Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith risks high-speed motorbike injury while on rehab in Greece
Suffering a knee injury last season during pre-season training afforded Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith a European summer due to his monotonous rehab schedule. In documenting his travels on Instagram, on Tuesday he shared a clip of himself on a high-speeding motorbike without a helmet, risking serious injury.
The 23 year old is currently on a lengthy European getaway, with his most recent stop being Antiparos, a pristine island adjacent to Paros, located in the Aegean Sea.
In the clip shared on Instagram, Bailey Smith looks to have thrown caution to the wind as he enjoyed a motorbike ride at high speed without a helmet, taking in the island’s views. The AFL star is seen shirtless in the footage, with only a white cap and shorts on, while the motorcycle driver is wearing a black helmet.
The image, which has now been taken down, had tongues wagging, as Greece has one of the highest road fatality rates in Europe, with motorbike fatalities twice as high as anywhere else across the continent.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith’s ACL recovery journey
Western Bulldogs cover boy Bailey Smith suffered a season ending ACL injury in December. He's now recovering in European sunshines and islands during his rehab schedule.
Camping out in Southern France’s breathtaking coastal spot Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the 23-year-old has been enjoying croissant breakfasts and views of turquoise waters, as attested to by his social media updates. The change of scenery was recommended by Smith’s surgeon to offload some of the mental baggage of long-term recovery.
In one of the photos shared by Smith on instagram, he showed off an incredibly gym-honed body as he took a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean, sporting a pair of board shorts.
Another captured the midfielder savouring a coffee and croissant at a local café. He looks to be well and hearty, prompting excited fans to comment “you’ll be sweet for the finals,” and they might be right.
Midfielder Bailey Smith has played for the Western Bulldogs since 2019. Following an injury late last year, he has been on the sidelines. Bailey Smith posted:
"Do my rehab as well as I can and do all the right things and be good on new years, no drinking etc ... just be a good boy and look after it, because I'm really motivated to come back bigger and better. As long as I still train, I don't mind.
"Hopefully I can inspire a few of the boys who don't feel it when they get in to train and they see me in a full sweat each day, hopefully that can spur them on a bit, that's sort of my motivation, is to try and have a positive impact on others. It's only a small part not being able to run out on weekends so as much support as I can be for the group is sort of the goal."
Smith won't be back on the field until next season, when he will also be out of contract. Whether he re-signs with the Bulldogs is something to look out for.