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Cornes: How much more will Bailey Smith get away with?
SEN • October 21st, 2025 9:36 am
Where to from here for Bailey Smith and Geelong and how much more can the star player get away with after being formally warned by the AFL over a recent spate of behavioural issues?
Yesterday it was reported that Smith will receive punishment from the AFL if his negative social media activity continues.
Smith has been at the centre of numerous social media scandals, most recently sharing an Instagram story displaying a photo of an episode of The Footy Show, within which former AFL personality Sam Newman berated journalist Caroline Wilson.
This came just days after Geelong’s Mad Monday antics, where Max Holmes’ decision to dress up as Wilson and Smith’s ongoing Instagram use during the Cats’ celebrations caused major criticism and the ultimate cancellation of future Mad Mondays.
Both Geelong and the AFL are yet to sanction the 24-year-old over his social media use and Kane Cornes says it’s time for Smith to pull his head in.
“Where does this leave Geelong and the AFL’s confidence I them being able to handle Bailey Smith – not great,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“They’re obviously slightly worried about it. The fact Caro has been as strong as she has and put it on the Cats, she put it on Geelong.
“How much will they continue to let him get away with? It’s forced them to act. What happens if there’s another social post?
“In isolation these aren’t hanging offences, what’s the next level is it a fine?
“Largely he is terrific for the game, 90% - maybe more - of what he does is great for the game and the club. When it gets personal about other people, I think there’s an issue.”
In the aftermath of the Mad Monday saga, there are conflicting reports when it comes to apologies.
Geelong and Steve Hocking insist they had contacted Wilson, a claim she has contradicted.
Hocking said they had apologised to Caroline Wilson.
“No-one from Geelong has apologised to me,” Wilson said on her podcast.
“It’s a bit naughty to say they have. They don’t know what to do with this kid, he’s out of control.”
Smith has gone public with the struggles he has experience when it comes to his mental health and the pressure of being in the spotlight, which, according to Cornes, adds an additional layer of complexity to the ongoing situation.
“The things that’s difficult to comment on is when mental health comes into it,” Cornes said. “How do we comment around players?
“Because you have a mental health issue, which you’re open about, it doesn’t excuse being disrespectful.”
Two weeks ago Hocking spoke on SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim during which he shed light on the focus and pressure Smith delas with on and off the field.
There was one thing the CEO spoke about that Cornes took issue with.
"When you come off-field, the interest in him is just unbelievable,” Hocking said. “He has a different relationship with social media than our age profile. I don’t understand it at all, but he works that exceptionally well.”
It exposes a gap in Hocking’s role.
“Hocking needs to start understanding social media,” Cornes said.
“You’re the CEO of a footy club. Your players live in this world. It’s a key component of your job to do that, get your head around it.”
