Geelong Cat Billie Smedts in strife over 'selfie' while driving
The half-forward took a photo of himself with a camera on an extendible pole while he appeared to be driving and posted it to his 10,000 followers on a social media site on Monday.
He uploaded it on Instagram with the message "Driving back to warrnambool for Christmas!!! #goproselfie".
With both hands occupied, the photo appears to show him steering his dark utility with his knees.
Superintendent Neville Taylor, head of Road Policing Operations, said it was inconsequential whether or not the car was in motion when the picture was taken.
"It doesn't matter really whether the car was moving or not, the message clearly in the photo is this is a person driving a car with a phone stuck out the window taking a selfie," he said.
"That is just absolutely stupid behaviour, it gives the wrong message, it's the kind of behaviour that can cost lives on the roads."
Superintendent Taylor said it was "disappointing", particularly given Smedts' high profile in the community.
The footballer could be up for a number of fines, including careless driving, using a mobile phone while driving or having his arm out the window.
Police have been in contact with the Geelong Football Club and would like an apology from Smedts.
The selfie has raised the ire of callers on Melbourne talkback radio this morning, and has already drawn a strong reaction from Janet Dore, the chief of the Transport Accident Commission, one of the Geelong Football Club's major sponsors.
The 21-year-old has since taken the photo off the media site, perhaps prompted by a message that read "Hmmm. Seriously hope the cops or footy club don't see this.
"TAC would not be too happy. A cousinly tip - take it down."
It's not the first time Smedts attracted headlines in 2013 for all the wrong reasons.
In April, he and recruit Josh Caddy had a run-in with the law when they donned balaclavas and, in a misguided prank, broke into a house, wrongly believing it was the home of teammate Jackson Thurlow.
Originally published as Police slam silly Billie over car selfie
