Cam Guthrie's peculiar sporting regimen revealed following injury-riddled 2023 season

Geelong Cats premiership winner Cam Guthrie has revealed he has turned to ballet in a bid to return to the side after his 2023 season was decimated by injury. The Cats midfielder's AFL campaign was prematurely ended in Round 6 after picking up a foot injury that required surgery.

The 31-year-old underwent surgery on his toe before making his VFL return late in the season but didn't manage to crack the senior team despite the Cats' struggles, losing four of their final five games. Guthrie has suffered very few injuries in his illustrious 236-game career but has turned to ballet as part of his rehab.

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Guthrie has employed Australian Ballet physio Susan Mayes to help with his recovery after struggling to recapture the form that saw him earn the club's best and fairest award in 2022. "I was hopeful I’d be able to come back and contribute in the back half of the year but I didn’t get that chance after going in for surgery," Guthrie told 7News.

"It was an injury that kept getting away from me, sometimes they are the most frustrating. She (Susan) had some great little foot intrinsic exercises that got me back into shape. A little bit tedious at times, but she did some great work with me and I really appreciate it."

Guthrie hopes the addition of ballet to his training regimen will assist him in getting back to his best. "I worked hard over the off-season to put myself in a position where I can hopefully get back and contribute a little bit more in 2024," he said.

Adam Cooney believes injured star Bailey Smith will leave the Bulldogs

Following news that Bailey Smith was dealt a devastating injury blow that will result in him missing the 2024 AFL season, former Western Bulldogs player Adam Cooney said he believes Smith would now leave the club. Smith was looking to bounce back after a lacklustre season by his standards in 2023, having seen his average disposals drop from 29 in 2022 to 23.

Before the injury Cooney was confident Smith would recapture his old form with the talent at his disposal, however, with the 23-year-old coming off contract at the end of next year Cooney believes he may seek a move elsewhere. “After a quiet season 2023 being coming into a contract season, it's devastating for Bailey," Cooney said on SEN Radio following news of Smith's injury. "I just feel like he had a point to prove coming into season 2024.

Cooney says the midfielder has fallen out of favour at times with coach Luke Beveridge but believes if he could recapture his form on his return and help the Bulldogs to the top, then it could persuade him to stay. “I feel like if he would have squeezed back into that midfield, then I think he would have been more inclined to stay," Cooney said of Bailey's contract.

“It depends on how they go. If things go really well and the Dogs finish top four, which they have the potential to if you have a look at this list, then he might think, ‘Well, everything's on track … I want to stay for another couple of years, see if we can get another premiership sign that two-year deal’.”

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