As a purchaser of AFL football jumpers I have always noted they were made in Australia.

Historically Australian Made

Recently , I purchased several AFL,  authentic , licensed football jumpers , printed with official sponsors , from a major sporting goods retail outlet . All were made in China . Two seperate manufacturers produced them . Neither company , were the three traditional manufacturers , who had always made them in Australia .

A disturbing trend . The price has been maintained making them an expensive item and the quality of manufacture displays less attention to detail.

The AFL prides itself on a national competition,  and promotes the Australianess of the brand ,yet it allows football jumpers , previously manufactured in Australia , to be made in China .

Another great Aussie icon , the humble footy jumper , bites the dust ?

Chinese made

An end to summer is in sight with the nights and early mornings drawing in with less daylight and a drop in temperatures. With the changing season a football fans thoughts turn to their teams first game of the year .Last years jumper , jersey , guernsey is pulled out of the wardrobe and inspected . The questions has it got another season in it? , are the sponsors too dated ?but mainly will it still fit ?are asked .The sponsors may come and go, as will some of the mascots ( who would have thought the Lions would run out with a new Lion ).The team colours may appear a bit darker or lighter each passing year but one thing remains the same and will never go out of fashion ,at round one every ardent footy fan will be out in their teams colours wearing their jumper , jersey or guernsey.Sometimes these jumpers have often had a short respite over the warmer months but the humble jumper has definitely become more of a fashion trend and wearable iconic item of clothing over time .Of one thing you are assured , the jumper ,whether temporarily rested , newly purchased or freshly washed will be proudly on display at the first bounce of the Sherrin .

year of the Bomber