Geelong midfielder Bailey Smith has received a formal warning from the AFL after making a comment on Instagram referencing “nose beers,” a slang term for cocaine.
The incident occurred after Geelong’s match against the Western Bulldogs last Thursday. In a response to a fan comment asking, “Nose beers after the game mate?” Smith replied, “Na bro, after the flag maybe tho.” The exchange quickly went viral on social media.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon addressed the matter, stating the league had reminded Smith—and all players—about their responsibilities as public figures.
“Our players need to be mindful, whether they’re in public or on social media, that they are in the public eye and they’re role models,” Dillon told 9 Wide World of Sports.
Dillon emphasized that the AFL does not tolerate the glamorization of illicit drug use, regardless of intent.
“We absolutely don’t condone it. Illicit drug use is a serious issue and shouldn’t be joked about,” he said. “If he had his time again, I’m not sure he’d do it. The team is talking with Geelong and with Bailey, and we wouldn’t want to see it again.”
While the AFL stopped short of formally sanctioning Smith, the league’s response underscores its ongoing effort to regulate player behavior, particularly online.
The comment drew a mixed reaction from the broader football community. Paul Marsh, CEO of the AFL Players’ Association, acknowledged that while the comment was in poor taste, it likely wasn’t intended to be taken seriously.
“Bailey’s a breath of fresh air in the industry. I took it as tongue-in-cheek,” Marsh said. “Maybe if he had his time again, he wouldn’t do it, but I don’t think we want to take him down for it.”
Marsh added that it’s important to strike a balance between player accountability and allowing athletes to express personality, especially in an environment where public figures are often heavily scrutinized.
Former AFL player and current commentator Chris Scott echoed a similar sentiment, noting the evolving relationship between professional athletes and their online presence.
“You can’t have it both ways,” Scott said on ABC Sport. “If society encourages sharing everything online and bantering, we can’t be shocked when someone pushes the boundaries.”
Scott urged the public to keep perspective on such incidents, particularly given Smith’s age and the pressures of modern sports culture.
“You’ve got to be careful these things don’t drift into something bigger, but this is more about maintaining perspective. He’s 24. This should be a learning opportunity, not a defining moment.”
As of publication, Bailey Smith has not made a public statement regarding the comment and remains eligible to play without suspension or fine.
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