Bailey Smith, the 24-year-old Geelong Cats midfielder, is the latest to create a shitstorm. He then followed up his astonishing display by directing a foul-mouthed tirade at News Corp snapper Alison Wynd during a training session at AAMI Park on Wednesday. Smith was treated to a massage on the boundary line at GMHBA Stadium. At that very second, Wynd had her camera on him.
At some point during the clash, Smith got in Wynd’s face and told her how unhappy he was with her performance, including saying, “You’re doing a fucking terrible job. After sharing a few choice words, he continued down the foul line. Soon after, he returned and let the photographer have it again, this time in unfiltered, colorful terms. Witnesses reported that Smith gave Wynd the finger, including the full middle-finger salute, when he figured out she was taking pictures of him.
This alarming incident is a stark reminder that Smith’s dangerous behavior persists. Just earlier this year, he was fined by the AFL for making usual hand signs in games. Most alarmingly, he has a documented history of proneness to outbursts of verbal hostility towards Wynd and another female spokesperson from ABC.
After last week’s training, Smith was keenly aware that his actions were inappropriate and he personally apologized to Wynd on Thursday morning. To their enormous credit, Geelong CEO Steve Hocking contacted Wynd personally to express his sorrow on behalf of the club. Wynd has spent the past 25 years as the Geelong Advertiser’s city shaper. Her achievements not just in sports journalism cement her legacy and impact on the world.
Shannon Neale, a fellow member of Smith’s club Geelong, tackled the issue head on. She used the platform to underscore the importance of a mutual respect and consequently safe workplace.
“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. That’s the relationship you should have in the workplace.” – Shannon Neale
Bailey Smith continues to be a shining light for his Geelong Cats during their hopeful finals run this year. Like the Warriors, they too are hell bent on winning their second premiership in only four years. His on-the-field performance will be just as critical to the success of the team in the future.
