1 hour ago
6
Bailey Smith will run out in today's AFL Grand Final as one of Geelong's potential game-breakers - but it's his off-field style that has had fans talking all week.
The mystery behind why the Cats star wore a pair of vintage Oakley sunglasses to the Brownlow Medal has finally been revealed.
What looked like a bold fashion stunt was actually a nod to his childhood, with Smith admitting he's had the shades for years and simply thought they were 'cool.'
The rare Oakleys, dubbed speed-dealers or servo sunnies, have since become a talking point even inside the company's offices, with bosses keen to know how Smith still had a pair.
It was the second time this year that one of his fashion statements drew headlines, following the 'snoafer' saga at the All-Australian dinner when he wore New Balance hybrids that divided opinion online.
On Brownlow night, Smith had originally planned to wear them again before Geelong CEO Steve Hocking intervened and made him switch to suede RM Williams boots.
Bailey Smith arrives at the Brownlow Medal in bold Oakley shades, sparking questions about his surprising fashion choice
The Geelong star reveals his sunglasses were a childhood pair, turning a nostalgic item into the season’s biggest accessory story
The swap avoided another internet frenzy, but underlined Smith's knack for turning heads beyond football.
Away from the red carpet, speculation continues about Smith's personal life.
He and celebrity fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow have been spotted together on several outings, sparking rumours of a romance.
Hembrow has described him as a 'sweetie' but stopped short of confirming anything further, while Smith insists they are just friends and even joked she would be bored sitting through the Brownlow.
For now, both remain coy, leaving fans guessing as much about his private life as his next on-field move.
On the football front, Smith's journey has been anything but smooth.
Drafted at pick seven in 2018, he became one of the Bulldogs' brightest stars, delivering a standout 2021 finals series with seven goals and 50 disposals that propelled the Dogs into a grand final.
He followed that with career-best numbers in 2022 but was suspended after footage surfaced of him holding a bag of white powder.
Bailey Smith’s off-field choices continue to attract headlines, but on-field he remains Geelong’s most dangerous x-factor this Grand Final
Smith took a friend to the Brownlows, despite ongoing speculation surrounding his rumoured romance with fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow
The off-field spotlight clashed with his growing status as 'Bazlenka,' the social media favourite of younger fans, and tensions with coach Luke Beveridge soon followed.
In December 2023, disaster struck when Smith ruptured his ACL, ruling him out of the entire 2024 season.
He has since described it as the 'loneliest' period of his life, opening up about anxiety, self-doubt, and the grind of training alone.
‘Every session on my own. *****s writing me off. So much doubt and anxiety about the future,' he posted.
‘But just kept on swimmin’. Always will.'
His candid reflections on Instagram revealed just how hard he had fought to get back.
Now wearing Geelong colours and with eight goals this season, he returns to the MCG stage with a point to prove.
