- A crazy Monday for AFL clubs that didn’t finish in the top eight
- Adelaide and Richmond stars let their hair go
- The celebrations appeared to be civil, to the relief of the AFL.
AFL stars had a ball on Crazy Monday, but the celebrations seemed more subdued than in previous years.
There was no immediate sign of a repeat of events like those in 2022, when former Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy had to be helped into a taxi by teammates because he was so intoxicated after leaving a Melbourne pub.
In September last year, Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills was “injured” in a post-season drinking session.
It later emerged that the midfielder suffered the injury while fighting with a teammate.
“Callum is our captain and an important member of the squad. We are very disappointed to hear of this injury,” Swans head of football Charlie Gardiner said in a statement at the time.
‘Callum is equally disappointed, as you can imagine, but he is recovering well and will begin work on his rehabilitation immediately.’
Crazy Monday has been delayed for some players as clubs conduct post-season exit interviews with all players, so expect more AFL stars to be on the loose throughout the week.
The Adelaide Crows, who finished a disappointing 15th this season, opted for a golf-themed day, with controversial star Josh Rachele looking impossible to miss in his matching two-piece outfit.
Retired great Rory Sloane was also seen on the team bus with four cartons of Hard Fizz sparkling soft drink in his hand.
Sloane is the owner and ambassador of the popular alcoholic beverage.
A host of football stars were spotted having a blast on Crazy Monday (pictured, the Adelaide Crows stars before their day of golf)
It was impossible to miss controversial Crows striker Josh Rachele in his hideous matching two-piece outfit.
Retired great Rory Sloane was spotted with four cartons of Hard Fizz – he is the owner and ambassador of the brand.
Richmond players headed to the Rising Sun Hotel in Melbourne (pictured: defender Noah Balta)
Tigers star Toby Nankervis turned heads dressed as Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies
Kamdyn McIntosh was arguably the best dressed as Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Samson Ryan dressed up as Patrick Starfish from SpongeBob for the Wacky Monday celebrations
As the hours passed, some Richmond players seemed to be feeling a little worse (pictured)
In 2022, former Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy was visibly intoxicated at the club’s Mad Monday meeting.
Cordy was then led into a waiting taxi by his Western Bulldogs teammates, and was subsequently widely condemned for his behaviour.
Elsewhere, Richmond players headed to the Rising Sun Hotel, but the celebration would not have been boisterous given that the Tigers “won” the wooden spoon this season.
They have won just two games this year and will be without Dustin Martin in 2025 after the champion midfielder retired with immediate effect earlier this month.
Despite constant rumours linking Martin with the Gold Coast Suns, the three-time Championship winner hung up his boots at Punt Rd as a one-club player.
Players in attendance at Rising Sun included Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Hugo Ralphsmith, Samson Ryan and Kamdyn McIntosh.
The celebrations held at the same pub were labelled as “fun” and “low key”.
Collingwood’s Jack Crisp showed his mature side by not attending any end-of-season celebrations.
On Monday, he posted a (now-expired) Instagram Story showing the midfielder relaxing at home with his wife Mikayla and one of their children.
This comes after the Magpies failed to finish in the AFL’s top eight, despite being champions in 2023.