AFL stud Bailey Smith demands ‘change the f**king date’ as Australia Day debate rages

AFL star Bailey Smith weighed in on the ongoing Australia Day debate, making his point blatantly clear where he stood.

Bailey Smith has thrown his support behind change the date. Photo: Getty Images and Instagram

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has come out to call for Australia to “change the f**king date” of Australia Day.

Australia Day marks the day the First Fleet hoisted the British flag at Sydney Cove in 1788, which makes it a day of pain for First Nations people as it marks the arrival of European colonisation.

It leads to debate, discussion and protests across the country each year on January 26.

The Bulldogs heart-throb made his opinion on the debate unequivocal on Wednesday night, writing: “Be mindful of how [you’re] spending tomorrow and show empathy towards our First Nations people.

“Change the f**king date.”

Australia Day has an interesting history. When it first emerged as “Australia Day”, it was July 30 1915 to raise money for the first World War effort.

By 1935, the states agreed to the name Australia Day and it wasn’t until 1994 that it was made a public holiday across the nation.

No fence sitting for Bailey Smith. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

All the clubs posted a message standing in solidarity with First Nations people while AFL personalities were behind the message.

In 2022, Geelong were the only team not to release a statement but the defending premiers posted late on January 25.

Reflecting on January 26th. pic.twitter.com/0LblAEGlrO

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) January 25, 2023

Essendon vice-president Dorothy Hisgrove tweeted: “To many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, there is little to celebrate today – rather the commemoration of a deep loss – loss of rights to land, loss of family and loss of the right to practice their culture.”

SuperCoach editor Al Paton wrote: “Proud of the Tigers for leading the conversation about the true history of our great (but imperfect) country.”

Giants star Phil Davis said: “We want to pride ourselves on being an inclusive country, so let’s not isolate people who do so much for the culture of this nation. The next step in our journey is to change the date of our national holiday.”

But while the messages were generally supported, some fans hit out at the call.

“Can’t we just let sport be sport,” wrote one fan on the Crows post.

Protesters are seen at a Survival Day march. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

On the Tigers post, a fan added: “This message is nice but feels like hollow sentiments without a commitment to supporting the change the date movement. Given the meaningful contributions that our club has made to supporting not only our Indigenous players but Indigenous communities, we can do better.”

Former AFL umpire Simon Harrison also called out the clubs for moving out of their lane.

“How about clubs stick to what they are there for … and that’s playing footy,” Harrison wrote.

“I have to say there are bigger issues in the Indigenous community at this time other than changing a date.

“Footy clubs are not necessarily the best organisations advocating for social change”.