An Adelaide firefighter has gone public with a story about a friendly in-flight meeting with social media star Tammy Hembrow that he says ended abruptly, and he suspects a famous AFL face is the reason for the sudden silence.
A Chance Meeting at 30,000 Feet
Max Blanck, a firefighter from Adelaide, was travelling to Queensland for a powerlifting competition in early January 2026 when he found himself seated next to Hembrow. Initially, he didn't recognise the high-profile fitness influencer.
The interaction began with a simple act of kindness. After the onboard food service had passed, Blanck's youngest child complained of being hungry. He says Hembrow, noticing the situation, got up and returned with an extra sandwich for the child.
"I had the urge to introduce myself and we talked for the whole plane trip," Blanck recounted. The conversation flowed so well that by the end of the flight, the pair had exchanged phone numbers and made tentative plans to meet up on the Gold Coast.
Plans Made, Then Radio Silence
Blanck claims they discussed Hembrow showing his kids around the Gold Coast and catching up for a coffee. However, after the initial contact, the communication stopped completely.
"Everything was good and then abruptly just stopped and next thing you know there's Bailey Smith," Blanck said, pointing to the timing of his being ghosted.
His comments coincide with a period in late 2025 when Hembrow was frequently linked to the Geelong Cats AFL player, Bailey Smith. The pair were photographed walking arm-in-arm on a Gold Coast beach and reportedly shared a kiss in front of photographers. They also posted a picture from a dinner date in Melbourne in August 2025.
Proving the Story to Skeptical Mates
Blanck shared the story online, partly because his own friends and workmates didn't believe him. "I had to prove I wasn't lying," he stated, responding to a skeptical comment by sharing a screenshot of his SnapChat contacts which showed Hembrow's name saved.
He acknowledged the randomness of the entire encounter but said his main disappointment was for his children. "I'm only peed off that my kids were looking forward to seeing her again," Blanck said, adding that for him, as "a man from a small country town," it didn't matter as much.
This story emerges just after Hembrow and Smith clarified their relationship status in early January 2026. Contrary to widespread dating rumours, the pair announced they are entering the new year as friends. They teamed up with Tinder to promote 'Dating Sunday' on January 4, the dating app's busiest day of the year.
Hembrow, 31, said she had grown "so close" to the 25-year-old footballer after dating him a few months prior, with Smith adding they simply work better as friends.
