Harris Andrews has described Bailey Smith as a “great competitor” in a classy response to an incident in the AFL grand final that saw the Geelong star slammed. Smith was relatively quiet in the Cats’ 47-point loss to Brisbane, and took his frustrations out near the end of the game by shoving Lions co-captain Harris and having a few words.
Smith was torched on social media considering Andrews was close to best on ground, while Smith wasn’t even close. Gerard Healy said on SEN radio: “Bailey Smith having an argument with Harris Andrews. It’s an argument Smith will never win with the scoreboard the way it is.”
Bailey Smith was slammed for an incident with Harris Andrews late in the AFL grand final. Image: Getty/Channel 7
Others on social media weren’t as kind, blasting the Cats player amid a horror second-half capitulation. But speaking on Channel 9 on Sunday, Andrews played down the incident and actually heaped praise on Smith.
Bailey Smith shoved Harris Andrews a number of times. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Former Bulldogs and Richmond player Nathan Brown asked: “Were you surprised late in the last quarter when Bailey Smith wanted to have a bit of a push and shove and conversation when you were so far in front?” Andrews responded: “It’s all part of the theatre of the game to be honest. Bailey is a great competitor and I really admire the way he goes about the game.”
However he did throw in a cheeky barb, saying: “I was enjoying myself out there. Probably a little bit more than Bailey. It is what it is and just get on with the job.”
Fans praised Andrews for his classy reaction. One wrote: “Can he be any more perfect.” While another commented: “Harris is all class.”
Harris Andrews close to best on ground in AFL grand final
Andrews is now a two-time premiership captain, and fast becoming one of the most-liked players in the AFL. He also won widespread praise on Brownlow night for an incredible speech when accepting the Jim Stynes Community Award. The Lions captain has been working to support people impacted by domestic violence, and trying to empower young men to reject violence.
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He also carved up on the field in Saturday’s decider. He finished second in Norm Smith medal voting with six, only behind runaway winner Will Ashcroft (13). Panellist Kate McCarthy awarded her three votes to Andrews, believing he was actually best on field.
“We’ve got a really special group of guys, special staff,” Andrews said after the grand final. “We wrap our arms around everyone. To see the adversity we’ve gone through this year and last year as well and to come out the other side, it’s phenomenal. It’s sort of dawning on me a little bit the journey we’ve been on since Fages got here … it’s awesome.”
Matthew Lloyd said on the Sunday Footy Show: “His ability to read the play is up there with anybody I’ve ever seen play the game. I’m talking right up there with the best readers in the game’s history.”