AFL chief Andrew Dillon pokes fun at Bailey Smith’s love life ahead of Geelong-Hawthorn preliminary final

Australia’s heavy hitters rolled into the MCG on Friday night for the preliminary final between Geelong and Hawthorn and AFL chief Andrew Dillon was in rare form ahead of the blockbuster game.

Speaking during the pre-game event to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, deputy PM and defence minister Richard Marles, businessman and outgoing AFL chair Richard Goyder, plus several other powerbrokers, Dillon decided to poke fun at Geelong superstar Bailey Smith.

Smith had a whirlwind relationship with millionaire fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow, which dominated headlines for gossip columnists after the pair were spotted together on the Gold Coast.

The relationship has reportedly cooled, but it is fair to say Dillon may not be aware of the current status.

“Tonight, we have stars all over the field,” Dillon, seemingly in a whimsical mood, said in front of the VIPs before the game.

“Bailey Smith has been playing electrifying footy all year and was named the joint champion player of the year, along with (Gold Coast Suns captain) Noah Anderson.

“Two players with strong ties to the Gold Coast for two very different reasons …”

With TV funnyman and Channel 7’s Front Bar star Mick Molloy watching on, Dillon’s comedy act didn’t stop there.

He then turned his attentions to Hawthorn’s affluent fans

Albanese is a Hawthorn supporter and Marles, who hails from the Geelong area, is a well-known Cats fan.

“I should have known Hawks supporters were travelling en masse (to Adelaide) when I got to the premium car park at Melbourne Airport and it was full of European SUVs,” he said.

Which is a bit rich for Dillon, given he lives in a neighbouring (and equally prestigious) Hawthorn suburb in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs.

As for Smith and Hembrow, there were high hopes the couple would appear together on the Brownlow Medal red carpet on Monday night.

But the latest reports suggest Smith is taking his Jiu-Jitsu coach who is also one of his good mates.

After hard launching their relationship in Melbourne at the end of August, it appears things have gone a little cold between the 24-year-old Smith and the 31-year-old divorcee.

Smith is one of the favourites for the Brownlow Medal and was one of Geelong’s best in their impressive win against Hawthorn.

He had a game-high 36 touches and slotted a goal on Friday night.

After the match, Smith had nothing but praise for his skipper, Patrick Dangerfield.

“He still takes time out of his day to look after me through some dark periods throughout year ... I’m forever in debt to him,” Smith told Channel 7 after the game.

“Couldn’t think of anyone better to lead us to a granny, so hopefully we can take it home.”