Bailey Smith has shared his true thoughts about his romance with Tammy Hembrow.
The AFL player, 25, appeared on the Today show this week and insisted the pair are just friends.
He went on to explain that Tammy, 31, who is six years his senior, has become an older, wiser mentor.
‘She’s a really close mate at the minute, and is honestly helping me with a bit of advice,’ he rambled during the awkward chat.
‘She’s a bit older than me and I need it. So she’s been good,’ Bailey added.
Asked by the show’s hosts if Bailey was calling Tammy a cougar – meaning an older woman who chases young men – the red-faced footballer stumbled over his answer.
Bailey Smith (pictured) has shared his true thoughts about his romance with Tammy Hembrow. The AFL player, 25, appeared on the Today show this week and insisted the pair are just friends
He went on to explain that Tammy, 31, who is six years his senior, has become an older, wiser mentor. Pictured together
‘No, no… you’re throwing me under the bus. I threw myself under the bus,’ Bailey stuttered.
He added: ‘She’s the best though, honestly. She’s helped me with a lot of things.’
When asked if sparks ever did fly between the pair, Bailey confessed, ‘Yeah they did, but they always fade out here and there.’
Smith recently confirmed where he stands with Hembrow – and it was not quite the hard launch fans were expecting.
The AFL star took to Instagram to announce that he and the fitness influencer have decided to make things official as friends, teaming up with Tinder ahead of the busiest dating day of the year.
‘I’m actually hard launching someone today,’ Smith told his followers in a cheeky video.
‘Hey guys. So Tammy and I have decided to make it official. We’re gonna be each other’s Tinder coaches this summer.’
The clip quickly raised eyebrows after months of speculation surrounding their on-again, off-again dating era earlier this year.
Smith continued: ‘Yep. Now that we’re just mates who better help you with your dating game than a friend.
While romance rumours have continued to swirl, the pair have now confirmed they are stepping into 2026 firmly as friends
‘Like any good athlete, I know there’s a few things I need to work on. Like my Tinder profile.’
He then poked fun at his own social media habits, adding: ‘We’ll be working on less shirtless selfies and more substance.
‘You know, get to know the man behind the ARBs. So stay tuned. It’s time to get in shape for a Tinder Summer.’
The announcement comes after the pair reunited for a new Tinder campaign ahead of Dating Sunday on January 4, widely known as the busiest day of the year for dating apps.
Last year, Smith and Hembrow made headlines after being linked during a highly publicised dating stint that fuelled weeks of speculation.
While romance rumours have continued to swirl, the pair have now confirmed they are stepping into 2026 firmly as friends.
As part of the partnership, the duo will act as each other’s dating coaches.
They will be offering honest advice and refreshing their Tinder profiles – including culling shirtless photos and focusing on substance.
