Geelong's AFL Mad Monday stunt sparks angry public backlash
For many AFL fans, Geelong's Mad Monday stunt was the perfect response to critics who'd written the team off for being too old to win a premiership.
The Cats fielded the oldest team in the league's 126-year history in Saturday's grand final, but were full of running in the 81-point thrashing of Sydney at the MCG.
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Geelong ace Patrick Dangerfield admitted afterwards that it was "nice to shut a few of the haters up", before adding that it was never the team's driving motivation.
The Cats' social media team were also quick to make light of the 'too old' barbs with a humorous post in the wake of their premiership triumph.
Too old, too slow, too good 👴🏻🏆 The cup will look great down at the retirement home #Untameable pic.twitter.com/kNJPHYDQss
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) September 24, 2022
Geelong's piece de resistance came on Monday, however, when the victorious squad dressed up as elderly citizens for their premiership celebrations.
Cats players gathered at the Wharf Shed in Geelong on Monday to continue the party, following their thrashing of the Swans.
A group of players including Dangerfield and captain Joel Selwood arrived dressed as elderly men - with grey hair colouring, walking sticks and Zimmer frames - in a clearly pointed dig at critics.
The players even arrived in a minibus from a retirement home, with Isaac Smith pretending to suffer a fall and was helped up by Dangerfield.
The Cats retirement home just rocked up for Mad Monday… @9NewsMelb @FootyonNine pic.twitter.com/9haCIlO1no
— Braden Ingram (@bradeningram) September 26, 2022
The team's Mad Monday celebrations were widely lauded by fans on social media, but not everyone saw the funny side of the stunt.
Discussing Geelong's celebrations on 3AW radio in Melbourne, some callers rang in to accuse the players of "belittling" the elderly.
One listener named Norm said: “I don’t see the funny side of belittling the elderly.
“I think it will taint Joel Selwood’s accolades from Saturday.”
Selwood was widely praised for a number of classy gestures on Saturday, including running out with Gary Ablett Jr's son Levi, who has been diagnosed with a degenerative condition.
The Cats skipper also melted hearts around the world after bringing super-fan and honorary Geelong waterboy Sam Moorfoot - who has Down syndrome - onto the field to join in the team's grand final celebrations.
Another listener named Diana said she thought "it was inappropriate" of Geelong's players to turn the plight of the elderly into a sideshow.
“I retired last year and I seem to be the butt of a lot of jokes lately.
“I’m demoralised by people saying you’re old and there are old jokes on the radio. And jokes on TV and belittling the elderly. I don’t agree with it at all.
“In this day and age, we should be better than that.”
Other members of the public expressed their disgust at Geelong's stunt on social media, however many argued that the players were actually taking a stand against some of the ageist commentary in society.
Disgusted at this stunt. Those in this situation everyday because of circumstances beyond their control do not have to be made fun of by these people. This reduced my wife to tears. Living this way is not a matter of choice. Those who do would love to kick a football for $.
— Glenn Loughrey (@glennloughrey) September 26, 2022
#Geelong I know why they did it’s interesting that you can have a go at the elderly and thats fine, yet everything else is off limits. Having just put my dad in aged care and watching his health decline, old age and lack of mobility isno laughing matter. GFC, just think about it pic.twitter.com/fFL0IAcYzC
— Christopher Brumby (@cbrumby) September 26, 2022
I thought that was their point. I'm an old person, and technically I hate Geelong (attended the 2007 GF for the other side), but I wasn't offended. They were just being silly, which is kind of what Mad Monday is for, isn't it?
— Sandy Sanders (@books_wormhole) September 27, 2022
WTF is wrong with ppl I love Geelong Mad Mondays. always something different they get into the spirit of it better than all the other clubs combined {too old too slow} perfect humourous response.
— Terrence Credlin 💉AZ & Pfizer💉#free Ukraine 💙💛 (@Terrence1958) September 27, 2022
I can’t believe that Geelong players are being slammed for taking off old people. They’ve legitimately been told they can’t achieve anything because they’re too old for at least 5 years. I don’t even like the @GeelongCats, but this is ridiculous. Fair play to them.
— cmcphers97 (@Mrscuds) September 27, 2022
Geelong were taking the piss out of themselves. Critics were saying they were too old and too slow to win the premiership. Some people are just easily triggered and aren't happy unless they are triggered. I thought those memes were funny. Some people need to get a sense of humour
— Vicki Mainard 🇦🇺🕹🏀🐈 Albo is not my PM. (@vmainard) September 26, 2022
These players were told they were too old to win and they are satirising the commentary around that. Everything I have seen from the geelong players post grand final win has been exemplary.
— bfer Bazza (@bferbazza) September 26, 2022
Geelong the oldest team to win an AFL flag
Geelong's grand final triumph came after critics repeatedly wrote them off due to their ageing roster, with the average age of their grand final team 28 years and 206 days.
"We never had any intention of trying to prove people wrong ... but it does feel like it's been a really long, challenging road," coach Chris Scott told reporters afterward.
"We've been consistent.
"But it feels as if it's been a bit of a cruel game because we've done everything we can to give all our people a chance and with that comes great emotional risk if you don't get it done at the end of the season."
The 33-year-old Smith (32 disposals, three goals) claimed the Norm Smith medal as best afield - the oldest player ever to win the gong - and snared the fourth premiership medal of his career after winning three at Hawthorn.
Smith helped 34-year-old Tom Hawkins spark the Cats' six-goal first term which laid the platform for victory.
Hawkins finished with three goals, while 32-year-old Dangerfield (26 disposals), 31-year-old Mark Blicavs (23 disposals) and 34-year-old Selwood (26 disposals, one goal) were outstanding - and among the 10 Cats aged 30 years or older.
Selwood was particularly influential early in his record-breaking 40th finals appearance - one more than Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck.
with AAP
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