Smith also verbally abused a photographer from the Geelong Advertiser after she took photos of him receiving treatment at the Cats’ training session, before he apologised to her by text message.
In August, Smith opened up on the mental health challenges he faced in 2024, revealing he’d spent several weeks in a psychiatric facility, a moment which drew widespread support from the footballing world.
His on-field excellence has been a driving force of Geelong’s first grand final appearance since 2022.
He is widely expected to poll a large tally of votes in the Brownlow Medal, following a stellar first season for Geelong after leaving the Western Bulldogs at the end of last year.
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But Smith thinks Collingwood star Nick Daicos will win the medal on Monday night.
“I missed three games,” he said. “I was injured and then I was crook for one, one I couldn’t be bothered.”
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