Bailey Smith claim rejected as Geelong player could be banned over nasty act

Yahoo

22-04-2025

Geelong coach Chris Scott has rejected suggestions he needs to pull Bailey Smith into line after the young star drew the ire of fans in their win over Hawthorn on Monday. Smith could be facing a sanction from the AFL for the second week running after slamming the ball into Jarman Impey's face during the tense win at the MCG.
Smith caught Impey completely unawares when he thrust the ball into the side of the Hawthorn player's head after it had gone out of bounds. Players have received a $1000 fine for similar incidents in the past, and the AFL will likely take a dim view of Smith's actions. Some have even suggested Smith could be banned if the match review officer deems his act to be 'striking'.
He was also fined $1000 last week for flipping double middle fingers at an Adelaide Crows fan who had verbally abused Cats captain Patrick Dangerfield post-match. On Monday, Smith also played up to the crowd, goading Hawthorn fans by cupping his hand to his ear multiple times when they jeered him.
Smith could also come under scrutiny for a hand gesture directed towards Hawthorn fans when he was booed while running off the ground. It was unclear on the broadcast footage whether he raised his middle finger again.
With Smith facing $2000 worth of fines in two weeks (and maybe more), questions were asked of Scott in his post-match press conference whether he needs to rein in his young midfielder. But the coach was adamant in his response.
"Touching a footy on someone's face - I hope he's OK - but I think it's so minor I wouldn't worry about it too much," he said. "We don't condone it but we're much more interested in a pattern (of behaviour). Even the fact I've spoken about it too much probably gives it too much air time.
"I don't buy into it too much (the theatrics with fans) but my suggestion is that the crowd loved it, the AFL loved it, and I reckon Bailey loves it as well. If the suggestion is that we should try to make him boring and vanilla, then we'll rail against that."
Impey was also booed by Geelong fans despite being the innocent party in the clash with Smith, who later conceded he did the wrong thing. "It was a bit of carry-on, I know," Smith said on Fox Footy.
"I shouldn't have done that, but it's Easter Monday, I get fired up. It's not a good act but it's just all part of it. I get hit and cop it. It's just good fun, all in the spirit of the game."
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Smith played a starring role against Hawthorn on Monday with a team-high 28 disposals and 630 metres gained. The 23-year-old continues to build on his partnership with fellow dasher Max Holmes.
"I wouldn't necessarily coach anyone to behave exactly the way that Bailey does, but he kind of is what he is, and our job is to sort of shape him," Scott said. "We knew that he was going to come in and was going to be a bit different to players that we've had in our system before, but we made a commitment to embrace it and kind of help. He's 23, by the way. He's going to evolve."
High, intentional.
— Paul C (@LongPointy) April 21, 2025
Bailey Smith using the footy to hit someone in the face is as same as using his arm or hand. That might be a one week suspension in modern footy. Be interesting to see if the tribunal looks at it, they should.#AFLCatsHawks pic.twitter.com/dQLcu0DDNr
— Carlton News & Stats (@UptheBaggers) April 21, 2025
I agree with this Mitch.Question - can you strike someone with a football? I know Bailey Smith's action on Impey is on the minor end but if you remove the football, it's essentially a striking action.
— Phill T (@philltee) April 21, 2025
That should be considered a strike by Bailey Smith, and could easily have concussed Impey.Should get 2 weeks. A fine is unacceptable.
— 🤠 Racin' Joe 🏎️ ⚫🔴⚫ (@Twittter_Suks) April 21, 2025
with AAP