Geelong players facing backlash for dressing as pensioners in Mad Monday celebrations

Geelong's premiership-winning stars have taken aim at the critics who wrote them off as an ageing team with hilarious Mad Monday costumes. 

Led by Patrick Dangerfield, the Cats arrived at the Wharf Shed in Geelong and rolled out of a retirement village bus complete with grey hair, sweaters, and walking sticks.

It was a hilarious way to stroll on through to Mad Monday celebrations but it had an incredibly tongue-in-cheek message toward their critics.

But, in typical 2022 fashion, their stunt has sparked outrage among a small portion of so-called fans.

In a sport where players often hit their prime before the age of 25, Geelong entered the season with 11 players over the age of 30.

Their grand final lineup had an average age of 28 years and 206 days which made it the oldest team to take the field in VFL/AFL history. 

The ‘Grandads’ of the AFL sure didn’t let any age nonsense get to them over the weekend as they absolutely dominated the Sydney Swans in their premiership-winning victory. 

However, it was clear the noise about their age had not been lost on them during their team celebrations.

Captain Joel Selwood, who will be coming Geelong’s oldest player on the roster next season at 34 years and three months of age, led the charge for the hilarious antics.

Norm Smith Medalist Isaac Smith, who at one point fell out of the bus before being helped to his feet, claimed Selwood was the genius behind it all. 

He told The Herald Sun: “Well, it’s appropriate - the oldest team ever.

“Coming in on the retirement bus. To be honest, most of their movements aren’t that put on, that’s probably the most concerning part about it all.”

Adding: “I think there’s a little bit of extra sauce on it today, because we were lucky enough to win it all.”

Dangerfield confirmed Selwood had put the plan into action even before the team had secured their win on the weekend.

He told reporters via Fox Sports: “Wednesday pre-Grand Final, Joel sent a text around saying ‘I’ve organised a retirement bus for Mad Monday’ – so it was great to see the captain’s head was well and truly in the game and ready for performance. And then the kits came later.”

However, some supporters have suggested the stunt was out of line and 'belittling' the elderly.

Talkback callers phoned in to 3AW radio to discuss the spectacle.

One listener said: "I don’t see the funny side of belittling the elderly.

“I think it will taint Joel Selwood’s accolades from Saturday.”

Another aired the grievances, saying: "I disagree. I think it was inappropriate.

“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.”

Whilst the older crew of players certainly stole the show, they weren’t the only ones to arrive in outrageous costumes.

Former Giants star Jeremy Cameron, arrived dressed as a chicken in hilarious scenes, whilst others came as UFC fighters, football stars, and even Daft Punk.