Bailey Smith Slams AFL as 'Clowns' Over Mental Health Round Rejection
Geelong star Bailey Smith has seemingly branded the AFL as 'clowns' after his passionate push for a league-wide mental health round failed to yield an immediate result. The footballer, who has been open about his own mental health struggles, led the calls with a raw post-match interview on Channel 7 last week, which went viral amid widespread support.
Widespread Support in Wake of Tragic Events
The footage gained traction following the death of Jaryd Dawson, the brother of Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson, and a mental health episode involving Carlton young gun Elijah Hollands. In his interview, Smith stated, "I don't know if I'm out of pocket saying it, but I think it's about time the AFL get a men's mental health round." He added, "It just makes me feel sick during the week and hopefully the AFL community wraps their arms around them and we can do something."
Dale Thomas reinforced the prospect on The Agenda Setters, noting, "After the events of the week and what we've seen in the wider AFL community, if anything good comes of it it is starting conversations like this from Bailey Smith." However, reports emerged that the AFL will not rush to implement such a round.
AFL's Stance and Smith's Continued Advocacy
Tom Morris commented, "I think the AFL hears that (Smith's request) but I don't think there's going to be a Mental Health Round any time soon." He explained that the league prefers initiatives like Spud's Game and mental health forums, such as one held in Adelaide during Gather Round. Despite this, Smith persisted by sharing Morris's report on Instagram with a pointed caption: "We can reward mediocrity and introduce wildcard round tho," accompanied by two thumbs-up and a clown emoji.
Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson backed Smith's call on Friday night, suggesting integrating Spud's Game into a dedicated round. St Kilda's annual fixture honours late club great Danny Frawley and raises funds for mental health programs, standing as the league's most prominent wellbeing initiative.
AFL's Existing Mental Health Efforts
The AFL partners with multiple mental health and wellbeing organisations to support players, staff, and families through education programs. Youth foundation Headspace is one of its few charity partners, alongside FightMND. These efforts highlight the league's ongoing commitment, but Smith's advocacy underscores a demand for more visible, league-wide action.
Smith's Personal Journey and Advocacy History
This is not the first time Smith has used his platform to speak openly about mental health. Last year, at the All Australian awards night, he discussed spending time at a mental health facility while recovering from a knee reconstruction. He shared, "It was about a year ago I got out of a psych ward, I was in Epworth Camberwell for like four weeks. I got a couple of hours out a day, and I spent that time training and I went through a really dark time."
Smith expressed gratitude for the support of his family and manager, Robbie D'Orazio, during his recovery. He reflected, "I'm super grateful to be on the other side of it and I wouldn't change it for the world. Certainly surprised to be where I am." His continued advocacy highlights the importance of mental health awareness in professional sports, urging the AFL to consider more comprehensive measures.
