Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith has ensured simmering tension with the Western Bulldogs will continue after taking another unprompted swipe at his former club.

Smith relished the spotlight in his first encounter with the Bulldogs, starring in the Cats' 20.7 (127) to 16.17 (113) win at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday night.

The 24-year-old had was the centre of attention after lighting the fuse for the grudge match with several verbal barbs during the build-up.

Smith stood up under pressure, tallying 33 disposals and six clearances as the Bulldogs mostly opted against trying to ruffle his feathers.

After the siren, Smith made a pointed remark about the way Geelong had handled him since his bombshell trade move last October.

"That's the beauty of the club, is that they let you be yourself, and probably don't make you try and conform to something you're not, sort of like previous years," Smith told Channel Seven.

"So I'm just grateful that they're welcoming me."

Smith revealed he almost didn't play against the Bulldogs because of a shin issue that required multiple painkilling injections.

He admitted he felt plenty of pressure going into his first clash with his former side but relished the opportunity.

Smith finished the game with scratches on his body, saying the culprit was "probably Libba or something" after his tangle with Tom Liberatore in the final quarter.

But it was one of few times the Bulldogs went after Smith physically.

"I certainly shit myself for this game but it was almost reverse psychology with them not giving me attention," Smith said.

"So it was good, they didn't go after me and I loved it. I'm so glad we beat them."

Smith's latest performance continued his strong start to the season with Geelong, which has him firmly in Brownlow Medal contention.

"It's been fun. I'm just so grateful to be able to be welcomed with open arms after a bit of a shit year last year," he said.

"I'm just grateful and trying to repay them as best I can, and just outwork everyone we come up against, so I'm loving it."