Tammy Hembrow and Bailey Smith: Brownlow Night romance rumors fade as he attends solo

Australian influencer Tammy Hembrow and Geelong AFL player Bailey Smith found themselves at the center of Brownlow Medal-night chatter after weeks of romance speculation. On Monday, Smith attended the Brownlow Medal count solo, describing Hembrow as 'just a mate' and asserting she would not be his date for the night. In the hours that followed, Hembrow posted holiday content from Byron Bay, keeping the focus on her own plans as social media users debated the status of the pair's rumored relationship.

Smith fronted the awards ceremony alone and, in an interview on KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show, said Tammy was not accompanying him. 'No, we're just mates,' he said when asked about their relationship status. He also revealed that he would take his jiu-jitsu instructor to the event, a detail that added to the week of speculation about who might join him on the arm of a night that traditionally doubles as a social spotlight for couples and would-be couples.

On Tuesday, Tammy, 31, posted a series of sultry bikini selfies from Byron Bay, signaling she was moving on with a solo getaway rather than attending the AFL's night of nights on the arm of the footy star. In one image, she referenced scuba diving, writing 'Ya girl is getting scuba certified catch me in the ocean for the rest of my life.' Earlier, she had shared a photo of the medical questionnaire required before her lesson, keeping the content light but on-message about her plans.

Fans and followers weighed in online, with comments roasting Hembrow for what some called a missed appearance. Messages included 'No Brownlow then,' a frowning emoji, and 'He’s smart... Bailey doesn't want damaged goods,' among others. Several posts suggested Bailey had moved on or that Hembrow's plans to attend with him were a non-starter, while others urged positivity or criticized the online commentary.

Bailey Smith, 24, arrived at the Brownlow Medal count in a black tuxedo with a bow tie, his blond hair worn loose and tousled. He wore sunglasses described in media reports as 'speed dealer' style and appeared poised as he entered the event solo, days after publicly casting the romance rumors as 'just friends.'

By Tuesday, the couple's public narrative had shifted further as Hembrow leaned into a vacation narrative and Smith clarified the status in media interviews. The Brownlow night took place within hours of Smith's remarks, and the social-media chatter that followed highlighted the interest in the pair's potential alliance, even as the individuals pursued separate plans.

The episode underscores the ongoing interest in high-profile relationships around AFL figures and social media influencers, where flirtation and dating rumors can become a bigger story than the awards themselves. While both parties have offered limited official comment, the week-long ripple effect of a four-word description—"No, we're just mates"—and a poolside bikini-ready sequel demonstrates how a single event can become a focal point for online discourse about romance, age, and public life.