Superstar Cat Bailey Smith concedes shoving the footy in an opponent’s face was “not a good act” as he faces a potential misconduct fine from the Match Review Officer.
The Geelong recruit was prolific his side’s blockbuster win over the Hawks, finishing with 28 disposals as he broke lines with his run and carry.
But Smith went to the top of the Hawthorn villain list during the second quarter with a bizarre interaction with Hawk Jarman Impey.
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As Smith was guided over the boundary line and out of bounds by Impey, the Cats midfielder pushed the ball into the face of his opponent, who then fell to the MCG turf.
A free kick was paid against Smith, who subsequently copped some attention from Hawthorn players and jeers from Hawks supporters.
“Oh! A little bit silly, not much in it. That’s a free kick, that’s enough,” Hawks legend Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy.
Co-commentator David King replied: “Well when you say there’s not much in it, it depends which side of the fence you’re on!”
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph told Fox Footy post-game Smith was likely to accept a $1000 misconduct fine as it is likely to be assessed as “unreasonable or unsportsmanlike”.
Asked on Fox Footy seconds after the final siren about the incident, Smith said: “It was a bit of carry on, I shouldn’t have done that.
“Mate, it’s Easter Monday, you get fired up. So a bit of a … nah I can’t swear, but not a good act.
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“But oh well, it’s just all part of it. I love it, I can cop it. It’s good fun, all in the spirit of the game.”
Cats coach Chris Scott said an incident like that was a “delicate line”, but insisted it was no need for concern or intervention.
“What we can’t do is say: ‘Hey, if someone bumps you when the ball is dead over the line, smack in the head with the ball.’ No don’t do that,” Scott told Fox Footy’s AFL 360 post-game.
“But it’s like do we need to say anything to him? He’s been interviewed post-game, he’s aware of it, it’s not like we need to go: ‘Hey Bailey, don’t give away free kicks.’ Even though he’s only 23, he gets it.
“Now if that happens every game, we’ve got a huge problem and we need to shift. But I think that’s the first thing of that nature I’ve seen from him in the hoops.”
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Smith in the second quarter came to the bench for a rest during a Geelong set-shot attempt. And as Cats fans cheered and Hawks fans booed, Smith gestured towards the crowd.
“You can carry on with whatever behaviour you like if you keep playing like that,” Dunstall said.
“The moment you stop playing like that, then those things become an issue.”
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna added: “Don’t upset him, don’t change him. It’s working, he’s not doing anything too serious.
“And everyone’s loving it. The whole crowd got involved every time he got the footy. Whether you love him or hate him, he’s been so much fun to watch.”
Scott declared that if “the crowd is into Bailey, it’s more likely to energise him”.
“If he wanted to rile up the opposition supporters, he’s succeeded there,” Scott said.
“They’re easier players to coach, the ones who want the big moment and thrive.
“He’s got to have times where he’s got to temper some of the ways he goes about it. But at the moment, our observation is that’s well and truly under control — albeit exciting.”
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