Bailey Smith hosts secret meeting with AFL CEO and Geelong bosses
AFL
boss Andrew Dillon drove to the home of Bailey Smith for a secret fireside meeting on Thursday night amid the
Geelong
superstar's recent headline-grabbing indiscretions.
7NEWS understands Dillon and Smith were joined by Cats coach Chris Scott, chief executive Steve Hocking and head of football Andrew Mackie at the Surf Coast property.
Dillon organised the meeting after
Smith's social media post last month alluding to illicit drug use
saw the Cats and AFL hold robust conversations over the 24-year-old's behaviour.
The AFL opted not to penalise the explosive midfielder for the now-deleted Instagram comment, instead warning Smith that he would be sanctioned should a similar incident arise.
Smith was fined for two separate 'obscene gestures'
to fans during Gather Round and Easter Monday matches this year.
Those with knowledge of Thursday's intimate catch-up insist Dillon didn't lecture Smith, instead reiterating his importance as a role model as one of the faces of the competition.
Dillon and the Cats officials outlined that should Smith's career trajectory continue with fewer off-field controversies, his marketability would only rise.
As well as a playing contract worth more than $850,000 per season, the Brownlow Medal contender has lucrative partnerships with Cotton On, Monster Energy, McDonalds, Stuff That Matters and his own alcohol label Barry's.
Such was the importance of the meeting, Dillon opted to drive 90 minutes for the Surf Coast early on Thursday evening before heading to Marvel Stadium to meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The PM enjoyed the hospitality at the Western Bulldogs-Hawthorn clash alongside Hawks president Andy Gowers — a premiership teammate of Dillon's at VAFA club Old Xaverians.
With pressure rising on his football department in recent months, Dillon has made a concerted effort to be more personable with his connections to key figures.
However, the league CEO meeting at the home of a star player, with his coach, CEO and football boss, is seen as extremely rare.
Dillon met with Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, Richmond coach Adem Yze and Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at the Graham Hotel in South Melbourne in early May.
He followed by meeting coaches Simon Goodwin (Melbourne), Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne), Chris Scott (Geelong) and Brad Scott (Essendon) at Fitzroy's Builders Arms Hotel a fortnight later.
Geelong have been the subject of an
ongoing AFL audit this season into third party payments
that is expected to result in a fine for administrative lodgement errors — not explicit hidden deals — in the next fortnight.
Chris Scott was forced to include part of his salary
from his external arrangement with club sponsor Morris Finance
into the Cats' soft cap earlier this season.
Smith was a late out for Geelong's win over Gold Coast on Saturday
with a hamstring concern he picked up in the win against West Coast six days earlier.
He is expected to be in the frame to play against Essendon at the MCG next week.
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Photo: Michael Klein The last State of Origin match was between Victoria and South Australia in 1999, and it remains to be seen what state or amalgamation of states would take on Victoria if the concept is revived. 'We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state,' WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti added. 'I know many of the players are actually excited, particularly those based over east, are very keen to play for their state, so I think there's a huge push from the players. 'Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season ... the clubs are already playing pre-season games,' Saffioti said. 'And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there ... it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.' Originally published as 'Kidding ourselves': Debate erupts over AFL's plan to revive State of Origin
