Brad Close marries Grace Ballinger at Melbourne Town Hall

It wasn’t the Mad Monday fans are used to seeing from the Geelong but a couple of star Cats marked the end of the season by getting hitched and stitched.

Brad Close tied the knot with Grace Ballinger at Melbourne Town Hall.

The newlyweds announced the nuptials on Instagram: “Married officially. Legal part done, now we wait for the main event … see you in Italy for the wedding”.

The post drew responses from the Cats’ inner circle, Joel Selwood posted two love heart emojis, Mitch Duncan’s wife Demi wrote, “congrats guys”.

Jeremy Cameron congratulated the happy couple, as did Bailey Smith in his ususal style: “F**k yeah”.

Smith must have been sending his well wishes from his hospital bed following a right shoulder reconstruction.

He posted a video with his arm in a sling and asked for TV series recommendations.

The Cats said Smith’s operation was due to a “chronic shoulder complaint he has managed all season.”

He’s expected to start pre-season training with the group and return to contact training early in 2027.

He’s not the only Geelong player to need medical attention following their season-ending loss to Fremantle on September 11.

Cameron will also undergo revision surgery on his right forearm later this week.

Mitch Edwards will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.

Rhys Stanley will undergo scans this week on a suspected pectoral injury sustained during Geelong’s VFL Preliminary Final on Sunday.

It’s a far cry from the Mad Monday and Wacky Wednesday celebrations of the past.

The Geelong Football Club banned the end-of-year celebrations after last year’s antics.

Max Holmes dressed up as journalist Caroline Wilson and Smith posted “Caro has never looked better” followed by a drip emoji.

Smith was flipping the bird in the photo.

There was also a photo of Patrick Dangerfield and Smith posted with a reference to the Brokeback Mountain movie.

The football club apologised at the time saying “certain costumes and social media posts were inappropriate”.

At the time, the AFL’s executive general manager of football performance Greg Swann said the league was “not thrilled”.

While the usual Mad Monday festivities won’t go ahead, a more low-key end-of-year celebration is believed to be planned for next week.

At the time, the AFL’s executive general manager of football performance Greg Swann said the league was “not thrilled”.

While the usual Mad Monday festivities won’t go ahead, a more low-key end-of-year celebration is believed to be planned for next week.