AFL world roasts Geelong Cats T-shirt stunt in Patrick Dangerfield 350th against Brisbane Lion at GMHBA Stadium
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Geelong's unique move to fill the stadium with white T-shirts for the club's big clash with the Brisbane Lions may not have drawn the response the Cats were seeking.
The reigning premiers burst out of the blocks and dictated play most of the night in a statement 14.8 (92) to 6.15 (51) victory that snaps Brisbane's long losing run in Geelong.
It all left the Cats' 'Kit out the Cattery' campaign falling a bit flat.
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Billed as 'a sight to behold' and a 'slice of history' on the Geelong website, the Cats covered every seat at GMHBA Stadium with what they described as 'a free collectable T-shirt' for the Friday night blockbuster.
It's a move that is often used in American sports and can have a strong look when everyone in the crowd is kitted out in the same colour.
Both the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder have adopted the move during their clash in the NBA Finals.
Bailey Smith in one of the white T-shirts handed out to the crowd. Photos: Getty Images
On a night when the club was also celebrating captain Patrick Dangerfield's 350th AFL game, the commentators were certainly getting into the spirit.
'They have kitted out the Cattery with the white T-shirts on every seat, inspiration drawn from the NBA and college football in the US,' Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy.
'It is quite the sight down the highway as the local heroes emerge.
'Patrick Dangerfield said one of his favourite parts of this would be (his children) Winnie, 'Flip' and George joining him to run through the banner.
'All the kids now fully aware of what they're part of, his place in Geelong lore, which grows tonight, game 350 … on a special night in the way that it shapes.'
The fans appeared to be enjoying their moment, with many donning the shirts and a number of others waving them in the air on a cold night in Geelong.
The Lions added a splash of colour to the occasion. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Nearly all of the OKC Thunder fans followed the memo during the NBA Finals. (Photo by)
The Lions may not have got the memo, however, as the premiers made a hot start bidding for a first victory at Kardinia Park since they won five straight from 1998 to 2003.
They have lost 13 consecutive games at the ground since then, yet they jumped out of the blocks with the game's first four goals.
By halftime they held a 23-point edge and fans on social media were having a field day over the white T-shirt promotion, with many referencing the white flag of surrender.
'Lol white out is a roaring success so far,' was one comment on X.
'I don't think the white out worked,' said another.
'White out turning into a whitewash,' quipped another.
'I didn't have high expectations for the white T-shirt thing but it's looking pretty average,' declared another.
'Conceded the first 4 of the game, wave the white flag,' said a fifth.
'What's with the white, did Geelong decide to surrender?' asked another watching on.
Others were left questioning the decision to use T-shirts as a gift on a Geelong night in late June.
One said: 'Yes because people are gonna be in a T-shirt on a 3 degrees night in Geelong.'
Another wrote: 'Yeah people are definitely gonna wear them on 5C winters night.'
Apart from the T-shirts, Patrick Dangerfield was the man of the moment. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
A wide number of fans used the word 'cringe' to describe the promotion, while another slammed 'the AFL's desperation to Americanise the game'.
Some fans were getting on board, with a Hawthorn fan writing: 'Hate Geelong as much as the next Hawks fan but god damn those white shirts in the crowd look good.'
A fan apparently in the crowd also gave an insight into perhaps why not everyone in the crowd was wearing the shirt.
'Late decision to make the trip down, might struggle to fit into my 2x small white out shirt,' they wrote.
Dangerfield and the Cats needed to lift in the second half or the crowd will indeed be waving the white flag.
But it wasn't to be as the Lions played the ultimate party poopers and showed their title defence is right on track.
Originally published as 'Surrender?': AFL world roasts Geelong T-shirt stunt in Danger's 350th
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