Bailey Smith is set to accept a suspected two-week ban after images emerged of the young Bulldog using illicit substances last year,ย per reports from the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph.
Smith will be interviewed by the AFL's integrity unit in the coming days about the nature of the images and video of the 21-year-old in a Gold Coast nightclub last year, with Ralph reporting the young star will be facing a ban for โconduct unbecomingโ.
The Bulldogs will return from the bye on Monday, with Smith expected to train as he prepares to serve the first week of his two-week ban for head-butting Geelong defender Zach Tuohy.
Should the AFL hand down a two-week suspension under the AFL's illicit drugs code, Smith will not be available for selection until Round 18.
Former Crow Brad Crouch served a two-game ban to start 2021 when he and former teammate Tyson Stengle were stopped by South Australian police on September 28 and were found to be in possession of an illicit substance.
Stengle was handed a four-game ban due to his previous indiscretions. The pair were also hit with a strike under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy.
Smith released a statement on Saturday after the images were circulated on social media, conceding that he engaged in activity after the Bulldogs' grand final loss that he was "ashamed" by, but wanted to take accountability for his actions.
No ducking and diving from Bailey Smith who will admit his cocaine use and accept an illicit drugs code strike in coming days. What happens next ahead of his return to training tomorrow ๐ https://t.co/rEdXnhKboA
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) June 12, 2022
โI have recently been made aware of the presence of social media content that shows me with an illicit substance,โ Smith said in a statement.
โI am determined to learn from the lessons of my past and be a better person in the future.
โAfter much reflection, I am now in a position to confess to indulging in behaviours in late 2021 of which I am deeply ashamed.
I have made mistakes.ย I am very aware of that, and I fully own it."
