By Caroline Wilson

Copyright brisbanetimes

Geelong’s response after the club’s annual post-season dress-up – once a fun and largely original diversion from the brutal realities of competitive sport – was to release a generic apology after 48 hours of argy-bargy with head office. No individual put their name to the statement which declared costumes would be banned forthwith.

Frankly, it was a pathetic response which completely missed the point. Even allowing for the Anti-Defamation Commission’s condemnation of the three players who turned up as Kneecap; the real point, of course, was Smith.

Speaking about the behaviour of AFL players through the lens of mental health can be tricky but Smith behaved on Monday like a lawless selfish brat with no thought for the club nor those teammates who have defended and, on occasion, covered for him this season. And those at the club who defend him because of his public history with those mental demons should acknowledge how offensive and hurtful his behaviour can be to others.

Smith offended the gay community, briefly dragging down one of the game’s most respected leaders, the unwitting Dangerfield. He once again offended women across the industry and beyond by targeting me with a disgusting social media post. And the post was only taken down after my female colleague Jacqui Reed complained to the club. Geelong’s media team has been MIA throughout September, and where was football boss Andrew Mackie on Monday?