Better late than never! Bailey Smith rocks up to the Crown for the Brownlow Medal two and a half hours late and wearing a tracksuit after rumours of a no-show - and sinks a can of booze on his way in

He was rumoured to be a no-show at the 2026 Brownlow Medal on Monday night despite being one of the favourites to take home the top prize.

But Geelong Cats superstar Bailey Smith arrived at the Crown Palladium in the nick of time.

The 25-year-old hunk rocked up to the venue in a tracksuit, admitting on Instagram that he had just five minutes to get ready for the big event and was two and a half hours late. 

'Five mins to get ready! F**k me! Two and a half hours late, but still made it,' Bailey wrote alongside a lift selfie.

He also shared a cheeky photo of him posing alongside actor Chris Pang at the event and captioned it with some amusing words.

'Me and my work wife,' Bailey wrote. 

Bailey quickly got changed into a standout grey tuxedo with white lapels and a grey bow tie for the prestigious awards show, along with his favourite quirky shades.

Of course, he had his famous blonde locks out in all of their glory and he sipped on a can of his own vodka mix drink, Barry, as he made his way into the event.

It appears that the AFL's most eligible bachelor was once again dateless for the event, slipping inside solo. 

Earlier on Monday, The Herald Sun reported that Bailey could be a shock no-show at the Brownlow Medal.

That was the speculation among those getting ready at Crown Towers on Monday afternoon.

The decorated player is understood to be still sore after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.

Who can forget his memorable fashion statement on the red carpet at last year's ceremony when he wore a pair of cool 'speed dealer' style sunglasses.

Bailey attended the ceremony without a date and suited up for the occasion in an all-black ensemble, looking dapper in a tuxedo and a bow tie.

Earlier this year, Bailey spoke in detail about his burning desire to become a father.

He revealed he is very keen to have children, with his passion for starting a family having an impact on him every day.

'I weirdly wanna have kids – not now, but I think that's what drives me a lot, is thinking about my family,' Bailey told Channel Seven.

'I suppose the masculine nature to want to provide and care for someone bigger than myself, and ... create a family, and that's what sort of drives me each day, weirdly.

'I've always thought about it since I was 18.

'Like, why are you thinking about kids then? That's always driven me to be a better person and work harder.'

'I don't want to tell my kid to act a certain way, knowing I didn't,' he continued.