Vintage football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys , are highly sought by football fans,  and collectors alike.

Often, they belong to a team that no longer exists, or has been amalgamated ,into another team .

Vintage Hawthorn Football Jumper

Popular teams in this category , are the Brisbane Bears , and the Fitzroy Lions .Both were either forerunners to , or were amalgamated , into the current Brisbane Lions team.

Avid fans and collectors , will seek out and secure football jumpers,  from this era.

Many collected jumpers are encased under glass , in frames , others are worn with pride , to the game .

Fond memories , of a bygone , gentler era , are embedded deep into these nostalgic jumpers.

The period during which they were worn,  evokes poignant memories of a simpler , spectator sport . Remember that lair on the field , Warwick Capper , in his very short shorts playing for the Brissy Bears?

Paul Roos , Sydney Swans incumbent coach , Captained and performed heroic feats proudly attired in his Fitzroy Lions jumper .

Memories , individual , irreplacable , and timeless, tied up with the fans reverie and nostalgia for a bygone era. All foster a love for AFL football .

Vintage 1987 Brisbane Bears Football Jumper

There is nothing like a close AFL football Game, for spectator enjoyment.

Hawks Vintage Jumper

Last Friday night , the clash between St Kilda , and Hawthorn was such a Game .

Two evenly matched teams . The Hawks , lead by a point at the first break , the Saints by a point at half time , and at the 3rd , and last quarter nothing seperated them .The match ultimately resulting in a draw. Two points to each club.

Much has been written , and spoken about the Hawthorn disallowed goal in the final minutes , which most certainly cost the Hawks outright victory.

The bottom line is Hawthorn temporarily infringed, and then paid the price .

As a long time follower of AFL football, it ranks as one of the best games I have ever seen .

Two things stood out . St Kilda’s fighting spirit , and the Hawks great athleticism . All this , combined with the size and the roar of the crowd , and an adrenalin fuelled , action packed spectacle,  that thrilled fans to the very last ,  showcased friday night footy at its very best .

Neither club song was sung ,  but most fans went home with a song in their heart , knowing they had witnessed a truly great spectacle .

Saints clash Jumper

All around the country on cold , weekend mornings , young kids are playing  AFL football, in local competitions and clinics  .

Parents ,often nursing hangovers , or lack of sleep , watch on, whilst their youngsters play .

Each kid is usually kitted out,  in their AFL,  football jumper , jersey , guernsey .

All 16 AFL teams are represented .

Obviously , parochial favouritism of local teams occurs , but generally each player has a liking , family history , or reason,  for supporting their team, and wearing the jumper .

Many , wear the number of a favourite player , on their back .

A kaleidoscope of colours , teams , allegiances in football jumpers, on a local scale .

AFL Football , is alive and well at grass roots level , as well as on the bigger stage.

Nic Natinui 's Number 9 for West Coast Eagles

Last Tuesday , 6 July 2010 , the Big V , took on the All Stars team in the annual ,  EJ Whitten Legends Game . It is a charity fundraiser match, with  proceeds going to fight Cancer , which killed EJ Whitten , the former Footscray great .

It was a close tussle , with the All Stars running out victors on the night , despite a couple of handy goals from former, Cats great , Sam Newman .

A record crowd of 25,347 AFL fans attended the Game , which was held at Etihad Stadium , with the roof closed .

It poses the question what team colours , football jumper , jersey, guernsey , did the supporters wear ?

Who wore number 9 Jumper?

AFL Football is cut throat . Results are demanded , for a teams success , and coaches are sacrificed, if they are not forthcoming . Just ask Terry Wallace , Dean Laidley, and most recently Mark Williams.

AFL is a high powered, elite sport .The coach and his support staff are ultimately accountable for the teams success , and must justify the vast sums , spent on achieving this .

Supporters , often oblivious to behind the scenes wrangling , also demand a high level of achievement from their club . They go to the footy, wearing their football jumper , jersey , guernsey , believing their team can win.

Power axed Coach

The modern day , AFL,  football jumper, is vastly different to its predecessor.

Old style Football Jumper

Its multi-coloured,  dri – fit , polyester , and is usually sleeveless, with a round neck , that has sponsors, team logos, and a number printed on it .

Contrast to the older style , wool or acrylic knitted football jumper , often with long sleeves , button up front , v neck or collar and logos and number sewn on .

