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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMSmith swipes at AFL 'clowns' over mental health inactivity
SEN • April 22nd, 2026 3:59 pm
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith has called out the AFL over their unwillingness to introduce a Men's Mental Health Round.
Following the passing of Jaryd Dawson, brother of Crows skipper Jordan, and the ongoing incident surrounding Carlton's Elijah Hollands, Smith - who has opened up about his own mental health struggles in the past - called for a dedicated round to support the ongoing difficulties surrounding men's mental health.
"There's one thing I want to touch on," Smith told 7AFL on Friday night.
"I just want to shoutout 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.”
Speaking on Smith's advocacy, journalism Tom Morris reported that while the AFL is aware of the calls for change, it is unlikely that the league will introduce a round of that nature.
"The AFL hears that, but I don't think there's going to be a Mental Health Round anytime soon," Morris told Seven's The Agenda Setters.
"They prefer to do things like 'Spud's Game', they had a mental health forum in Adelaide, but it won't stop players like Bailey Smith pushing for it."
In response, Smith took to his Instagram, sharing his disapproval of the AFL's decision, accompanied by the use of a clown emoji, while mocking the league's introduction of the Wildcard Finals Round: "we can reward mediocrity and introduce Wildcard Round tho 👍👍🤡".
Smith posted once more, responding to a message stating that he and the Geelong Football Club are looking into combining with neighbouring teams to organise their own mental health dedicated round.
