Geelong superstar Bailey Smith has found himself embroiled in further controversy ahead of the Cats' preliminary final next weekend, taking aim at a photographer during Geelong's training session on Wednesday.
Geelong Advertiser photographer Alison Wynd was capturing training during the vision opportunity media had been invited to attend, with Smith allegedly taking exception to Wynd photographing him, raising his middle finger shortly after receiving treatment on the bench.
Smith allegedly asked Wynd to delete photos she had taken of him, with Wynd responding that she was just doing her job. Smith reacted by telling Wynd that she was “doing a f***ing s**t job”, according to The Age's Peter Ryan.
Bailey Smith has since apologised for his outburst and acknowledged his wrongdoings.
Wynd said on Thursday she had replied to Smith, thanking him for the message.
"In more than two decades of covering the Cats, I've never been spoken to like that by a player," Wynd told CODE Sports.
"I appreciate Bailey acknowledging that his behaviour was unacceptable. I just hope I can have a positive working relationship with him moving forward, especially as the Cats head towards, hopefully, the grand final.
"I'm looking forward to going back to covering the news, not being part of it."
Geelong key forward Shannon Neale doesn't believe Smith's antics, which continue to draw media spotlight, will affect the Cats' focus leading into the penultimate week of September football, nor impact how the group feels about him.
“I don't think [he pushes the limits],” Neale told media on Wednesday.
“He's great for us and brings such good energy and such different energy that we didn't have last year. I think he's relishing the environment and the culture of the club that allows him to be him.
“That's the exciting thing about him is when he's doing things that he likes… it shows on field.”
Neale conceded that he had not seen Smith's actions but highlighted the reciprocal nature between the media and players, particularly as the obsession with the AFL's stars intensifies in finals.
“I guess it's not [appropriate to target media at an open session]. I've heard word that something happened, but I didn't see it or know what happened. I can't really comment as I don't know the context,” Neale said.
“I don't speak for anyone else here, but when I come into this room, I think if I respect you guys, I'll get respect back. It's the relationship you should have in the workplace.”
The incident is not the first of its kind for Smith this year, who was involved in an altercation with a photographer earlier in the year and has been fined for raising the middle finger at cameras and fans on two occasions in 2025.
