Corey was drafted with Geelong's 8th pick in the 1999 draft as a 17-year-old. He has since built a reputation as a tall, hard-running midfielder with a useful ability to help clear the ball from tight, pack situations. Corey can, if needed, play defensively.
Corey graduated from John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School in 1999. He was a junior Australian representative in baseball when he was younger, but Corey gave baseball up to pursue a football career.[3] Outside of football, Corey is a quiet, humble person who does not particularly enjoy doing interviews saying even in Primary school speaking in front of the class wasn't his forte.[1]
Corey enjoys surfing, in Torquay with teammate Cameron Ling, as he finds it "pretty peaceful, it clears your head". His nickname, Smithy, comes from the fact that his surname is also a popular boys given name. Corey has two dogs, a Kelpie and a Staffordshire terrier.[1]
