Geelong star Bailey Smith has voiced his disappointment with reports that the AFL isn’t considering dedicating a round of the season to men’s mental health awareness, ‘clowning’ the league for introducing wildcard round instead.
The champion midfielder took his opportunity following his side’s round six win over the Western Bulldogs to call on the AFL to do more to promote men’s mental health.
His comments came in the wake of the Elijah Hollands mental health episode during the Carlton versus Collingwood match, and the death of Jaryd Dawson, the brother of Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.
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Geelong star Bailey Smith. AFL Photos via Getty Images
“There’s one thing I want to touch on,” Smith said after the Cats game.7AFL on Friday night.
“I just want to shout out the Dawson family this week and Elijah Hollands last night.
“I don’t know if I’m out of pocket saying it, but I think it’s about time the AFL get a men’s mental health round.
“It just makes me feel sick during the week and hopefully the AFL community wraps their arms around them and we can do something.”
However, in the wake of those comments, reporter Tom Morris posted on social media that such a round is not in the league’s plans.
Instead, they have Spud’s Game, an annual St Kilda match in honour of club legend Danny Frawley, which focuses on men’s mental health.
Smith however isn’t copping that from the AFL.
The 25-year-old posted to his 422,000 Instagram followers a screenshot of Morris’ report with the caption “we can reward mediocrity and introduce wildcard round tho”.
The caption was followed with two thumbs up emojis and a clown face emoji.
Geelong’s Bailey Smith shushes at GMHBA Stadium. AFL Photos via Getty Images
The introduction of wildcard round has been a controversial one, expanding the finals series to a top 10.
Geelong coach Chris Scott has been vocal in his dislike of the change, and evidently Smith agrees.
A fan responded to Smith, suggesting Geelong should take the lead on a mental health round alongside other clubs, and potentially design a bespoke guernsey for it.
To which Smith responded: “Don’t (worry) we’re already on it gonna try align with a few other clubs too meow”.
The Geelong star has had his own well-documented battles with mental health issues.
While being awarded with his All-Australian blazer in 2025, Smith admitted he spent time in a psychiatric ward, as he rehabbed his torn ACL.
Bailey Smith of the Cats and Andrew Dillon of the AFL at the 2025 Brownlow Medal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Smith would join Geelong in the trade period at the end of 2024, and has emerged as one of the game’s top midfielders since, finishing third in the 2025 Brownlow Medal.
He has had a strong start to the 2026 season, averaging 32 disposals per game for Geelong across the opening six games.
Smith and the AFL have had their battles in the past, with league CEO Andrew Dillon personally visiting him last year to discuss his off-field behaviour and the importance of it given the size of his following.
In 2025 he was fined for flipping the bird at a fan during Gather Round and asked to apologise after verbally abusing a photographer at club training.
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