Bailey Smith wears vintage Oakley sunglasses at Brownlow, enters AFL Grand Final as Geelong’s x-factor
The Geelong star’s eyewear move at the Brownlow Medal became a talking point ahead of the season’s biggest game.
Bailey Smith arrived at the Brownlow Medal wearing a pair of vintage Oakley sunglasses, a look that instantly drew attention as he heads toward a high-stakes AFL Grand Final with Geelong as one of the competition’s most dangerous x-factors.
Smith explained the glasses were a childhood keepsake he’d kept for years and simply thought they looked cool, turning a fashion moment into the season’s most talked-about accessory. The plan to wear the sunglasses again on Brownlow night was reportedly scrapped after Geelong chief executive Steve Hocking intervened, with Smith instead donning suede RM Williams boots for the red-carpet appearance.
The Oakleys—rare models sometimes nicknamed speed-dealers or servo sunnies—have become a curious talking point beyond the football field, drawing inquiries from within the brand’s own offices about how the item remained in Smith’s possession. The switch from eyewear to footwear underscored a broader theme this week: Smith’s ability to command attention off the field while stepping into a Grand Final spotlight on the back of a career renaissance.
On the football front, Smith’s arc this season has been about resilience and peak form. Drafted at pick seven in 2018 by the Western Bulldogs, he burst onto the scene with a highlight-filled 2021 finals series, logging seven goals and 50 disposals that helped carry the team into a grand final. His 2022 season, however, was marred by a suspension after footage emerged of him with a bag of white powder, a setback he has since acknowledged as a low point.
In December 2023, Smith ruptured his ACL, an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season and has been described by the player as the loneliest period of his life. He spoke candidly about anxiety and self-doubt during that rehabilitation in social posts that underscored the mental and physical grind of returning to elite sport. He re-emerged in 2025 wearing Geelong colors, contributing eight goals this season and reestablishing himself as a clutch contributor who can tilt a big-game result in Geelong’s favor.
As Geelong prepares for the Grand Final, Smith is widely viewed as a potential difference-maker who can change the tempo and influence the outcome of the match. His on-field form, coupled with his growing media profile and distinctive style, has kept him in the public eye throughout the week, even as questions linger about his personal life.
Speculation about Smith’s private life has circulated in entertainment and sports circles, centered on a purported romance with fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow. Both have publicly described their relationship in cautious terms, with Hembrow calling Smith a “sweetie” while stopping short of confirming anything beyond friendship. Smith has downplayed romantic links, saying they are simply friends and joking that she would be bored watching Brownlow speeches if she attended.
Beyond the tabloid chatter, the football narrative remains focused on what Smith can deliver on the MCG stage. His supporters say the 26-year-old’s blend of speed, skill and a fearless approach make him one of Geelong’s most dangerous players in a game that will test his fitness, composure, and big-game instincts after a two-year arc of injury and controversy.
As fans gear up for the Grand Final, all eyes will be on whether Smith can translate his attention-grabbing off-field persona into a performance that helps Geelong lift the trophy. If he does, the sunglasses story might fade into the background, replaced by a game-winning moment that defines a remarkable Player Redemption arc.