The Brisbane Lions roster looked worse for wear but triumphant as they rolled into their Mad Monday celebrations after what has been described as an all-weekend blowout.
The Lions secured back-to-back AFL premierships on Saturday, capturing their fifth title overall and becoming the most successful club of the 21st century.
They thrashed Geelong by 47 points at the MCG, powered by a best-on-ground performance from Will Ashcroft, who claimed his second consecutive Norm Smith Medal.
And from the siren on Saturday at the MCG to the rooftop bar in Brisbane on Monday, the Lions players have barely stopped celebrating.
The players rocked up to a rooftop bar for their Mad Monday celebrations after two days of straight partying, some looking worse for wear, others ready to go all over again.
They kept their costumes under wraps for the waiting media, concealed in bags to put on at their private function.
Hugh McCluggage had a blinder in the grand final and appeared ready for a blinder at Mad Monday as well, with the premiership trophy in tow
Lachie Neale was hitting the tins before he even got into the Mad Monday venue in Brisbane
Dark sunglasses were a common theme for the Lions players, who concealed their costumes in bags as they made their way into the venue
Oscar McInerney arrived ready to party like an NRL player with fresh kit bought from a merchandise store
Emerging tall Darcy Wilmot gave a hint to his costume, carrying a pink Cowboy hat outside of his concealed outfit. He was also nursing a cast on his left arm, the price of victory.
Hugh McCluggage had the honours of carrying the premiership trophy into the party, hiding his eyes behind dark sunglasses.
Big Oscar McInerney, who missed last year’s grand final through injury, arrived carrying freshly purchased NRL gear, possibly Newcastle Knights merch.
Captain Lachie Neale, who busted the game open in the second half after there were fears he would miss the decider with a busted calf, threw a couple of curve balls about his costume.
He walked into the venue carrying a straw hat, colourful attire and a cheeky can of rum.
However, he also shared an image to Instagram dressed as a Teletubby from the strange but popular children’s show from the 1990s.
‘Back to back’ he posted in an image showing an unidentified player wearing a dress and holding a beer along with defender Darcy Gardiner in a costume that looked like it was from reality television show Survivor.
The partying began at the MCG, where the players lingered for some time, sharing embraces with loved ones and their first of many beers.
Brandon Starcevich celebrates with supporters at the MCG just after the Lions claimed their back-to-back premierships on Saturday
Lachie Neale posted this image to his Instagram on Monday, but it is unclear whether he actually dressed as a Teletubby
Cam Rayner shared pictures of his dogs Ani and Obi wearing his premiership medal in the wee hours of the morning
Then it was into the full party mode, with Will Ashcroft sharing an image of beers on the team bus captioned ‘my dawgs #back2back’.
Charlie Cameron shared footage from the official after party on Saturday night, riding the shoulders of an unknown person and replicating his goal celebration dance to the tune of the Black Eyed Peas.
Sunday brought a scaled-back public celebration: the team gathered at Fitzroy for a fan day before flying home to Queensland.
But Sunday night was far from quiet, with veteran Dayne Zorko revealing some players were still sending videos at 5am.
One player guilty of throwing around cheeky images was Cam Rayner, who shared pics of his two dogs Ani and Obi – yes they were named after Star Wars – wearing his premiership medal.
It capped off a best-on-ground weekend of celebrations for Rayner, with Zorko crowning the Lions star for his efforts.
‘Cam Rayner has probably been best on ground, I don’t know how he’s still going he was sending me videos at 5am, he got home at 6am the day before,’ Zorko said.
‘He’s had a fair dinkum go. We will have some more drinks today [Monday] and then our B&F [best and fairest] on Thursday.’
The celebrations started at the MCG, continued on the team bus and didn’t stop for the back-to-back premiers
Jaspa Fletcher shows off his premiership medal at the after party in Melbourne on Saturday
Charlie Cameron kicked four goals in the grand final and celebrated just as hard. He’s pictured on somebody’s shoulders while hitting the dance floor
Last year, coach Chris Fagan was guilty of going a bit too hard at the post-premiership celebrations. He said he learned his lesson this time around.
‘I watched a few highlights when I got back from the function,’ he said of his celebrations. ‘It was 4am last year, it was 11pm last night.
‘Had one beer and feel fresh today. There’s a fair few functions coming up.
‘The thing I enjoyed the most was when Oscar McInerney and Darcy Gardiner got their medals. That was special. They carried the cup off the ground as well.’
