Lions co-captain Harris Andrews couldn’t stop himself from inadvertently dropping a perfect sledge after a run-in with Bailey Smith during Brisbane’s Grand Final win on Saturday.
The star full back was at his best as the Lions blew the Cats away in a second half barrage to win by 47 points at the MCG.
With the result already certain and Brisbane piling on goals late in the contest, Andrews was involved in a surprise confrontation with Smith.
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Andrews on Sunday added another layer of spice to the incident after a blunt comment about the Cats superstar.
Speaking from the Lions’ family day event at Brunswick Street Oval in Fitzroy, Andrews admitted he enjoyed himself more than Smith as the Lions went back-to-back.
“It’s all part of the theatre of the game to be honest with you. Bailey’s a great competitor and I really admire the way he goes about the game,” Andrews said on Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show.
“I don’t know if that moment got caught on camera, but I was enjoying myself out there. Probably a little bit more than Bailey was.
“It is what it is. We just got on with the job.”
A smiling Lachie Neale chimed in at one point to say, “I reckon it did mate” when Andrews asked if his run-in with Smith has caught by cameras.
It was a dirty day for Smith, who had his white headband knocked off when he was run down and tackled by Cam Rayner in the last quarter.
Smith also looked filthy as he exchanged words with Andrews in the closing stages of the match.
It wasn’t a good look for Smith given Geelong were trailing by more than 50 points at the time and Andrews was one of Brisbane’s best players.
Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy said on AFL Nation: “Bailey Smith having an argument with Harris Andrews. It’s an argument Smith will never win with the scoreboard the way it is.”
It came after Smith was also criticised for appearing to pull out of a contest before the ball ended up in Neale’s hands.
The dual Brownlow medallist then went on to kick an iconic goal on the run from 50m out in a gut punch to the Cats.
“It’s all falling apart for the Cats,” Brian Taylor said on Channel 7.
Smith gave props to the Lions via Instagram post game, conceding that he and the Cats were beaten by the better side.
Neale finished with 17 disposals, three tackles and a goal from his second half cameo.
It was a different story for Geelong’s biggest stars.
Brandon Starcevich was brilliant at locking down Patrick Dangerfield, until he was sidelined with concussion.
The Geelong skipper had just 10 disposals and minimal impact on the game following a heroic preliminary final.
The Herald Sun gave Dangerfield a 1/10 player rating and said “Danger lost his superpowers”. Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson said: “It’s not quite coming together for him at the moment.”
Ollie Dempsey can hold his head high after kicking four goals, and Max Holmes was solid with 33 touches.
Knowing Chris Scott and the Geelong, it won’t be long until the Cats are back on grand final day, but the second half of this decider will be one to forget.
Dangerfield was classy when congratulating the Lions in his post-match press conference.
“Be proud, hold your heads up high,” he said.
“We don’t, as Australians, always celebrate those who come second all that well.
“But there’s plenty to be proud of today. Beaten by a better side, but very proud of our team.”
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