Bailey Smith hosted a "secret meeting" at his Geelong home with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, alongside Cats figureheads Chris Scott, Andrew Mackie and Steve Hocking regarding his controversial social media comment late last month.
Smith replied to a comment on Instagram that read "Nose beers after the game mate?", to which Smith responded "Na bro, after the flag maybe tho", which caught the attention of league powerbrokers, prompting a catch-up, according toย Channel 7's Mitch Cleary.
It is understood that Dillon organised the meeting to discuss the 24-year-old's questionable behaviour, and to have a firm conversation about where the lines must be drawn.
The AFL opted not to punish the Cats star.
Smith, on two occasions, has been sanctioned by the Match Review Officer (MRO) for "obscene gestures" earlier in the year.
Cleary reported that the purpose of the meeting between Dillon and Smith wasn't to "lecture" the midfielder, but "instead reiterating his importance as a role model as one of the faces of the competition".
"Dillon and the Cats officials outlined that should Smith's career trajectory continue with fewer off-field controversies, his marketability would only rise.
"Such was the importance of the meeting, Dillon opted to drive 90 minutes for the Surf Coast early on Thursday evening before heading to Marvel Stadium to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese."
Smith was a late-out for the Gold Coast victory at GMHBA Stadium, with the Cats prevailing by 24 points over the Suns.
The Brownlow Medal fancy was withdrawn due to hamstring tightness, but the Geelong coach is "very, very confident" he'll be available for selection against Essendon next week.
