Photographer ‘rattled’ by verbal tirade from Cats star
Oliver Caffrey |
Geelong star Bailey Smith has singled out a female photographer at Cats training in a heated exchange, demanding she delete images of him receiving treatment.
Smith walked towards the photographer, working near the boundary line during the open training session on Wednesday, after the images were taken.
One photo was of the All-Australian flipping the bird at the camera.
Smith has twice been fined by the AFL this year for raising his middle finger during games.
The 24-year-old, second favourite for the Brownlow Medal, launched an expletive-laden tirade at long-time Geelong Advertiser snapper Alison Wynd.
The incident happened in front of journalists, photographers and camera operators, who were invited into Wednesday’s session.
After walking away, Smith then turned around to direct more swear words at the photographer.
It is the second time the same photographer has been singled out by Smith this season.
Wynd recounted her interaction on Wednesday, noting Smith raged about how she was doing a “f***ing shit job”.
“It was a bit rattling,” Wynd told News Corp.
“Because he came back at me the second time, I felt a bit rattled by it.”
Smith has previously been verbally aggressive at Wynd, and a female ABC reporter, since arriving at Geelong last off-season from the Western Bulldogs.
AAP understands there were similar incidents with female reporters when Smith played for the Bulldogs.
Geelong coach Chris Scott was fuming earlier in the season when a conversation between he and Smith was broadcast at training.
Scott later said: “If they keep doing that stuff, we won’t let them in, because it was so misleading, the way that was reported.”
Smith has been among the Cats’ best players in his first season at the club.
Smith recently opened up about his mental health struggles in an All-Australian acceptance interview, detailing how he spent four weeks in a mental health facility.
Geelong forward Shannon Neale spoke to the media after training in a scheduled press conference where he was asked about Smith’s behaviour.
Neale wasn’t aware of the incident, choosing to comment on his own strategy when dealing with the media.
“I don’t speak for anyone else here, but my own mindset is like when I come in here into this room, if I respect you guys, I get the respect back and vice versa.
“That’s the relationship you should have in the workplace.”
But Neale did say Smith had been positive for Geelong in their push for a second premiership in four seasons.
“He brings such a good energy, such a different energy,” Neale said.
“He’s really relishing the environment, the culture of the club, allowing him to be him.
“That’s the exciting thing about him is when he’s when he’s doing things that he likes … it shows on field, he’s performing really well.”
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