Footy journalist Caroline Wilson has launched a blistering attack on Bailey Smith and the Geelong Football Club following the midfielder's controversial Mad Monday antics last year. Speaking on 3AW, the Channel Seven star branded Smith 'gutless' and accused him of making 'horrible comments about women'.
The controversy stems from an Instagram post Smith shared during Geelong's end-of-season fancy-dress party, where teammate Max Holmes dressed as Wilson. Smith captioned the image: 'Caro has never looked better,' accompanied by a sweat-droplets emoji often interpreted as sexually suggestive. Wilson said she initially did not understand the emoji's meaning and had to ask her daughter for clarification.
Wilson expressed disappointment in Geelong's response to the incident, noting that only AFL CEO Andrew Dillon personally contacted her. She criticised the club for taking on Smith, describing him as 'a deeply troubled guy with a history of terrible injury'. Smith also sparked backlash with a Brokeback Mountain reference in a photo with teammate Patrick Dangerfield.
Geelong subsequently apologised for the 'inappropriate' costumes and social media posts, announcing that future post-season events would not continue in the same form. The AFL issued a stern warning but faced criticism for failing to take further disciplinary action against Smith or the club.
