Bailey Smith speaks out over what unfolded with fan after Cats win

Geelong star Bailey Smith has spoken about what unfolded with a fan after his eyebrow raising gesture went viral on Thursday night.

Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith has spoken out about what unfolded as he and his teammates walked off Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

In a video posted to social media, which you can watch below, Smith could be seen looking up at a fan hanging over the rafters.

To celebrate Gather Round, new South Australian customers can get their first month of Kayo Sports for just $1 to watch every AFL game LIVE, plus access to over 50 of the world’s best sports. Limited time offer.

The 24-year-old clearly didn’t like what he was hearing from the individual wearing a Crows scarf and in the blink of an eye he hit the fan with two middle fingers.

Footage of the incident quickly whipped around the footy world and while many called out Smith over the act, countless fans came to his side and called out the spectator.

One wrote on X: “It’s about time fans realised that paying for a ticket doesn’t mean you can shoot your mouth off.”

On Friday Smith said the fan had taken aim at Geelong skipper, and former Crows star, Patrick Dangerfield.

“Probably not my best moment, we were just walking off getting around the fans and then someone got stuck into Danger a bit more than he should,” Smith said to Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary.

“I’ll expect a fine or something ... but don’t talk sh*t to the skipper.”

Smith said the fan had crossed the line by saying personal stuff about Dangerfield.

“Was stuff about him at the Crows, even just a little bit of personal stuff and that’s where it probably crosses the line,” Smith said.

“Like you can judge performance and that stuff as much as you like but when you start getting into some deeper details that’s a bit far.”

Smith revealed he had spoken to the AFL’s football operations chief Laura Kane on Friday morning and given his side of the story.

“I had a chat with Laura Kane this morning just explaining the incident, they’re good because they allow us to say our piece,” Smith said.

“I’ll just get a fine because obviously it’s just a bad look, which I completely agree with. Hopefully it’s not too hefty, might get Danger to pay for it.”

Bailey Smith flips off a fan.

Smith played a starring role for the Cats, racking up 35 disposals and kicking a goal as Geelong moved into fifth spot on the ladder.

Smith, who has never shied away from talking about his mental health battles, opened up on the mental hurdles he has overcome after rupturing his ACL during a training session in December, 2023.

The injury saw Smith miss the entirety of the 2024 season before he joined the Cats ahead of this season.

“Things are good now, 12 months ago I was a bit off with the fairies, not right in the head,” Smith told Channel 7.

As he battled the mental demons while recovering from his ACL injury, Smith said he never once considered hanging up the boots.

“Footy is the one thing, that’s what people forget, they see the outside stuff, but footy is what makes me tick,” he said.

“I want to outwork everyone, I want to be the best I can and hopefully win a flag with these boys.”

Bailey Smith makes raw admission

Smith had plenty of time on his hands during his recovery in 2024 and it was thanks to video game Fortnite he managed to keep his mind clear away from footy.

“Yeah, I grind everyday. It’s the one thing that keeps me sane, it’s either that or I’m on the drink,” Smith said.

“I love it. It’s the best. It keeps me sane. I’m an obsessive personality so whatever I do, I do to the fullest.

“That can be good and bad. As we know. As we have seen.”

Fortnite helped Bailey get through his recovery. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The midfield star says he is loving being back out on the field and says the weekend results aren’t what he hangs his hat on.

“I just love competing and I love running out with them. Win or lose, I don’t know, I judge my wins on what I do during the week, how hard I train, how disciplined I am and how locked in I am Monday to Friday,” he said.

“Work as hard as I can during the week so I enjoy the weekend, that’s the easy part.

“I judge my wins on the day-to-day basis.”

Despite being a dominating force on the field, Smith still has some work to do away from it after being caught out following the latest victory.

As the Cats players gathered in the rooms at Adelaide Oval to belt out the club song, Smith was sighted struggling to sing along.

Fellow midfielder Max Holmes, who was also among the visitors’ better performers with 32 touches, seven tackles and six marks, wasn’t forgiving of his new teammate after learning of his singing gaffe.

Holmes said after being told by Fox Footy: “You’re kidding? It’s a pretty basic song.

“I don’t know how you couldn’t know that.”

Judging by their start to the season, Smith will have plenty of opportunities to belt out the team song with the Cats currently fifth on the ladder at 3-2.

Originally published as Bailey Smith speaks out over what unfolded with fan after Cats win