Has the reaction to Sam Docherty's rant been over the top? Is this the beginning of the end for Geelong? Should there have been an AFL match on the public holiday Monday in Victoria?
Let's get to this week's AFL overreactions column, where we judge the week's big takeaway as legitimate or irrational.
Sam Docherty's rant was valid, and it getting aired publicly isn't a bad thing
Carlton's 63-point loss to the Swans on Thursday night clearly rubbed a few people up the wrong way, including former skipper Sam Docherty. Thinking he was talking privately to footy media star Dan Gorringe, Docherty left a voice note that feature a number of swear words and frustrations about Carlton's same old philosophy in games.
"So, basically what happens -- and exactly what happened again last night -- is the same shit that happens every other game," is an excerpt of the rant.
"When the game's hot and contested and pressurised, Carlton's good in that environment, but as soon as some team can do somewhat good in the contest, the rest of the game just f------ falls to pieces.
"But then they start losing contests, they get under pressure, they can't get a hold of the ball, and they're just an absolute f------ s----show.
The decision for Gorringe to play the audio has come under fire, notably from esteemed broadcaster Gerard Whately who called it 'reprehensible'. Docherty has also been withdrawn from a Carlton function ahead of Thursday night's match against Richmond.
Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
Yes, you'd prefer permission (or knowledge) before having the audio aired out, but this was honestly the most refreshing piece of footy media I've consumed in months. Unfiltered, raw, and from a place of passion, Docherty's words reflect the feelings of a fan base that just wants to see change and improvement.
In an age of footy players being media trained to within an inch of their lives, Docherty -- who has worked in the media -- was real, giving us his actual thoughts, not some 'we've got to stick together, we're on a journey' bulls---, pardon me getting into the spirit of the speech.
This isn't an excuse to start airing out private conversations willy nilly, but the reaction has been overblown. Reprehensible? It's mates talking footy, not some ongoing conflict or anything with meaningful consequence. Call it a 6-6-6 warning, but no free kick.
-- Matt Walsh
We're finally seeing the beginning of the end for Geelong
Geelong's 2026 campaign got off to the worst possible start, thumped by an impressive Gold Coast outfit by 56 points in Opening Round in a result that immediately raises concerns about whether the Cats' long-lasting era at the top is finally coming to a close.
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Yep, the loss was an ugly one, Geelong just not on the same level and looking a step behind all night, thoroughly outplayed (centre clearance count aside) by a scary Suns side that genuinely looks like a premiership contender. But declaring the beginning of the end after one game in a 25-week season? Please, let's stop jumping the gun.
Remember, this is still a team that played in a Grand Final last year and remains one of the most experienced sides in the competition, their average list age of 25.3 not far behind Collingwood's 25.6.
Chris Scott still has quality on each line, and they were also missing their two biggest stars in Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron. It doesn't make up the 56-point difference, but it still matters.
We've seen that Opening Round blowouts happen, too. Just last season the Magpies lost by more than 50 points to GWS in their first game of the year and still made a preliminary final. It's why a single result should never frame your opinion of a team's entire season.
In saying that, it doesn't mean the concerns some might have about these Cats aren't real, their list profile does suggest a slide could come sooner rather than later (how long have we been saying that for?), and history isn't kind to teams coming off heavy Grand Final defeats, with sides beaten by 40+ in the big one failing to at least win a final the following season since 1995.
But we simply do not have enough evidence of a drop off. Not just yet. And this result may say much more about Gold Coast's credentials than it does about a decline at Kardinia Park.
This is a team that has built a reputation over the years for finding a way to contend despite the wider doubts about them. If results like Opening Round do keep happening, then let's have this conversation again, but after one game? Just relax, everyone.
-- Jarryd Barca
There should be a footy game at the MCG on Labor Day in Victoria
Talkback was awash with bored punters on Monday morning, calling in and wondering why there isn't a footy match scheduled for the afternoon of the public holiday in Victoria. Why not play a game, Monday 3:20pm on the MCG? Is there merit to this train of thought?
Verdict: OVERREACTION
Victorian footy nuffs are never shaking the 'Vic bias' tag, are they? Let's get this straight: Monday was a public holiday in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the ACT. But not in Queensland, New South Wales, or Western Australia. It would be a bit bizarre, wouldn't it, playing footy at 3pm on a Monday, while half the country (and potential eyeballs) are at work? Yes, it happens on King's Birthday here in Victoria, but why do it multiple times a year? More eyeballs on footy, please, not fewer.
What the AFL should have done -- and it's clear the Opening Round concept still has its teething issues with fixturing -- is play a game on the Sunday prior to the prime time clash between St Kilda and Collingwood. The slot was crying out for a Sunday arvo clash, but instead, we had to wait until the evening to watch some footy. Sure, the F1 Grand Prix was on, but the AFL has gone head-to-head with it many times before.
It took the AFL a couple of years to realise the potential of a prime time Sunday night clash before Victoria's Labor Day, so maybe they'll get it right in 2027.
-- Matt Walsh