Geelong players celebrate Mad Monday after 2025 GF loss, Bailey Smith in hot water again
The AFL’s first bisexual male player Mitch Brown has slammed Bailey Smith over his Mad Monday post referencing Brokeback Mountain. See the full wrap of the Cats’ Mad Monday here.
Mitch Brown has hit out at Bailey Smith and his “homophobic” Mad Monday antics after the Geelong star posted a quickly-deleted Brokeback Mountain reference on Instagram.
The AFL’s first openly bisexual man urged Geelong and its star to “do better” saying the social media boasts were homophobic and made them a “loser”.
Smith posted the reference after arriving at the drinks dressed as Brad Pitt’s character, Tristan Ludlow, from the western movie Legends of the Fall.
Brown also took a humorous swipe at Smith’s costume saying that Heath Ledger is “way hotter”.
“In all seriousness though, guys do better,” Brown wrote.
“Last time I checked, losing a grand final doesn’t make you gay, but being homophobic definitely makes you a loser.”
Brown made history in August, when the former West Coast player spoke on his sexuality and called on the AFL to do more to educate players around inclusivity and homophobia.
Smith also landed in hot water over a sledge he made to footy journalist Caroline Wilson, who was portrayed by midfielder Max Holmes. He later deleted the post.
Smith also mocked veteran journalist Caroline Wilson on Instagram.
On the way into the event, a jovial Smith told reporters he hadn’t “sunk piss all weekend, so I’m due”.
Smith posted an Instagram story being hugged by captain Patrick Dangerfield, who went as a character from hit TV show Yellowstone, with the caption, “or brokeback mountain depends how ya look at it” and “this is what losing a granny does to ya.”
Max Holmes went as Wilson donning a dress, a wig and an arrow in reference to the journalist’s former segment on show Footy Classified ‘Caro’s arrow’.
Smith posted the photo with the caption “Caro has never looked better” with a water splash emoji which can mean sweat or have sexual connotations.
He also wrote “so naughty.”
Despite posting another Instagram story with the caption “alright phone away”, he then uploaded another video zooming in on Holmes dressed as Wilson.
Holmes wasn’t the only player in a contentious kit, with Mark O’Connor, Cillian Burke and Mark Blicavs coming as controversial rap group Kneecap, accused of being supporters of terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
As Smith arrived at the Wharf Shed in Geelong, he said he was ready for a big day.
“Brad Pitt’s got me covered, we just changed down there in the car and ready to go, ready to pin the ears back,” Smith said.
“It’s a big day, got to carry the boats, ready to go.
“Haven’t sunk piss all weekend, so I’m due.”
Today’s antics come after Smith drew significant criticism for verbally abusing veteran Geelong Advertiser reporter Alison Wynd earlier this month, apologising to her the next day via text.
Ollie Dempsey and Sam De Koning were best on at the Cats’ celebrations as they bought into the speculation surrounding Smith’s Cotton On deal.
“We just came from home basically with what we usually wear, just drove in our usual car,” De Koning said with a smile.
Asked what is in the brown paper bag, De Koning quipped: “Oh, don’t look at that! My pockets weren’t big enough.”
The retiring Mitch Duncan showed up in a West Coast polo and a whistle in the biggest hint yet he’ll end up as an assistant coach at the Eagles, where he has been linked.
Dangerfield and Rhys Stanley arrived in a car with ‘Dangerfield Ranch’ emblazoned on the car.
Veterans of Geelong’s end-of-season celebrations, Dangerfield and Stanley chose comfort over anything too over the top.
“If you’re going to lose, lose well,” Dangerfield chuckled.
“Rhys and I went for what’s going to be comfortable, what can be commercialised – thanks RM Williams, and that’s about it.
“It’s a tough way for (the season) to end, you definitely want to be there – you definitely want to be in that last game.
“It’s hard to answer questions seriously with an akubra and sunnie,” he added with a smile.
Melbourne midfielder Clayton Oliver infamously travelled down to Stanley’s farm as the Cats attempted to poach him last year, and the ruckman was asked if there were any more players heading down to his own ranch ahead of the 2025 trade period.
“We’ll see, might be a couple,” Stanley said tongue in cheek.
There were smurfs, South Park characters and more as Brad Close came as Geelong superfan ‘Catman’, while Shannon Neale bought into his family and friends’ tequila shot tradition after each goal he kicks with a Mexican themed outfit.
Originally published as Geelong players celebrate Mad Monday after 2025 GF loss, Bailey Smith in hot water again
