Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith accepts two-man ban for headbutt

A heated moment will mean a Western Bulldogs star and crowd favourite doesn’t play again until round 16.

Bailey Smith and Zach Tuohy tussle. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith admitted he let his emotions got the better of him after accepting a two-match ban for headbutting Carlton’s Zach Tuohy.

The 21-year-old midfielder won’t play again until June 30, missing the Bulldogs‘ clashes against Greater Western Sydney and Hawthorn after the club’s round 13 bye.

He and the club opted against appealing the suspension for headbutting Tuohy in Friday night‘s 13-point loss to Geelong after a scuffle that left the Cats veteran with a ripped jersey and a mark on his forehead.

Despite Tuohy declaring there was not much in the incident, Smith was charged after it was assessed as intentional conduct with medium and high impact.

Smith said the incident was out of character for him and he vowed to be better.

“I’m disappointed to be missing the next two matches and regret that I won’t be able to help my teammates on the field during that period,” he said.

“I understand what happened was outside of what’s expected of AFL players. Unfortunately, I let my emotions get the better of me, which is out of character for me.

Bailey Smith will miss the next two matches after the Club accepted the MRO’s sanction.https://t.co/dQ95HIasqU

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) June 6, 2022

“I am determined to come back in a couple of weeks to continue giving 100 per cent for my teammates and the club.”

The incident left commentators in disbelief.

“We’re just shaking our heads … we can’t believe what we’re seeing,” former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon told Fox Footy.

“It’s so out of character for a young man who is almost the highest profile footy player in the competition.”

Zach Tuohy with a mark on his forehead from Bailey Smith’s headbutt. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said post-match he didn’t see the incident, but the club chose not to appeal the two-game suspension on Monday.