Many supporters like the newer style of jumpers, jerseys , guernseys.

Many prefer the older style of jumper.

Personal preference between the two.

Perhaps fans like the traditional style jumper, which is soaked in relevant memories , whilst the new kid on the block is yet to build any.

New , modern , Football Jumper

Nothing like it , Sunday afternoon in Melbourne , hundreds of fans surging down city streets , towards the  Football Stadium.

Most , are dressed in their teams colours , including football jumpers , jerseys , guernseys.

Cheerful expectation builds as the Ground gets closer.

All walks of life are represented . A feral , hippie young woman, sporting patchwork pants and dreadlocks with her Saints jumper on top. Family groups with flags , and kids with their favourite players number on the back of their jumper.

Groups of Gen Y’s in their jumpers , beanies or scarfs . There are also the senior fans with hand knitted scarfs , thermos ‘s and grey rinse perms , who have loved this game , and their team,  and come to the footy , throughout their long life .

All love the footy .

The atmosphere , the camaraderie , the building excitement , the roar of the crowd, the physical highs and lows of the players , even the smell of the turf .

AFL Football is a great spectator sport , and nothing rivals a closely contested Game,  for fans enjoyment.

Melbourne is Football

AFL Football, is a passionate game .

Just ask the Players, Coaches , Support Staff and Fans .

It can unite and divide. Family loyalties ,can even be tested, and friendship bonds breached.

At the conclusion of the match , after a great physical and mental contest ,there is usually only one winner , unless , extraordinary circumstances , deliver a rare draw.

Sometimes passions ignite ,and friendly banter , can turn ugly and vicious , both on and off the field.

Witness , Friday night’s fiery clash , between St Kilda defender Steven Baker,  and Geelong forward Steve Johnson. Baker , finished the night with stitches in a blackened and cut eye,  arguably delivered, by Johnson’s elbow to it .

Both are competitive , hard players , both niggle each other, on and off the field . It is their accepted ,style of play.

Fans enjoy the spectacle , many , attended the game in absymal weather conditions, in their football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys.

Fans don’t want to see, on field spats , carried on after the Game .

Leave it on the field , don’t turn it into a media circus , following the Match .

Another annoying , even predatory feature of Friday’s game, was the reaction of Geelong players , to the umpires decisions.

Significantly, the losing side’s players , argued vociferously with every decision.

Its a very unattractive feature of the modern game, which intimidates umpires,  and draws their attention away , from the game being played. Surely , the umpires decision is sacrosanct, and the AFL tribunal , is there to uphold any breaches,  of fair play .

A loser should accept the ump’s decision, and be gracious in defeat. It’s an inspirational feature,  of our great game .

Don’t make fans regret , wearing their jumper , jersey, guernsey .

Saints jumper , jersey , guernsey

The Saints , beat the Cats ,  in AFL , Friday Night Football , at the MCG .

St Kilda Saints , number one ticket holder , Eric Bana , was in the crowd.

He was wearing a Saints scarf , to show his support .

It appeared to be a non official , unlicensed product . In short , a cheap knock off.

With his multi – millionaire status , you would think the successful,  Australian actor , could afford the real thing.

Fair enough , members scarfs are a dime a dozen , with vintage one’s being highly collectable , and coveted , making them  hard to get.

Whilst we don’t expect him to don the Saints jumper , jersey , guernsey , we at least expect him to shell out, for an authentic scarf .

Perhaps an erstwhile trader , will send him one in the mail ?

Limited shopping opportunities in LA , or lack of time and resources , don’t excuse it , as a scarf is easily , purchasable on line.

Come on Eric , get real !

Real Saints Jumper

The split round of AFL matches,  for Round 13 , continues this weekend .

Saints and Cats , play tonight at the MCG , under lights , in front of a huge crowd.

Swans and Magpies,  play in Sydney , on Saturday night , at ANZ Stadium .

The Demons,  play the Crows , in Adelaide , on Sunday afternoon.

All games will be televised .

Port are having a rest

With only one Game to be played in Melbourne,  this weekend , many fans will be reduced , to wearing their football jumpers , jerseys, guernseys , whilst watching footy , on TV .

Disgruntled fans, will be keen to attend next weekend’s,  full round of matches .

This split round , is it a rest for the AFL players , or a clever marketing move by the AFL hierarchy.?

Demons play in Clash Jumper