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Bailey Smith entered the AFL as a cleanskin. He has told associates he had never touched illicit drugs until October of last year, in the period following the grand final.
Only Smith can explain what precisely triggered his descent into an “illicit substance” for a period late last year. But if his history as a meticulous preparer makes his indulgence surprising, we should not be shocked that he would be captured on video and in photographs holding the bag, so to speak.
For Smith is among the absolutely most photographed and Instagrammed footballers in the game, with a social media following that dwarfs that of many clubs; his looks, hair and cool charm have seen “Bazlenka” - his social media handle - become a favourite of youth, irrespective of club or code allegiance.
Smith’s image on social platforms gives the impression of a hip, slightly edgy and confident footballer with a mullet for the ages. But the reality - as Smith has freely admitted - is that he’s a 21-year-old who has struggled with mental health issues, in the form of anxiety.
That Smith has been hoist on - not quite his own - social media petard is embarrassing for both the Bulldogs and the AFL. The former will face questions about their culture - the lot of clubs when players muck up in public (see Melbourne over the past five days), while the AFL will have their welfare-based drug policies critiqued yet again.
Last night, Smith and his camp received the positive news that clothing giant Cotton On, which uses the popular player as a brand ambassador, would retain him.
Bailey Smith was forthright in his statement after pictures surfaced on social media.Credit:AFL Photos
It may or may not have influenced Cotton On’s call, but it was clear that the damage to player, club and AFL had been mitigated – at least partially – by Smith’s own response, which is the strongest and most honest by any recent AFL player who has been caught in a drug imbroglio of his own making.
Smith, importantly, fessed up to his sins and he did this almost immediately, admitting to the “illicit substance”, expressing shame and vowing to improve himself. Within several hours of the still photographs of him holding the white powder (the video came later) surfacing, Smith had put out his contrite confession, in concert with the club, killing the video and photographic birds with one stone.