WTF: Catman’s call to ‘rise up’, train pain, Stretch the sub

This week’s AFL grand final edition of WTF takes a look at some of the wonderful, wacky and downright weird events of the last week.

The Cats’ grand final loss to Brisbane has stung some more than others.

Catman feeling the pain at the grand final. Picture: Alan Barber.

Catman has not taken the loss well.

After purring all week, the fanged one went to some, um, weird areas post-game.

The self-described “sovereign citizen” refused to accept the defeat because “we don’t play by the current rules”.

“I do not accept this loss, I think it is our game to be won. I demand to use our credit like you do in a shop,” he said on social media.

And, of course, there was a conspiracy – Brisbane’s co-captain Lachie Neale injury was a hoax.

“I’m not accepting this as a sovereign citizen at all and I think we should all rise up and demand a replay so that we can collect our thoughts and win like we should be winning,” he said.

Marg “Catwoman” Bright and Troy “Catman” West ahead of the grand final. Picture: Alan Barber.

After getting a far from favourable response from his 9000 Instagram followers, Catman tried to cool things down.

“Just to clarify, I am not actually a sovereign citizen,” he explained.

“I used that term without thinking of the connection to that mongrel on the run.

“I hate guns and I am very law abiding.”

Well, good to have that sorted.

TRAIN PAIN FOR SOME

Cats fans Katy Germon and Belinda Robertson made their way to Melbourne on the train. Picture: Alan Barber.

Train pain was a double whammy for fatigued feline footy fans following Saturday’s great nothing.

After watching their team capitulate on the biggest stage, Geelong supporters looking for a smooth ride home were greeted with anything but.

V/Line should by now know how busy the Geelong line gets on the last Saturday of the season – it’s the sixth MCG grand final the Cats have contested in the past 20 years.

Things seemed to run smoothly in the morning, with packed service after packed service delivering fans to Melbourne.

But, like Geelong themselves, the regional rail service appeared unsighted after half time.

The 8.10pm service from Southern Cross wasn’t on the platform until some time later, waylaid by the late arrival of another train.

It still hadn’t left as the next service sat full but motionless at its own departure time.

The conductor explained there was “some confusion” as to which train was leaving first – confusion that continued for some time – and later admitted V/Line was struggling to explain the wait.

“We’re finding it hard to justify that delay,” the conductor conceded.

After 16 minutes, the 8.30pm service got going – but it wasn’t the end of the fiasco.

The service – ostensibly to Waurn Ponds – was abruptly terminated at Geelong station, forcing passengers to disembark and wait for the next train.

STRETCH THE SUB

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj posing with fans at the Cats’ open training session ahead of the grand final. Picture: Facebook.

Some observers were left wondering whether Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj was positioning himself for a late call-up to replace the concussed Tom Stewart given his keenness to hit the track at the Cats’ open training session last week.

Kontelj was seen shaking many a hand, posing for photos with fans and talking with the club heavyweights, leading some to suggest he was only moments away from breaking out in club gear and going for a stride down the wing in white footy boots.

Stretch Kontelj and Bailey Smith on Sunday. Picture: Michael Klein.

Fast forward to Sunday at the Cats’ family event, and while Kontelj was still front and centre, his mood was rather more sombre.

“It feels like we have had someone in the family pass away,” he said.

Originally published as WTF: Catman’s call to ‘rise up’, train pain, Stretch the sub