Rumour Bailey Smith avoids being drafted interstate by way of medical reason

[Coaster2012]

Or...maybe, just maybe, the kid actually has some shit he's dealing with that we aren't privy to? Crazy to think that here on BF it might possible that we actually have no ****ing clue.

 

[RUNVS]

Or...maybe, just maybe, the kid actually has some shit he's dealing with that we aren't privy to? Crazy to think that here on BF it might possible that we actually have no ******* clue.

Probably should not have entered the draft in that case as being a player in the AFL can be really stressful.

 

[Papa G]

His absolute obsessiveness about becoming an AFL footballer always screamed mental health issues to me. Many on our board wanted to pick him regardless of his Vic Metro mummy's boy traits. I was very happy we stayed away.

 

[living_in_syd]

Confirmed shit bloke...

View attachment 588134

I'm sure Lin Jong wouldn't be too rapt about this.

Did he delete it off his instagram?

Thats pretty shit if true

 

[La Dispute]

An eighteen year old brain clearly wouldn't understand the idea that they are walking into an organisation, and they can play a pivotal role in either helping or hindering its future and growth — nationally.

Bailey's brain chose to hinder.

He's doing the exact same thing at the Bulldogs, just closer to family and friends and in a footy-centric city where he's going to play in front of bigger crowds and get more exposure and adulation.

Not every player is cut out for moving interstate immediately, and especially not to a northern state (and to a recent expansion club no less).

Things turn around, and once you get a good group together they'll want to stay, but that's partway doing the behind the scenes stuff first and picking the right players. Taking teammates (eg Berry and McCluggage) and Vic Country footballers seems to be working out for Brisbane, and Port Adelaide have a lot of country kids on their list too.

It's a shame because on talent Bailey Smith should be at the Gold Coast.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Confirmed shit bloke...

View attachment 588134

I'm sure Lin Jong wouldn't be too rapt about this.

How is that offensive?

Chin is a common Chinese name, is it offensive to reference another culture now even if it’s not disparaging at all?

 

[La Dispute]

He's entitled to that request, we don't know his personal issues and to be honest it's none of our business.

This kid could have a sick family member who he doesn't want to leave. He could suffer from depression or other mental disorders.
That doesn't preclude him from wanting to play AFL, he clearly has talent if he's getting drafted.

I don't see much of a 'draft tampering' element given there are 10 clubs that can still select him.

He might not even have anything particular severe - might just know within himself he's not particularly good with wholesale change in his life and might see heading interstate (even to Adelaide) as a bridge too far.

Everyone develops differently, and sure it's self-serving, but it's still a far better result for any potential interstate clubs, rather than losing him in a few years for less than they initially paid for which seems to be the usual outcome.

 

[Taylor]

Have any of the players reporting mental health issues returned to playing high level football?

Lance Franklin?

 

[Alphonse_]

Its only draft tampering if the club that eventually drafted him (The Dogs) advised him to do so.

 

[Alphonse_]

Have any of the players reporting mental health issues returned to playing high level football?

Lance Franklin?

Wayne Schwass certainly did (with a lot less support and help players get these days)

 

[Taylor]

Its only draft tampering if the club that eventually drafted him (The Dogs) advised him to do so.

Draft tampering would be gaining an advantage, the club and the player can both benefit from interference. The player gets to stay home.

 

[Starburns_]

Its only draft tampering if the club that eventually drafted him (The Dogs) advised him to do so.

If he told a club that he'd refuse to play then it's also tampering (but only by the player, not a club).

The medical certificate thing is an interesting scenario and I guess we'll see over time if other players start producing them for similar reasons.

 

[GroggSquad]

Did he delete it off his instagram?

Thats pretty shit if true

Yeah it looks like he has now, he’s changed his DP too.

 

[RUNVS]

If he told a club that he'd refuse to play then it's also tampering (but only by the player, not a club).

The medical certificate thing is an interesting scenario and I guess we'll see over time if other players start producing them for similar reasons.

Not that it will happen but what would the AFL do if lets say 20 of the top 30 players started producing these sort of medical certificates? It would essentially make the entire draft untenable.

 

[estibador]

IMO if you claim a medical condition that prevents you from moving interstate that should forfeit your right to enter the draft, since its entire premise is based on participants agreeing to go wherever drafted.

 

[GroggSquad]

How is that offensive?

Chin is a common Chinese name, is it offensive to reference another culture now even if it’s not disparaging at all?

Would you post something like that on social media?

I’m not excusing him of shooting Bambi, but he is still taking the piss out of another culture. We’re quickly finding out this kid may not have the greatest character.

 

[gordo2016]

If his mental health is that fragile he's probably chosen the wrong career.

Why is that? Many people with mental health issues are able to forge successful careers.

 

[gordo2016]

Cloke previously too.

Plus the hundreds of players you have never heard about.

 

[slashin_velvet]

Would you post something like that on social media?

I’m not excusing him of shooting Bambi, but he is still taking the piss out of another culture. We’re quickly finding out this kid may not have the greatest character.

I personally wouldn't, but what he said wasn't disparaging or negative towards Chinese people. It's a dumb joke about a common surname....you know what else is a common surname "Smith".

 

[underthestars]

medical cert unfortunately means nothing in terms of his actual mental fitness. i could go and get one tomorrow - the doctor will err on the side of caution every time.
just glad we didn't draft him now. either low resilience, immature, selfish, or going through some real mental health problems. none are things you'd want of a draftee. if it's the latter hopefully the dogs can help. they don't seem to have a great record in that area.

 

[estibador]

Why is that? Many people with mental health issues are able to forge successful careers.

It's a pressure cooker environment placing you in a fishbowl where your every move is scrutinised and criticised in public. Most AFL players who've come out about mental health problems have struggled with the demands of the role.

 

[2006_Eagles]

You can't spell Chinese without Chin so

 

[RUNVS]

Why is that? Many people with mental health issues are able to forge successful careers.

Depends on the career. I would not try and become a professional cave diver if I was claustrophobic for instance.

 

[Righteo]

Would you post something like that on social media?

I’m not excusing him of shooting Bambi, but he is still taking the piss out of another culture. We’re quickly finding out this kid may not have the greatest character.

Bit of a reach mate, we're talking about a 17 year old kid here.

If you're judging character based on what people say as teenagers then 99% of the population are racist/sexist/homophobic shitbags.

 

[Coaster2012]

Probably should not have entered the draft in that case as being a player in the AFL can be really stressful.

So kid should throw his entire future away over what is happening to him? Pretty harsh i would have thought. Sure, its possible hes just pulling a sneaky one to stay in Melbourne. But also likely there are some genuine issues he needs to stay in Melbourne for. Think we need to hold our judgements. We were roasting Ablett for wanting to go home, having no knowledge that his sister was basically on suicide watch for 3 years. No one is bagging him for that now.