Overview
- League officials mailed a warning to Bailey Smith, his agent Paul Connors, Geelong CEO Steve Hocking and football boss Andrew Mackie, putting all parties on notice.
- The escalation followed Smith posting, then deleting, a YouTube thumbnail tied to Sam Newman’s past on-air attack on journalist Caroline Wilson, with the AFL flagging immediate penalties for any further indiscretions.
- Earlier interventions included a home meeting with AFL chief Andrew Dillon after Smith’s Instagram “nose beers” remark, as the league initially left discipline to the club.
- Geelong has apologised for its Mad Monday fallout and said post‑season events will not continue in their current form from 2026, with added education on standards.
- Smith copped fines for obscene gestures in April and apologised to photographer Alison Wynd after verbal abuse, even as he delivered an All‑Australian season and a high Brownlow finish.