RIP Mad Monday: Geelong tradition 'will not continue in current form' amid criticism

Tom Naghten

RIP Mad Monday: Geelong tradition 'will not continue in current form' amid criticism image

Getty/Instagram/TSN

Mad Monday at Geelong appears to be no more.

For years, the club's end-of-season celebrations have attracted media attention, with players going all-out with elaborate dress-ups.

But 2025 looks to have been a tipping point, with the club forced to apologise following controversy surrounding some of their antics earlier this week in the wake of their grand final defeat to Brisbane.

MORE: Curnow reportedly not Gold Coast's no. 1 priority

The club released a statement on Wednesday in response to the criticism.

"Geelong Football Club sincerely apologises for the offence caused following our end of season gathering on Monday," a club statement read.

"Certain costumes and associated social media posts were inappropriate and a significant error of judgment, and do not reflect our Team of All commitment.  

"The club has decided future post season events will not continue in this current form, and we will take this moment to further educate our people on expectations and club and community standards."

Some notable outfits this year included Max Holmes as journalist Caroline Wilson, Patrick Dangerfield and Rhys Stanley's homage to TV's Yellowstone, Ollie Dempsey and Sam De Koning poking fun at the criticism of the club's third-party arrangement with clothing retailer Cotton On, Brad Close as renowned Geelong superfan "Catman", and Bailey Smith as Brad Pitt's Tristan Ludlow from 1994 film Legends of the Fall, while trio Mark Blicavs, Mark O’Connor and Cillian Burke turned up as Irish rap group Kneecap.

Smith had come under fire for social media posts made throughout the event, with one referencing film Brokeback Mountain labelled homophobic by former footballer Mitch Brown.

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.