‘Will not continue’: Cats make big Mad Monday statement after ‘significant error of judgement’

Geelong has moved to cancel future Mad Monday celebrations “in current form” after controversial antics from Cats stars, including Bailey Smith.

The AFL was “not thrilled” with the display from select players and told the club to “take some steps” in addressing the behaviour, with the Cats officially acting on Wednesday night.

Geelong players are known for their effort at the end-of-season celebration, but, led by Smith, raised eyebrows with their dress-ups and online activity following their grand final loss to Brisbane.

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Smith made a comment about veteran journalist Caroline Wilson, whom Max Holmes was dressed as, and mimicked the homosexual nature of film Brokeback Mountain with captain Patrick Dangerfield.

Other Geelong players attended the event dressed as Kneecap, an Irish rap outfit that was recently at the front of terrorism charges.

The club, in a statement on Wednesday evening, apologised for players’ indiscretions and confirmed “post-season events will not continue in this current form”.

“Geelong Football Club sincerely apologises for the offence caused following our end-of-season gathering on Monday,” the statement reads.

“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.”

AFL general manager Greg Swann said the league and the club weren’t happy with the behaviour and expected a response from the Cats on Wednesday afternoon.

“We have spoken to Geelong and had a chat to (Geelong CEO) Steve Hocking, they’re actually dealing with it,” Swann said earlier on Wednesday.

“In my time, we think the clubs are the best people to deal with it, they’re their players.

“We’re not thrilled with what happened and nor are Geelong, so they’re going to take some steps, and I think there will be something coming out this afternoon around that.

“We’ve pushed it down to them to deal with, we’ve had some good chats with them about that.

“They’ve been doing a little bit of work in the background trying to sort that out and hopefully this afternoon you’ll see where that’s landed.”

Swann shut down a suggestion that Geelong was often allowed to deal with misdemeanours itself.

He said under his tenure these types of matters would be handled more regularly at club level and the AFL would only step in if required.

“You might see that change, as I said, I think these are club issues,” he said.

“We will step in if we have to, but we’ll let the clubs deal with it.

“Yes, would be the short answer.”