Bailey Smith showed his bad side when he was seen for the first time since asking the Western Bulldogs for a trade.
The 23-year-old AFL star joined football pals Charlie Curnow and Nick Daicos at a Vintage Cellars store in Melbourne on Friday to promote his Barry alcohol range.
Wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt, the midfielder raised both middle fingers to the cameras, while Curnow carried a wine crate filled with cans of Barry’s shochu vodka soda.
Smith teamed his look with jeans, blue and white sneakers and his signature mullet.
Last week, Smith officially informed the Western Bulldogs club that he wants to be traded, with players such as Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood reportedly interested in signing him next season.
Smith, who led the Bulldogs to a finals appearance in 2021, was forced to sit out the entire 2024 season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in training in December.
The 23-year-old’s future has been a recurring topic of conversation, and as the season progressed it became increasingly clear that he wanted to leave Whitten Oval.
When the Bulldogs parted ways with the club on Monday following last Friday night’s finals defeat to the Hawks, the club confirmed that Smith had requested a transfer.
Bailey Smith showed his bad side when he was seen for the first time since asking the Western Bulldogs for a trade
“Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith has informed the club that he wants a transfer this summer,” a statement said on Monday.
The 23-year-old has not yet indicated a preferred club.
‘Given Bailey’s immense talent, age and proven ability to influence matches, the club will work hard to ensure he is fairly compensated throughout the process.’
Smith has played 103 AFL games since being drafted by the Bulldogs in 2018.
Experts believe he will most likely end up in Geelong, but if that happens it could cause controversy.
The 23-year-old AFL star visited a Vintage Cellars store in Melbourne on Friday to promote his Barry alcohol range
He was seen with his football friends Charlie Curnow (right) and Nick Daicos (left)
Should the Cats sign him to play under coach Chris Scott, Smith’s ambassadorial deal with Cotton On will come under heavy scrutiny as the clothing brand is also the AFL club’s main sponsor.
Veteran AFL journalist Jon Ralph wondered how potential third-party deals could work out for Smith, given he has been an ambassador since 2022 and is “a brand himself, plus a social media influencer”.
Jay Clark, Ralph’s colleague at Fox Footy, added that the AFL wants to see “consistency in past earnings” compared to what Smith could potentially earn under the new contract arrangements at Geelong.
Smith made his AFL debut for the Bulldogs in 2019 against the Swans and quickly built a reputation as one of the competition’s best midfielders due to his athleticism.
Wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt, the midfielder chatted to Curnow, who was carrying a wine crate full of cans of Barry’s shochu vodka soda.
It all comes after Smith quietly split from girlfriend Gemma Dawkins earlier this year.
Bailey first confirmed their romance in May 2022 and they made their public debut as a couple at the 2023 Derby Day in Melbourne.
The couple have kept their relationship a secret since then, but are now believed to have split.
It appears they have unfollowed each other on Instagram. Bailey last shared a photo with Gemma in February, during a romantic trip to New York.
Smith, who starred during the Bulldogs’ run to the 2021 Grand Final, was forced to sit out the entire 2024 campaign after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in training in December
Smith made his AFL debut for the Bulldogs in 2019 and quickly became a fan favourite
Bailey’s friends have been supportive and they recently headed out together for a fun night out at Melbourne hotspot The Commons Collective.
The midfielder, who made his AFL debut in 2019, first confirmed he was in a relationship during an interview in May 2022.
In his humble confession, he said his girlfriend’s father had seen him in advertisements for fashion brand Cotton On, where he was wearing no shirt.
“It’s funny. My girlfriend’s dad drives by it every day,” he revealed. “It’s hilarious… It’s interesting, but I don’t pay too much attention to it. [but just focus on my footy].
Later that year, Bailey was spotted holding hands with Gemma during a walk.
The modest couple eventually made their public debut at the 2023 Derby Day in Melbourne.
AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith has reportedly split from his girlfriend of two years, Gemma Dawkins (pictured on Derby Day 2024)
