The AFL has reportedly sent an official warning to Geelong regarding star midfielder Bailey Smith's use of social media amid multiple controversial incidents.
Smith has been central to several online outbursts, with the latest involving veteran journalist Caroline Wilson acting as the league's final straw.
The budding superstar shared an Instagram story of an old episode of the Footy Show where co-host and personality Sam Newman targeted Wilson.
This post came shortly after the Cats' problematic Mad Monday, which saw speedster Max Holmes dress as Wilson, leading to major criticism and ultimately putting an end to the celebrations in its "current form".
Age reporter Peter Ryan has revealed that the AFL has put Smith on notice, and said he could be subject to punishment if he continues to post controversial content.
Smith was also involved in an altercation with Geelong Advertiser photographer Alison Wynd, during a club's training session earlier in the year.
"The AFL's view, according to competition sources who preferred to remain anonymous, was that although each incident may not in isolation deserve a sanction, the club needed to be aware a continued pattern of behaviour would be enough to warrant action," Ryan wrote.
"The league believed the posting of the YouTube thumbnail was a sign Smith had not heeded the lesson from the Mad Monday incident despite the Cats' efforts behind the scenes to educate the midfielder, who has been open about his mental health challenges."
Only a fortnight ago did the club defended the 24-year-old, but admitted there was a level of education that must be conducted.
"Every now and then, there's things that pop up that ideally don't, but we can only learn and educate from here our players and our people," Geelong GM of Football Andrew Mackie said on the opening day of the 2025 trade period.
Smith has yet to be punished for any posts.
