Opinion
Smith’s drug revelations were less of a surprise than what came next
Marnie Vinall
Freelance writerAn AFL star doing drugs? Colour the younger generations unsurprised.
The controversy around Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has reignited debate about the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, with some demanding zero tolerance and others suggesting the rules should be scrapped. Meanwhile, many are blaming Smith for failing to live up to his position as a role model.
Bulldogs star Bailey Smith, and the photograph on social media.Credit:Getty Images, Supplied
There’s no doubt that Smith is an incredibly popular AFL star. With his trademark blond mullet and crafty footwork on the field, he has garnered 374,000 followers on Instagram – more than double his club – and his image is plastered on billboards around Melbourne in ads for clothing giant Cotton On.
His face is instantly recognisable, even to those who don’t follow the AFL.
Given this, when the leaked photo and video of him holding a small bag of illicit drugs became public, many worried about how this may affect his young fans. Despite being only 21, he’s considered a role model – and this was far from role model behaviour.
Yet, many of the younger generation weren’t surprised by the drug revelations.
A TikTok video Smith posted apologising for his conduct has had more than 62,000 views, and a top comment reads: “…every afl player gets on [drugs], he’s just got the biggest profile”. Another comment reads: “I bet you he is not the only one in the AFL”.
What did cause surprise was what he did next. Within hours, he owned up to his behaviour, admitted to drug-taking and took full responsibility for his actions while speaking openly about his mental health struggles.
As one Twitter user wrote: “Huge respect for Bailey Smith here. Usually players dodge the issue despite the evidence being clear. This statement is role model behaviour. Quickly and honestly owning up and being vulnerable is 10/10.”
For him to speak openly about how he’s ashamed of the behaviour – and connected it with mental health struggles – could do more to make his young fans rethink indulging in similar behaviour.
Instead of encouraging others to also use illicit substances, it may make them question what they’d be risking by doing so.
And, if they’re struggling with mental health issues, his frank revelation may feel like they can speak to others about it.
Many young Australians struggle with mental health issues – a survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found almost 19 per cent of Australians aged 15-24 experience anxiety. A Headspace report found in 2020 that 34 per cent of young Australians aged 12-25 experienced high or very high levels of distress.
Furthermore, Beyond Blue found that only 31 per cent of young women and 13 per cent of young men with issues around mental health seek treatment.
So while Smith’s behaviour caught on camera shouldn’t be pardoned or ignored, his actions in the fallout can be a positive learning experience for his hundreds of thousands of followers.
In an age where everything is filmed and put online, modelling honest, vulnerable and accountable behaviour is something we can all learn from.