Overview

• Sam De Koning and Ollie Dempsey arrived in an Aston Martin with a Cotton On logo over the number plate and carried brown paper bags, joking about their contents.
• The gag referenced ongoing fan chatter after Bailey Smith’s lucrative Cotton On partnership and Chris Scott’s Morris Finance income were scrutinised, with part of Scott’s pay included in the soft cap earlier this season.
• The league’s review of third‑party payments is reported to be on track to issue a fine for paperwork mistakes.
• Geelong’s interest in stars Charlie Curnow, Zak Butters and Rowan Marshall this year has heightened rival fans’ focus on the club’s cap position.
• Retiring stalwart Mitch Duncan wore West Coast coaching gear at the event, with his move to an Eagles assistant role reported as likely in the coming weeks.