Geelong superstar Bailey Smith has copped a $1000 fine from the AFL after he was caught flipping the bird to an Adelaide fan after Thursday night’s win over the Crows.

Smith was instrumental in the Cats’ 19-point victory, racking up a game-high 35 possessions in another brilliant display.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Bailey Smith explains altercation with fan.

But as he made his way down the tunnel back into the rooms, Smith was filmed in an altercation with an Adelaide fan.

The 24-year-old was giving high-fives to Cats fans when he appeared to take exception to a comment from a Crows fan.

Smith was filmed giving a fan a double rude finger salute. The AFL match review officer dished out a $1000 fine (with an early plea) for an obscene gesture.

Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary on Friday, Smith revealed the fan was talking “s**t” to captain Patrick Dangerfield, which prompted the response.

“Probably not my best moment ... we were just walking off, getting around fans when someone was getting into Danger a bit more than he should have,” Smith said.

“We were in enemy territory and I sort of love that stuff, the back and forth between the fans, but if I had my time again, I probably shouldn’t have done the double bird. But it’s all part of it, there is only so much you can cop.

“I’ll expect a fine, but don’t talk s**t to the skipper I guess.

“He (Dangerfield) can’t do it, he’s got an image to uphold whereas I’m a bit different. I didn’t like some of the stuff that was being said ... obviously you want to win with grace, it was just the one bloke making a big effort to get stuck into Danger.

“It was just stuff about him at the Crows and even some personal stuff and that’s probably where that crosses the line, you can judge performance and all that stuff as much as you like, but when you start getting into some deeper details it’s probably a bit far.”

Smith said he spoke to AFL general manager of football Laura Kane and is expecting to receive a fine because “it was a bad look”.

“I’ll just get a fine because obviously it’s just a bad look, which I completely agree with. Hopefully it’s not too hefty, might get Danger to pay for it,” he joked.

Earlier this year, West Coast emerging star Harley Reid was slapped with a $1000 fine for flipping the bird to the crowd during the Eagles’ loss to Brisbane.

The 19-year-old was asked by the AFL to explain his actions before he was charged with misconduct.

Speaking on Friday afternoon, AFL football operations boss Josh Mahoney said officials had also spoken with Geelong about Smith’s post-game incident.

“They’ve given us some information which is factored in, with the MRO process,” Mahoney said.

“They are very competitive environments, but there are expectations on spectators and how they behave towards players and also the way the players behave as well.

“The environment was electric last night; we have to make sure we do it well.

“Particularly around Patrick Dangerfield and the Crows, there was a fair bit of language used around that. But it’s really important that everyone play a role within that.

Meanwhile, Smith made a raw admission about his off-field struggles in a riveting chat with Channel 7 post-match.

“Things are good now, 12 months ago I was a bit off with the fairies, not right in the head,” Smith told Channel 7.

“Footy is the one thing, that’s what people forget, they see the outside stuff, but footy is what makes me tick,” he added.

“I want to outwork everyone, I want to be the best I can and hopefully win a flag with these boys.”

While Smith and fellow midfield gun Max Holmes drew plenty of praise for their performances, coach Chris Scott singled out midfield bull Tom Atkins.

“We really like Bailey, and Max was good as well, but they weren’t as good as Tom Atkins,” the two-time premiership coach said.

“That was a really special game, especially when the heat was on and we were being outplayed.

“We thought he was the one that stood up.

“I only say it because high-profile players always get the plaudits but I’m not sure that’s appropriate in this situation.”

Atkins tallied 24 disposals and nine clearances in Geelong’s engine room while also helping to blunt Adelaide livewire Izak Rankine’s influence.

He helped turn the tide when the Cats trailed by 30 points midway through the second quarter and had a huge say in the result.

Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron kicked eight goals between them, combining to boot all of their side’s majors in a decisive five-goals-to-one final term.

Smith (35 disposals, six clearances) and Holmes (32 disposals, five clearances) were the game’s premier ball-winners and were the top two players on the ground for metres gained.

“I think Smith complements Holmes pretty well,” Scott said of his off-season trade acquisition.

“Every team that has a really good player always says it would be nice if you had two of them.

“I’m not saying they’re exactly the same, but they are more similar than other guys in our team.”

Geelong (3-2) have now won consecutive games for the first time this year and next face a huge showdown with unbeaten Hawthorn in their traditional Easter Monday blockbuster.

- With AAP