Police investigate alleged Gold Coast pub incident involving AFL star Bailey Smith

Police are investigating an alleged incident involving AFL sensation Bailey Smith at a Gold Coast pub after a man made a formal complaint a week after the Western Bulldogs’ Grand Final defeat in Perth.

Police are investigating an alleged incident at a popular Gold Coast venue involving AFL superstar player Bailey Smith.

The Courier Mail can reveal a formal complaint has been made to police after the alleged incident occurred outside the Burleigh Pavilion on the long weekend of the NRL Grand Final.

It’s understood Smith, a star player for the Western Bulldogs with over 330,000 Instagram followers, has not yet spoken to police in relation to the matter.

However a formal complaint has been made by a 22-year-old man.

It is understood the man alleges he was pushed by Smith in the early hours of October 4.

In a statement, police confirmed they are investigating an incident at the venue.

A formal complaint has been made by a 22-year-old man who alleges he was pushed by Bailey Smith in the early hours of October 4. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Police have received a complaint in relation to an (incident involving) a 22-year-old man at Goodwin Terrace around 12.10am on Monday October 4, 2021,” the statement said.

“The man was transported to hospital for treatment.

“Investigations are ongoing.”

An official police complaint was not made until some days after the alleged incident.

An AFL spokesman said they had been made aware of an incident involving a player for the Western Bulldogs, but at this stage would be taking no further action.

“The AFL has been advised by the Western Bulldogs of an incident involving a player on October 4,” a spokesman said.

Burleigh Pavilion is a hotspot for the young and glamorous on the Gold Coast. Picture by Richard Gosling

“On the basis of the information we currently have there will be no further action at this stage.”

While a spokesman for the Club confirmed a small group of players were present.

“The Western Bulldogs are aware of an incident which occurred in Burleigh Heads in Queensland on 4 October, where a small group of its players were present,” a Western Bulldogs spokesman said.

The Burleigh Pavilion at Burleigh Heads. Picture: Jerad Williams

“The Club has conducted its own investigation and is satisfied that no further action is required at this point in time.”

Smith’s manager has been approached for comment but is yet to respond.

Smith appeared as a guest on Gold Coast influencers Ashtyn Wood and Cartia Mallan’s Common Chaos podcast, which was released on Wednesday, to talk about “toxic masculinity, mental health and vulnerability”.

“We’re not into the whole scene, whatever we do, it doesn’t define us, we just want to be normal and respectful like everyone wants to be,” he said on the podcast.

“It’s a credit to the way we were brought up, as a friendship group we’re sick of that (idea that) guys only get on the sesh (party session) together and do all that.”

Smith shared a snippet of the podcast to his Instagram feed and turned off the function that allows users to comment on his posts.

Originally published as Police investigate alleged Gold Coast pub incident involving AFL star Bailey Smith