AFL heartthrob Bailey Smith banned from wearing fashion item as Geelong recruit shines in first appearance
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith has been officially banned by the AFL from wearing a Nike headband after impressing footy fans during his first hit-out for the Cats.
Smith has made an immediate impact at Geelong, starring early in their AFL pre-season match against Hawthorn.
The 24-year-old midfielder is a key recruit for the Cats and he did not disappoint on Monday with plenty of early possessions at GMHBA Stadium.
It was Smith’s first hit-out since he needed a knee reconstruction late in the 2023 season. After months of speculation, he left the Western Bulldogs with minutes remaining in last year’s trade period via a four-club deal and joined Geelong.
Wearing an eye-catching white Nike headband, he played through the midfield and forward, showing no signs of his extended absence.
However, following the match the AFL issued a warning to Smith about wearing the headband.
Bailey Smith (pictured) has been banned by the AFL from wearing a Nike headband
Smith’s made an immediate impact for the Cats, starring in their pre-season match
‘The AFL has confirmed Bailey Smith’s Nike swoosh was permitted today, but from next week onwards he will have to turn that headband inside out,’ AFL reporter Tom Morris posted on X.
According to league rules, headbands must be unobtrusive and match the colours of the team.
Smith dominated in the first half before sitting out most of the rest of the scratch match, which the Cats won 15.16 (106) to 13.8 (86).
‘(It’s) exactly what we’ve seen all pre-season, he’s been really strong. We threw him around in a few positions and he was good,’ said Cats assistant coach James Rahilly.
‘He was anxious, as anyone would after having a year out. But he accounted (for) himself really well.’
Hawks midfielder Will Day also impressed as he returns from the collarbone injury that sidelined him at the end of last season.
Day was prolific and kicked two goals, reminding the Hawks what they missed last September when their season ended with a tight semi-final loss to Port Adelaide.
Hawks captain James Sicily was also back in action after needing off-season shoulder surgery and played some of the hit-out alongside fellow key defender Josh Battle, recruited from St Kilda.
Smith, who spent five seasons with the Bulldogs, is one of the sport’s most marketable players
Battle had to leave the ground with a leg knock and briefly returned, before heading off for the last few minutes.
Former West Coast backman Tom Barrass will have his first run with the Hawks on Thursday week in their official pre-season game against the Bulldogs.
Forward Ollie Henry kicked four goals in the second half of the hit-out for Geelong, while 2023 first-round draft pick Connor O’Sulivan impressed in defence.
