Sydney coach Dean Cox has taken ownership for Bailey Smith's strong performance on Saturday night.
In a third quarter where the Swans were rallying to overcome a deficit, Geelong's Smith had 18 disposals and a goal to keep the Cats in front by 14 points at the last change, helping them to 27-point victory.
He finished with 32 disposals and seven clearances, allowed to run free after being tagged by James Jordon in the first half, with his performance helping lift Geelong to 8-3.
"I think to be able to do it in the first half, James (Jordon) was really important for us, and to have a different look when a side's gaining ascendancy, that's the things you try and discuss," Cox said.
"'Do we drop this or spin more numbers through the middle of the ground?' It didn't work, I'll be the first to put my hand up with that.
"I think he had 18 (disposals) in the third quarter. That's a collective as well. I think that's part of the way our defence and our mids were beaten tonight."
Speaking on Fox Footy post-game, Smith spoke of the importance of striking a balnce in his life.
"I've got a lot of people that ground me. I'm separating my identity from who I am and what I do and distinguishing Bailey the footballer and Bailey the person, so I'm not putting too much weight into my performance," Smith said.
"There's so much more to life than this game so having perspective that there's no pressure to play well, just go out there and let it all out.
"(It's) about expressing yourself and putting it in perspective, it's just a game at the end of the day, so if I play well, I don't, who cares? Bailey the person is different to Bailey the player."
