Bailey Smith, a star player on the Australian Football League team Geelong Cats, has recently made headlines. His high-hat criticism of city planning wasn’t enough for paid photographer Alison Wynd, and the exchange got heated. At a WSDOT training workshop known as a “vision chance,” Smith challenged Wynd. He was furious that she had snapped photos of him getting treated. The attack happened in view of many other reporters and camerapeople. It set an example that was the antithesis of the professionalism and mutual respect that should characterize a positive sports environment.
Smith, incensed, marched straight to Wynd and insisted she erase the pictures that she’d snapped. To his credit, Bruce’s frustration did not explode into a blinding tornado of f-bombs. Witnesses relate that he screamed, “Did you take enough f***ing pictures now? This was the second occasion in recent weeks that Smith had singled out Wynd, exposing an outrageous and persistent pattern of harassing behavior.
Background of the Incident
Long-time documentary photographer for the Geelong Advertiser, Alison Wynd, took this on faith for her town. She wasn’t just met with this type of verbal aggression from Smith on this occasion, but at another Geelong training session. The latest encounter comes on the heels of Smith’s earlier fines from the AFL for inappropriate gestures during games, including raising his middle finger.
Smith, who turns 24 this week, has established himself as a serious Brownlow Medal contender. He’s done this in the past, openly being hostile and threatening to female reporters and photographers. This incident has sparked outrage among many in the sporting community over the level of behaviour deemed acceptable from players.
Reactions from the Sports Community
A low point for Geelong coach Chris Scott during this season. What really angered him was that a private exchange between he and Smith was played over the speakers during practice. He remarked on the misleading nature of media reporting, stating, “If they keep doing that stuff, we won’t let them in, because it was so misleading, the way that was reported.” Jimmy’s above comment is symptomatic of the concerns that a lot of people have about how these player/media relationships are being controlled.
Shannon Neale, one of Smith’s fellow teammates, spoke boldly about the need for respect on and off the field. He noted, “I don’t speak for anyone else here, but my own mindset is like when I come in here into this room, if I respect you guys, I get the respect back and vice versa.” Her statement serves as a much-needed reminder for professionalism from players and media members, too.
Implications for Media Relations
This incident has implications not just for Bailey Smith but for the entire sports community regarding how athletes interact with media representatives. This exchange reveals something deeply important—setting the professional line and guarding those who do the crucial work of covering sports.
Wynd’s experience should remind us all that photographers and journalists still face intimidation and interruption as they go about their work. As she vented about the difficult interaction, she said, “Well, you’re doing a f***ing shit job.” This feeling is shared by so many in the industry who, like Michelle, work to keep cool under fire, professionalism taking the high road and all.
