Bailey Smith rubbishes Wildcard weekend after mental health round snub

Just weeks after Geelong coach Chris Scott labelled the AFL’s newest fixturing innovation as a ‘cash grab,’ Cats superstar Bailey Smith has similarly rubbished Wildcard round, after it was revealed the league would not be pursuing a round in support of mental health awareness.

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Following the Cats’ win over the Western Bulldogs last Friday night, Smith advocated for the addition of a mental health round to the AFL fixture, following a tragic week in football that saw Jaryd Dawson, the brother of Adelaide superstar Jordan, pass away, and Carlton utility Elijah Hollands suffer from a mental health episode during the Blues’ loss to Collingwood.

«I just want to shout out the Dawson family this week, and Elijah Hollands last night, I don’t know if I’m out of pocket saying it, but I think it’s about time the AFL get a men’s mental health round,» he told the Seven broadcast.

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However, after it was reported on Tuesday night by Seven’s Tom Morris that the AFL would not be pursuing a mental health round, Smith criticised the league via Instagram, taking a shot at the AFL’s Wildcard round, which is set to be seen for the first time this finals series.

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«we can reward mediocrity and introduce wildcard round tho,» Smith wrote via his Instagram story, accompanied by two sarcastic thumbs up emojis and a clown emoji. 

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Smith has not been alone in his advocacy for more mental health awareness in the sport in recent days, with Melbourne captain Max Gawn and Hawthorn star Jack Ginnivan also throwing their support behind him.

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On Sunday, Gawn extended his thoughts to the Dawson and Hollands’ families, admitting he «liked what Bailey Smith said.»

Meanwhile, Ginnivan said a mental health round would be «epic,» on Nine‘s Players program.

Currently, the only fixture initiative to raise awareness for mental health is the annual ‘Spud’s Game,’ a fixture that has been shared by St Kilda and a rotating cast of clubs over the years to honour the life and legacy of Saints great, Danny Frawley.

While a mental health round doesn’t appear to be on the cards in the near future, recent reports suggest that Melbourne and Carlton could look to stage a separate game raising awareness for mental health as soon as next year. 

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