Vintage Football Jumpers are becoming a rarity as they become highly collectable for AFL football fans, historians and archivists.

Collingwood vintage jumper

Passionate footy fans seek to have a complete set of their clubs football jumpers, jerseys, or guernseys. Over a period of time these fans have seen many changes in the style, logos and designs of the jumper. It was originally made of knitted wool, then acrylic to the modern day polyester . A popular, modern style is the sleeveless variety replacing the more traditional long sleeved version of previous decades.

Magpies

Magpies

In 1996 the AFL changed its logo to the current one . Clubs have reinvented their team logos with rejigged mascots and revamped signage. What remains as a constant is the much revered team colours, the team name and  a version of the mascot.

Many Historians and Archivists are creating a curated collection  of the humble AFL football jersey, guernsey, jumper as a record of the games past, present and future. The older style jumpers, often much beloved of  football fans are growing in popularity and are becoming increasingly hard to find.

Magpies

Melbourne Demons Jumper

An AFL or NRL Football Jumper,Jersey, Guernsey, can be dated from the sponsors logo. Keen fans will know the age of the Jumper,Jersey, Guernsey by the logo patch.

State of Origin Jersey

Fans are happy to wear their Jumper,Jersey, Guernsey to home and away matches despite the current signage.

AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos

Especially prized are those Jumpers,Jerseys, Guernseys sporting older team logos, which advertises their obvious   vintage or retro connections.

AFL Carlton Blues Football Jumper

AFL Football Jumpers, Jerseys, Guernseys do change. Whilst the style and colours remain a constant part of the design, team sponsors,  and fabric of manufacture vary.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

AFL Essendon Football Club

AFL North Melbourne Kangaroos

Initially the original  football jumpers, jerseys, guernseys were knitted from wool. The team colours and club insignia was constant. Players wore a long sleeved version of the football jumper, jersey, guernsey with a collar and button up front.  Manufacturing processes changed and the guernsey was still knitted but from acrylic wool. Long sleeves, v necks with collars, favourite players numbers sewn on the back and sewn on AFL logo patches proliferated.

AFL Melbourne Demons Football Guernsey

Fitzroy Football Club were the first football club that began displaying sponsors logos on guernseys for a commercial fee. Ironic that the club was deemed to be economically unviable by the AFL, and ceased to exist . An amalgamation of sorts was attempted with the establishment of a new team the Brisbane Bears in Queensland, who bore the FFC initials on the back of their guernsey . A later incarnation saw the Brisbane Lions adopt the Fitzroy team mascot of a lion on their guernsey.

Today, collectors, football fans, club historians, lovers of AFL, and curators collect the older style vintage, and retro football jumpers, guernseys, and jerseys. Irreplaceable and markers of a pivotal point in an AFL Club's history they are highly coveted items.

AFL Sydney Swans Football Guernsey

Summer is the off season for the AFL. Many players are taking advantage of the long summer break to get married.  Gary Ablett Jnr and Patrick Dangerfield both wed on 1 January 2016, celebrating New Years Day nuptials. Liam Picken wed on New Years Eve, 2015. When the AFL Season ends players often enjoy an extended overseas holiday, or take the opportunity to play in the  International Rules Series in Ireland.

Vintage Saints Jumper

It is a time of retirements, re-signings and trades, rejuvenated training schedules, and team development. AFL Footy players usually enjoy some private time away from  public  scrutiny and media exposure.

tigers vintage jumper

Fans may turn their attention to cricket . Football Jumpers, jerseys, guernseys are rarely retired though. The sleeveless version can and will be worn throughout summer. New sponsors are signed but the team colours don't change, except in the recent case of Essendon Bombers who dropped the grey from their clash football guernsey, jersey, jumper.

Bombers Football Jumper

Vintage jumpers remain a constant and are feted by loyal fans all year long. Historically interesting they remain a regular feature to the proud owners collection.

Its round 18 , in the AFL 2014 Home and Away Season . By now , beleaguered fans will know if their club will be in the Finals . Many have endured a season of winter chills , highlights , and disappointments . It is at this stage of the season that retirements are announced , players struggle to find form to retain their place in the team , and coaches are under pressure to deliver a finals appearance .

Vintage Tigers Footy Jumper

The ever evolving , football jumper , jersey , guernsey has changed too . What was once a humble piece of apparel , used to brand and identify players and supporters alike ,it has morphed into a slick , aerodynamic ,piece with colourful , graphic designs , and sponsors logos sublimated on them .

Hawks footy jumper