed at Smith. He expressed confidence in the support for Smith from Bulldogs fans, citing his milestone of playing over 100 games with the club, indicating that the Dogs would need to create their own energy amidst the anticipated strong local support for the Cats.
Overall, the upcoming game promises to be charged with emotion and competitive spirit, shaped by past affiliations while retaining the focus on tactical football from both sides.