Time On: Who attended Gill McLachlan’s farewell party

All the movers and shakers partied with Gillon McLachlan at his farewell shindig on Thursday night, but feeling a little dusty didn’t put a stop to the continued celebrations on Friday.

Bruce McWilliam, James Warburton, Kerry Stokes, Gillon McLachlan, Lewis Martin and Maryna Fewster at the lunch. Picture: Carly Ravenhall

Time On is your daily wrap-up of all the footy gossip and banter.

A dusty Gillon McLachlan backed up on Friday after his big farewell shindig.

McLachlan, who exits as boss of the AFL after the grand final, was celebrated with a movers and shakers gathering of around 200 people on Thursday night in Prahran. It featured speeches from Richard Goyder, Kylie Rogers, Brian Walsh, Travis Auld and his successor Andrew Dillon.

“I didn’t know Travis was so funny,’’ said one attendee.

Among those there were Jeff Kennett, Andrew Demetriou, Craig Kelly, Eddie McGuire, Nathan Buckley, Michael Long, Patrick Dangerfield, Steve Rosich and Lewis Martin. We hear Magpies CEO Kelly was one of many who hit the dancefloor.

McLachlan stepped out on Friday at the traditional AFL Grand Final Eve Luncheon at Crown with the likes of Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes, plus a raft of footy identities and legends including Joel Selwood, Shaun Burgoyne, Jonathan Brown, Leigh Matthews and Peter Daicos.

Gillon McLachlan at the Grand Final Eve lunch. Picture: Carly Ravenhall

Danielle Laidley and Donna Leckie at the lunch. Picture: Carly Ravenhall

Former Magpies president McGuire said he’d never been asked for more grand final tickets.

“Millions of requests,’’ he said.

“This year has been extraordinary. (I said) what do you reckon, I walk around with a thousand in my pocket? After I look after my family, my friends, people who I want to be friends, then Collingwood people, I’ll give to you — that’s what I’ve said to those who’ve asked.

“Once Kiss have done their business and then it’s on (I’ll be nervous). I haven’t been to a grand final as a citizen before so I’m excited.”

Daicos joined his old Collingwood coach Matthews for a Q&A on stage with Hamish McLachlan.

He spoke of his pride in his sons Nick and Josh, who spent hours kicking footballs while they growing up.

“They’re raring to go,’’ he said. “That’s all that matters now. Last week they were a lot more nervous just knowing they were one away from playing in a grand final.”

Matthews said he coached Brisbane after a phone call from Jeff Browne.

“That was the phone call that asked me if I could go coach the Brisbane Lions. He was a conduit back then. The words he said, ‘Leigh the Brisbane Lions want you to coach them and they’ll pay you $500,000 to do it.”

Matthews will present the Premiership Cup should Brisbane win.

“I’ve tried not to barrack since 2008 but I’ve found myself barracking a lot the last few weeks,’’ he said.

Garry Lyon also made an emotional tribute to the late Ron Barassi.

Bruce McWilliam, James Warburton, Kerry Stokes, Gillon McLachlan, Lewis Martin and Maryna Fewster. Picture: Carly Ravenhall

Footy great Ben Cousins says “life’s great” after coming back from the brink during his drug addiction.

Cousins has turned his life around and landed a job reading the morning sports bulletin with Seven News in Perth.

“It’s been a long road, it really has,” he said on Sunrise Friday morning.

“I wish it hadn’t needed to run its course like it did, but life’s great at the moment. When you strip everything back and assess your life, for anybody, it really is in its simplest form, goes back to what makes you happy and for a long time I wasn’t. But, you know, I very much am these days.”

Ben Cousins has turned his life around and landed a job reading the morning sports bulletin with Seven News in Perth. Picture: 7News

Ben Cousins and his sister, Melanie Cousins, arrive at the 2023 Brownlow Medal at Crown Palladium. Picture: Getty Images

Cousins, the West Coast Eagles great, said he was enjoying his time in Melbourne after attending the Brownlow Medal on Monday with his sister Melanie.

“Life’s good,” he said. “And super stoked to be in Melbourne. I really enjoy my time here, but particularly Grand Final week – it’s an amazing time of the year.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity (with Seven) definitely out of my comfort zone, but enjoying it more and more with time.”

Cousins is tipping Collingwood to win the Grand Final.

“I think it’s going to be a really close game. I think Collingwood have been the best side all year. I do think that counts for something. Having said that, Brisbane won the last six against Collingwood… but I’m still going to go with Pies in a close one.”