- Geelong sealed a seven-point victory against Hawthorn on Easter Monday
- Bailey Smith was booed by fans following a controversial mid-game moment
Bailey Smith has been blasted by Hawthorn fans after he bizarrely appeared to shove a football into the face of Hawks defender Jarman Impey.
Geelong and Hawthorn played out a hugely entertaining and fierce clash at the MCG on Easter Monday as Chris Scott’s side sealed an 12.14 (86) to 11.13 (79) victory to climb to sixth in the ladder. Patrick Dangerfield and Shaun Mannagh starred for the Cats, booting three goals, while Jack Gunston and Marbior Chol were equally impressive, bagging two hat-tricks each for the Hawks.
Smith, 24, could now find himself in a bit of bother with the AFL tribunal, according to some commentators, following the ugly moment.
The midfielder had also landed in hot water with the tribunal only a week ago after being slapped with a $1000 penalty for flipping his middle finger up at a spectator, who had allegedly berated captain Dangerfield with some ‘unrepeatable’ comments.
Smith, a former Western Bulldogs star, who moved to the Cattery in the off-season, had attempted to gather the footy before it crossed over the boundary line, before receiving a little bump from Impey.
While it was a fairly innocuous bump, Smith appeared to see read, throwing the ball straight into the side of the Hawks star’s face, as he turned his back on the Geelong midfielder.
Impey dropped to the floor before a fracas broke out on the touchline, with Smith tangling with Conor Nash.
There has been some conjecture among footy experts over whether Smith should cop further punishment for the incident.
Speaking to SEN, Gerard Whateley said: ‘I would fine him for that… I don’t think you would want to wave that through.’
Meanwhile, Matthew Richardson told 3AW: ‘He didn’t need to do that.’
Smith subsequently copped a large boo from sections of the crowd as he was subbed off to the bench.
But their taunts did not go unnoticed, with the Cats star cupping his hand to his ear before gesturing to the spectators inside the MCG with his hands.
More to follow…
