Bailey Smith takes nude photo in his stride

Rising Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has exploded on social media, but a nude photo post brought him a whole new level of exposure.

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has set the record straight after a nude Photoshopped image of him circulated on Saturday.

The rising star of the competition posted the original picture on Sunday that was then used to breach his privacy.

Bailey Smith says this picture was Photoshopped to make him look nude.

The 20 year-old with the flying mullet, signature mo and chiselled physique has experienced an explosion in followers after some big-game finals performances.

He now has more than 293,000 followers on Instagram — only Dustin Martin with 338,000 and Buddy Franklin with 334,000 — have more.

He started the year with 130,000 followers but after a huge season, and igniting the Bulldogs in the finals against Brisbane and Port Adelaide, he has become hot property.

His post-goal celebration, copying NBA All-Star D’Angelo Russell’s signature “ice in my veins” action, went viral.

The Minnesota Timberwolves star gave Smith a shout out to his 3.5 million Instagram followers when he came across a video of Smith’s celebration.

Bailey Smith’s following on social media has exploded. Picture: Getty Images

After making his debut in 2019, the grounded midfielder, called “Bazlenka” on Instagram, said the social media attention was different.

“It’s certainly humbling but at the end of the day it doesn’t mean too much,” he said.

“It’s just one of those things that comes with football and some other stuff, so I don’t know.”