AFL heartthrob and TV host Karl Stefanovic got into a heated exchange on Friday morning that would have left viewers feeling a little uncomfortable. Or downright jealous. Appearing on The Today show to spruik their Stuff That Matters deodorant partnership, it appeared love — and body spray — were in the air when a smitten Stefanovic swooned over the outgoing Bulldogs star.
Joining Smith, NRL player Kalyn Ponga and co-host Sarah Abo were forced to watch from the sidelines as the two alpha males traded flirtatious jabs. “You look delicious and smell delicious, I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, Sarah,” Karl said to the Smith in a clip posted to Instagram. “I’m feeling very uncomfortable,” Abo joked.
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But you are like a really good looking guy,” Karl continued. “Why didn’t you come for a drink last night like I asked you to?” Smith replied. “You’re also a beautiful man,” Abo said to Ponga.
“You sit across from him having a coffee. Whoo,” said Ponga in the direction of his sun-kissed footy mate. “You’re a spectacular specimen,” Karl responded to Ponga, before shifting focus back to Smith.
“But I’m just completely lost in your baby blue eyes,” Karl continued. The blonde midfielder blushed, forced to deflect Karl’s awkward advances by asking him out once more. “Are we getting dinner tonight then? I asked last night, he said no.
But that’s fine,” Smith said. “Karlos, you rejected Bailey Smith!? That’s the headline,” Abo added. “We can go straight to dessert, Sarah,” Karl joked.
“Gee whizz, tell me more,” a red-faced Smith responded. Ending in hysterics, the host said they’d “Insta” the results should the date eventuate. Championing men’s health, the Stuff That Matters brand aims to “break down those barriers” holding men back from the masculinity stereotypes they may feel governed by.
The brand was quick to chime in on Instagram when the date between it’s popular brand ambassador and the host had been set. “Can not wait for tonight’s dinner date results 👏” they responded to the post on the platform. Asked about his season lost to an ACL injury suffered during pre-season training, the Bulldogs player said he wished he was out there playing during his team’s brief finals campaign.
Requesting a trade away from the club following their loss to Hawthorn in an elimination final, Abo asked Smith if he had already spoken to “future teammates” about a move. But the star was quick to downplay chatter about his next footy chapter. “I’ll weigh up my future with my manager, and we’ll sort it out,” he said.
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