The quest for romance through digital dating platforms appears to be yielding positive results for Australian Football League sensation Bailey Smith. The 25-year-old athlete, whose foray onto Tinder last summer captivated fans, was recently observed sharing a casual morning rendezvous with an unidentified blonde woman along the picturesque Manly promenade in Sydney.
A Casual Coastal Stroll Sparks Speculation
Cutting a relaxed figure for his seaside outing, Smith opted for a crisp white T-shirt paired with knee-length navy blue shorts. His choice of footwear included sneakers worn with white socks pulled up over his shins, completing a laid-back yet stylish ensemble. Beaming with apparent contentment, the AFL hunk strolled comfortably alongside his companion, with the pair even pausing to share a refreshing drink during their promenade walk.
Striking Resemblance to Previous Partner
Smith's mystery date bore a remarkable similarity to influencer Tammy Hembrow, with whom he previously collaborated on a Tinder promotion campaign. The blonde companion showcased a trim and taut midriff in a form-fitting black sports bra, continuing her activewear theme with loose-fitting track pants and black sneakers. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and she accessorised with a navy blue jumper carried casually over her arm.
While observers noted no overt romantic gestures between the two, both individuals appeared genuinely pleased to be in each other's company, sharing smiles and comfortable conversation throughout their beachside encounter.
From Romance Rumours to Official Friendship
The sighting comes several months after Smith and Hembrow made headlines with their highly publicised dating stint, which culminated in an unusual social media announcement. Taking to Instagram in December, the AFL star cheekily revealed that he and the 31-year-old influencer had decided to "make it official" as friends rather than romantic partners.
"I'm actually hard launching someone today," Smith told his followers in a video that quickly raised eyebrows across social media platforms. "Hey guys. So Tammy and I have decided to make it official. We're gonna be each other's Tinder coaches this summer."
The announcement followed months of persistent speculation about their on-again, off-again relationship status, with Smith explaining their unconventional arrangement: "Yep. Now that we're just mates who better help you with your dating game than a friend."
Mixed Reactions to Tinder Collaboration
The first fruits of their partnership with the popular dating app, however, received decidedly mixed reviews from followers and fellow influencers alike. Shortly after Christmas, Hembrow shared a video showing Smith in dating coach mode, offering her tips about opening lines for messaging potential matches on dating platforms.
The clip elicited a flurry of critical comments from viewers, with many describing the content as "awkward" and unconvincing. Influencer Simone Anderson offered particularly pointed commentary, simply stating "Fab ad" accompanied by multiple crying laughing face emojis—a response that prompted further scepticism from other followers.
One fan responded directly to Anderson's cheeky remark with "Stop lying," while others expressed more blunt assessments of the promotional material. "This looks so awkward," commented one observer, with another echoing the sentiment by suggesting "This has to be a joke."
Perhaps the most scathing critique came from a follower who declared the advertisement "the worst thing I've ever seen in my life," to which another respondent pointedly noted that Hembrow was "still being paid a lot of money for it."
Despite the mixed reception to their commercial collaboration, Smith's recent beachside appearance with his mystery companion suggests his personal journey through the world of digital dating continues to generate interest and speculation among fans and observers alike.
