Western Bulldogs’ Bailey Smith investigated by police over alleged pub incident

Just days after becoming the most popular AFL player on Instagram, Bailey Smith is being investigated over an alleged incident.

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith is reportedly being investigated by police over an alleged incident at a popular Gold Coast venue.

The Courier Mailreports a formal complaint was made to police over the alleged incident that took place outside the Burleigh Pavilion on the long weekend of the NRL Grand Final.

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Smith is yet to speak to police about the matter, according to the Courier Mail.

However, a formal complaint has been made by a 22-year-old man, who is understood to allege he was pushed by Smith in the early hours of October 4.

Police have confirmed they are investigating an incident at the Burleigh Pavilion.

“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,” police said in a statement to the Courier Mail.

“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.

Bailey Smith is being investigated over an alleged incident. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL said was aware of the incident but would not be taking any further action at this stage.

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

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

The Western Bulldogs have been contacted for comment.

The Bulldogs confirmed to the Courier Mail several players from the club were present at the venue.

“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 spokesman said.

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

Smith has played just three seasons in the AFL but at 20 years of age has already become the league’s social media sensation.

Despite not having as big a profile in the game, Smith, who sports a flowing mullet and regularly posts shirtless photos showing off his six pack, this week overtook Dustin Martin and Buddy Franklin to become the most followed AFL player on Instagram. He currently has 341,000 followers on the platform.

Speaking on the Common Chaos podcast with fellow social media stars Ashton Wood and Cartia Mallan this week, Smith opened up on all that has come with his new found fame, including a viral fake nude photo drama which circulated on social media.

Bailey Smith is the most followed AFL player on social media. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

He said that the younger generations “view you in this persona or as an object” with some insane situations as a result of his success.

Smith spoke about the ordeal of a fake nude photo of him being circulated on Grand Final day and also revealed he had received an offer in a DM to be paid $50,000 to have sex with someone.

The midfielder said his friendship group prided itself on not being defined by partying

“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.”

He admitted that it’s difficult to know who to open up to having garnered all this attention at such a young age.

Smith has spoken about the struggles of being in the public eye. Photo: Instagram

“I don’t know if it’s a good coping mechanism but I just don’t deal with it,’’ Smith said.

“I acknowledge it, I know it’s there, it is the elephant in my brain but I ignore it as much as I can. The things that ground me each day, I go get my coffee, going to the beach from 10 till 2, my best friends, getting dinner. I focus on what I want to do each day and what I want to get out of myself.

“I don’t open up that much because I’m scared of being judged and it’s just something that’s got to do with me. Fear of just being taken advantage of, as well. You can’t just open up to anyone. So I don’t do that but it’s been so refreshing over the past couple of days just to talk to you guys and not feel alone.

“There are so many people around you and wanting this and that from you, it’s so easy to feel empty inside, as dark as that sounds.”