‘Absolute brain snap’: Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith reported for alleged headbutt
Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith could be facing a stint on the sidelines after he was reported for an alleged headbutt on Zach Tuohy.
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Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith could find himself in hot water with the Match Review Officer after he was reported for an alleged headbutt on Geelong utility Zach Tuohy during Friday evening’s match at Marvel Stadium.
After the final siren sounded for three-quarter time in Melbourne, Smith and Tuohy became embroiled in a heated confrontation while walking towards the dugout.
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During the brief fracas, the 21-year-old appeared to intentionally thrust his head at Tuohy while grabbing his jumper, making contact with his opponent’s forehead. The officiating umpire immediately reported Smith for the incident.
Tuohy emerged from the scuffle with a ripped jersey and a red mark on his forehead.
“Another little headbutt there from Bailey Smith, I’m not sure if it made contact but there were a couple either way,” footy icon Brian Taylor said on Channel 7 commentary.
“Now Bailey Smith has been reported here. I think I saw one happen before that as well. Wowee. A little split on the forehead as well. Oh boy. Goodness gracious me.
“A double whack there and both having a go at each other. What a way to end the quarter.”
Tuohy and Smith shared a hug after the Cats claimed a 12.11 (83) to 10.10 (70) victory, their third consecutive win.
“We’re just shaking our heads … we can’t believe what we’re seeing,” former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon said on Fox Footy.
“It’s so out of character for a young man who is almost the highest profile footy player in the competition.”
Brisbane Lions legends Jonathan Brown called it an “absolute brain snap”.
“The old Liverpool kiss, we don’t see it very often,” he continued.
“What’s the AFL going to say about that? They called Buddy Franklin’s act cowardly. Jeez. that’s worse.”
The Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane tweeted: “What the hell was he thinking?”
The Age’s Andrew Wu posted: “Bailey Smith is a smart player, but that’s not how to use your head.”
Another Jeremy Cameron masterclass helped Geelong stave off a brave Bulldogs counteroffensive in an action-packed contest.
Cameron finished the game with six goals to reclaim the Coleman Medal lead and guide the Cats to a hard-fought 13-point win after they almost saw their early 40-point lead totally whittled away when the Dogs got within five points in the final term.
But after playing an instrumental role in putting Geelong in a commanding position early in the game with three first-quarter goals, Cameron stood tall at the end as well, booting another three majors in the final term when the Bulldogs threatened to complete a remarkable comeback win.
The triumph saw Geelong re-enter the top four and string together three wins in a row for the first time this season, while the Dogs could now be tipped out of the top eight by the end of the round.
— with Ronny Lerner, NCA NewsWire
Originally published as ‘Absolute brain snap’: Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith reported for alleged headbutt
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