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 while a trainer worked on his back on a massage table.
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 25-year veteran snapper Alison Wynd, working for the Geelong Advertiser.
The incident, which played out over a period of about two minutes, happened in front of journalists, photographers and camera operators who were invited into a “vision opportunity” session by the club.
Veteran photographer Alison Wynd said it is the second time in recent weeks she has been targeted by Smith. (Getty Images: Michael Willson/AFL Photos)
After walking away, Smith then turned around to direct more swear words at the photographer.
Wynd had earlier taken photos of Mitch Duncan receiving treatment on the same table in the dugout on the perimeter of the playing surface.
“He said ‘well you’re doing a f***ing shit job’,” Wynd told News Corp of her interaction with Smith.
“It was a bit rattling. Because he came back at me the second time, I felt a bit rattled by it.”
It is the second time Wynd has been singled out by Smith this season, shouting “Did you get enough f***ing photos yet?” at her as he walked up the race a few weeks ago.
Smith has also previously been verbally aggressive at another female reporter at Geelong training and AAP said there were similar incidents 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.”
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,” he said.
“That’s the relationship you should have in the workplace.”
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.”
AAP/ABC
Discussion about this post