Cats star Bailey Smith has opened up on his exchange with a fan at Gather Round, conceding he expects to be fine over the incident,.
The AFL is set to issue Smith with a please explain after the post-match incident in which he was filmed flipping the bird to spectators as Geelong headed back to the rooms.
The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane are reporting the AFL is set to reach out to the Cats so it can understand the motivations or background behind the interaction.
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Smith on Friday revealed what sparked his gesture.
“(It was) probably not my best moment but just walking off, getting round the fans and someone was getting stuck into Danger more than he should have,” he told Seven.
“I love the back and forth between the fans and if I had my time again I shouldn’t have done it. There is only so much you can cop. I expect a fine or something but don’t talk s**t to the skipper, I guess.
“I had a chat to Laura Kane this morning explaining the incident. They allow us to say our piece. It’s a bad look, so hopefully it’s not too hefty.
“I don’t like some of the stuff being said and you want to win with grace and that wasn’t anything towards Adelaide fans, just the one bloke making an effort to get stuck into Danger. “Just him at the Crows and a bit of personal stuff, but when you get into deeper details it was a bit far.”
Smith then declared he was in good place after battles with mental health.
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“12 months ago I was a bit off with the fairies, not right in the head. Footy is the one thing, that’s what people forget, they see the outside stuff, but footy is what makes me tick. I want to outwork everyone, I want to be the best I can and hopefully win a flag with these boys.”
Earlier this year, West Coast Eagles young gun Harley Reid was hit with a $1000 fine after he flipped the bird to spectators during the Eagles clash with Brisbane.
In the vision involving Smith, the spectator appears to lean over the fence railing to make comments to the star Cat after Geelong’s victory.
Smith has been in strong form since arriving at the Cattery, averaging 30 disposals, 6.3 tackles and 5.8 clearances a game.
Alongside hard-working midfielder Max Holmes and tough on-baller Tom Atkins, Smith was integral in instigating Geelong’s comeback from a 30-point deficit against the Crows.
Geelong coach Chris Scott lauded Smith’s impact since arriving at the club.
“We didn’t bring (Smith) in thinking he was just going to come in and be amazing for us right from the word ‘go’,” Scott said.
“We were going to give him some room to work his way into a season after a year off with an ACL, but he’s really helped us.”
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