- Mad Monday unfolded for AFL clubs that didn’t finish in the top eight
- Adelaide and Richmond stars let their hair down
- The celebrations appeared to be civilised, much to the relief of the AFL
Mad Monday saw AFL stars enjoying themselves, but the festivities were less festive than in previous years.
There were no immediate signs of a repeat of events in 2022, when former Western Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy had to be helped into a taxi by teammates after leaving a Melbourne pub after being heavily intoxicated.
In September last year, Sydney Swans co-captain Callum Mills was ‘injured’ during a post-season drinks party.
It later emerged that the midfielder had sustained the injury during a struggle with a teammate.
“Callum is our captain and a key member of the squad and we are extremely disappointed that this injury has occurred,” Swans football boss Charlie Gardiner said in a statement at the time.
‘Callum is just as disappointed as you can imagine, but he is recovering well and will start his rehabilitation straight away.’
For some players, Mad Monday has been postponed as clubs conduct exit interviews with all players after the season, with more AFL stars expected to attend later in the week.
Players from the Adelaide Crows, who finished a disappointing 15th this season, opted for a golf-themed day, with controversial star Josh Rachele not to be missed in his two-piece.
Retired Rory Sloane was also spotted on the team bus with four packs of Hard Fizz Sparkling Seltzer in his hand.
Sloane is an owner-ambassador of the popular alcoholic beverage.
A host of football stars were spotted enjoying themselves on Mad Monday (pictured are the Adelaide Crows stars prior to their golf day)
Controversial Crows forward Josh Rachele was impossible to miss in his dreadful two-piece matching outfit
Retired Rory Sloane was spotted with four packs of Hard Fizz – he is an owner ambassador for the brand
Richmond players en route to the Rising Sun Hotel in Melbourne (pictured is defender Noah Balta)
Tigers star Toby Nankervis turned heads when he dressed as Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story films
Kamdyn McIntosh was probably best dressed as Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Samson Ryan dressed up as Patrick Starfish from SpongeBob SquarePants for the Mad Monday celebrations
As the hours passed, some of Richmond’s players appeared to be in a worse state (photo)
In 2022, former Bulldogs defender Zaine Cordy was visibly drunk at the club’s Mad Monday party
Cordy was later carried to a waiting taxi by Western Bulldogs teammates – and subsequently widely condemned for his behaviour
Elsewhere, Richmond’s players headed to the Rising Sun Hotel, but the celebrations would not have been as lavish as 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 championship midfielder retired with immediate effect earlier this month.
Despite persistent rumours linking Martin to the Gold Coast Suns, the three-time championship winner hung up his boots at Punt Road as a one-club player.
Among the players in attendance at the Rising Sun were Tom Lynch, Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Hugo Ralphsmith, Samson Ryan and Kamdyn McIntosh.
Parties celebrated in the same pub were described as ‘cosy’ and ‘subdued’.
Collingwood’s Jack Crisp showed his mature side by not attending the end of season festivities.
On Monday, he posted an Instagram story, which has since expired, 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 set to be premier in 2023.