'No way': Bailey Smith refuses to apologise for wild Gather Round gesture
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith said he's in "no way" sorry for flipping Crows fans the big double bird after his side's win to kick off Gather Round in Adelaide.
Smith was one of the Cats' best in the 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100) victory over the home favourites, before a fan captured the moment he made the gesture as the team left the ground.
On Friday morning, Smith refused to apologise for making the gesture, but conceded it was a "bad look".
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"It's just a bad look - sorry for the kids if they look at that sort of stuff," he told 9News Adelaide.
Smith flips a fan the double bird after the Cats' Gather Round win over the Adelaide Crows. Supplied
"But it's all part of it ... you dish it out, you get it back. I cop so much more than just two birds to a Crows supporter."
Smith confirmed he had already spoken to AFL football boss Laura Kane, and suggested he's expecting some kind of sanction.
West Coast gun Harley Reid was hit with a $1000 fine for flipping the bird to fans against the Lions earlier this year.
The 24-year-old said he couldn't repeat what the fan had said, but revealed it was directed at veteran Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield.
Patrick Dangerfield and Smith walking off the ground after the match. AFL Photos via Getty Images
"We're obviously in enemy territory, (but) there's only so much you can cop when they start saying personal slurs to Danger," he said.
"If I had my time again ... it's not a good look for the game as well, so I understand that and I've got to be better in that regard.
"But we've got to stand up for Danger. He's got an image to uphold so he probably can't do that sort of stuff, whereas I'm not a dad and I don't have three kids to be a good role model for.
"It's all part of the game. You dish it out to us, (we'll) give it back at times. I love it.
"It's nothing too personal on my end."
After missing the entire 2024 season with an ACL tear, Smith hit the ground running on his arrival at the Cats. He's averaged 30 disposals, 6.3 tackles and 5.8 clearances per game this season.
Geelong coach Chris Scott suggested Smith's rapid return to form had even surprised him.
"We didn't bring him in thinking he was just going to come in and be amazing for us right from the word go," Scott said.
"We were going to give him some room to work his way into a season after a year off with an ACL, but he's really helped us."
