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The city of Geelong is continuing to bask in the glow of the Cats' AFL premiership victory, as the team's raucous celebrations — including wresting a premiership medal back from a cow — roll on.
Key points:
- The Cats have returned to their heartland to meet with fans at Kardinia Park
- Star player Jeremy Cameron documented his celebrations on social media, including a video where he gave his premiership medal to a cow
- Captain Joel Selwood is remaining quiet on his future with the club amid retirement speculation
Fans began gathering at St Mary's Oval at Kardinia Park from early Sunday morning, to savour the win with the players.
Many fans woke with heavy heads and croaky voices after a jubilant night of celebration, as the streets of Geelong and Melbourne became a sea of blue and white.
In the Cats' home city, police taped off the streets of central Geelong to cars to allow the fans to celebrate the club's first premiership win in 11 years.
Cas Kovac said he'd come down to the Cats home turf to gather signatures and photos of his favourite players.
But the 10-year-old had already snagged a treasured piece of premiership memorabilia, after getting the boots of Tom Atkins after the game.
"I squished through all the people in the crowd and I asked him if I could have his boots and he went 'oh, my boots', and then he took them off and gave them to me," Cas said.
"I left them at home [today] because I didn't want them to get stolen."
Fan Cheryl Rossiter was among those soaking up the good vibes, after screaming her time to victory in the MCG on Saturday.
"So my voice is a bit hoarse," she joked.
"It's great for the town, the atmosphere's awesome, a beautiful day."
Cats coach Chris Scott thanked supporters for their support during the tough lockdowns of the past two years.
"We'll never forget what you did for us through the pandemic," Scott said.
"You couldn't be there with us but we felt you every step of the way. Thank you."
Social media moments go viral — including Cameron's calf
Social media videos posted by Cats players showed a night of intense celebrations, including one clip from Jeremy Cameron where a premiership medal ended up around the neck of a cow's calf.
"Can I have my medal back?" Cameron asked the calf, before it ambled out into the paddock.
"Let him have it for the night," Cameron said.
"Let him have it for the night, go on, get out there, enjoy it, enjoy it, it's for all of us!"
After kicking goals on Saturday, Cameron was best-on-ground for social media posting, with a steady stream of Instagram stories continuing well into the morning.
Wearing sunglasses at Kardinia Park on Sunday, he said "the thing I've learnt overnight is not to give your medal to a cow at 5am".
"Easy to put on the cow, hard to get back," he said.
He said he had to get a few mates to round up the calf, assuring the crowd "no cows were harmed".
"It was probably a bit silly, wasn't it," he conceded.
Amid the celebrations, touching moments involving the team have also gone viral.
Captain Joel Selwood carried out Gary Ablett Jr's son Levi onto the field before the match began in a moment widely applauded by social media users.
But it was after his team's searing win that Selwood most tugged at the heartstrings — finding club water boy Sam Moorfoot in the crowd.
The 29-year-old lives with Down syndrome and is a well-known fixture at the Cats.
After Selwood found him in the crowd, he helped him across the barrier onto the turf of the MCG.
The moment was made even sweeter when Cameron took off his medal and put it around Moorfoot's neck.
Cats and families 'on top of the world'
Selwood's future at the club remains under heavy speculation, with the 34-year-old rumoured to be planning an exit from the game this year.
Speaking to Channel 9 this morning, Selwood refused to confirm or deny his plans, saying "we'll talk throughout the week with the club".
"There's a bit to go through," he said.
Mother Maree Selwood said the family had been on "on top of the world" after her son enjoyed his fourth premiership at the club.
"This was our eighth grand final that we've been involved with, which is truly remarkable and to just have that icing on the cake at the end of it, it's so good after all the hard work that goes into it," she told ABC Radio Melbourne.
Ms Selwood said she was somewhat surprised by media speculation that her son could be mulling hanging up the boots after a 15-year AFL career, to spend more time with his family as he and his wife Brit expect their first child.
"I think he's quite capable … if you're asking me, I'd love to see him play on," she said.
"It's entirely up to him of course, but I think he's good enough to go on."
The Cats' vice-president, Diana Taylor, told Channel Seven the win was "extraordinary".
"Over a decade in the making to get to yesterday," she said.
"Players were back here [in Geelong] having a quiet couple … with family and friends last night, it was a great way for everyone to celebrate together."