Nick Riewoldt says AFL players union's opposition to tougher drug policy exposed in Bailey Smith controversy
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt has criticised the AFL Players Association for its stance on the controversy surrounding Bailey Smith's 'nose beers' social media post, citing the league's lax drug policy.
The 24-year-old has been cautioned by the AFL for the post, and the league has informed Geelong that their superstar recruit—according to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary — is 'on his last warning.'
Smith has been a headline magnet since entering the AFL, but the hype has intensified this year in his first season with the Cats.
In 2022, Smith was banned for two matches after admitting to using an illicit substance.
A fan commented, 'nose beers after the game mate,' to which Smith replied, 'na bro, after the flag maybe tho.'
'Nose beers' is slang for cocaine.
The comment was later deleted, but not before it was widely circulated.
Outgoing AFL Players' Association CEO Paul Marsh defended Smith as a 'breath of fresh air' for the AFL due to his unfiltered comments, while AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said Smith was a role model and that his flippant comment was not up to the standard expected of the league's stars.
Riewoldt said the AFL's lax and secretive drug policy was partly to blame for the Smith controversy.
'I find myself torn by this. The AFL, from what I'm told, is pushing for a stricter drug policy, which aligns with Andrew Dillon's comments. The AFLPA is railing against that, so Paul Marsh supporting Bailey is consistent with what we've seen,' the Channel 7 AFL analyst said on Triple M's Mick in the Morning.
'The AFLPA essentially protects and condones players taking 'nose beers' — cocaine — under the current drug policy. There are so many loopholes in it.
'Until we get a stricter drug policy that comes down harder — particularly on players who take drugs recreationally, not because they have a problem — then spare me the fake outrage over social media posts.
'Paul Marsh said we're potentially only a few weeks away from a new code, but the AFLPA is reluctant to go harder due to concerns about leaked information and targeted testing. But again, spare us the outrage until you take real action.'
Marsh said that Smith made an 'error.'
'What I will say about Bailey is that I think he's a breath of fresh air for the industry. The industry is crying out for players to show their personality, and people flock to him,' he said.
'Sometimes players make errors of judgment — Bailey's made one here.'
Dillon said the AFL don't 'want to see it again'.
'Bailey is a role model and needs to be aware of that when engaging publicly or on social media,' he said.
'He made the comment, issued an apology, and I absolutely don't condone it. Drug use is serious and shouldn't be joked about. If he had his time again, I doubt he'd do it.'
Since joining Geelong in a blockbuster trade last off-season, he's been in the spotlight but has largely let his football do the talking.
The midfielder has surged into Brownlow Medal contention and looks set for his first All-Australian blazer.
However, he has also been fined multiple times for obscene gestures, including flipping the bird in consecutive weeks.
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