NRL jerseys need a revamp
Roar Pro I am always appalled by the state of NRL jerseys and alas I have nothing positive to say about them.
When I grew up in the ‘80s NSWRL jerseys were fairly simple, tidy and rarely changed. There was one sponsor on the front. These days they are covered in sponsor patches of various colours.
They also seem to change yearly, their designs are too busy and each team seems to have 3-4 designs during the season too. It’s an eyesore and the rot must stop!
The AFL and NFL are yardsticks by which the NRL must measure itself. Those leagues are far more successful financially than the NRL, so why do we do things so differently to them?
In those leagues the jerseys are simple, rarely change, feature player-specific numbers and aren’t covered in ads (NFL ones are ad free!). People buy those jerseys by the truckload while I’m left cringing at NRL jerseys.
If I was in charge of the NRL I would adopt a player-specific numbering system so that each player keeps that number for his whole stay at a certain team, it would work like this:
Props choose from 90-99 (biggest players = biggest numbers)
2nd row: 80-89
Hookers: 60-69
Locks: 70-79
Halfbacks: 1-9
5/8th: 50-59
Centers: 30-49
Wings: 20-29
Fullbacks: 11-19
In addition, lets get player names on those jerseys please! We do it in Origin, why not be consistent?
And how about go back to the old limit of one sponsor on the front of the jersey and it must be in team colors.
The red Huawei flower on the front of the Raiders jersey is absurd!
Sport, all day long. Does this sound too good to be true? We're searching for a Group Sales Manager to lead our team in Sydney. If you're a sales star who doesn't mind a hit, kick, throw, or cycle, we want to hear from you. Apply now.
- Explore:
- NRL, Rugby League
June 24th 2012 @ 6:37am
Robert said | June 24th 2012 @ 6:37am | Report comment
Totally agree with the stupid amount of jerseys in the game.Ive got no idea how many jerseys the Tigers have and each one of them is too busy.The NRL are a joke organisation for letting this happen.On top of that they have irrelevant round names like heritage round or rivalry round,which gives clubs the go ahead to change their jersey.The NRL need to keep things simple
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
June 24th 2012 @ 1:50pm
Recalcitrant said | June 24th 2012 @ 1:50pm | Report comment
There is too much advertising on all Australian teams sporting uniforms.
AFL, NRL, Super rugby, cricket you name it. As bad as racing car drivers now.
With the amount of tv money, you simply do not need this much advertising whoring our teams outfits.
There must be a way to rid the shirts of this scourge?!
June 25th 2012 @ 3:45pm
bjt said | June 25th 2012 @ 3:45pm | Report comment
There’s a few clubs out there doing the right thing. I think the Broncos are on the right track.
But the Tiger’s are a disgrace to themselves, the NRL and rugby league. Just looking at a tigers crowd and every fan’s wearing something different. Worst still, they can’t even get orange right. They look more like a bunch of road workers in that high viz orange.
Also the away white jerseys for most teams are plain rubbish. Last time I checked the Raiders were the only fluoro green team out there… maybe against the bunnies, but why do they need a white jersey for half their games?
June 24th 2012 @ 6:48am
Norm said | June 24th 2012 @ 6:48am | Report comment
Collingwood earned the ire of other footy supporters when they refused to have an away guernsey – but it was a stand for tradition. The other day I was in a Richmond pub & there was a photo on the wall of the great Jack Dyer. He was, of course, wearing the same jumper they play at home in today. We are looking at tradition from the 19th century!
June 25th 2012 @ 7:49am
Steggz said | June 25th 2012 @ 7:49am | Report comment
All people were asking them to do was to provide a guernsey that they could use when clashes occurred. It was lunacy! What they’ve done now is all that people expected: a guernsey that was more white than black.
June 24th 2012 @ 7:15am
peeeko said | June 24th 2012 @ 7:15am | Report comment
I really like it how nfl, nba, NHL and MLB jerseys have no sponsors, but that it is not feasible for nrl clubs
June 24th 2012 @ 7:27am
Damo said | June 24th 2012 @ 7:27am | Report comment
I agree about theses jerseys, you look at anything pre-Super League and then compare it to now. Compare a Panthers SL jersey or some of the Cowboys or Tigers recently against the old style Winfield Cup jerseys… No comparison. People would proudly wear their jerseys at the weekend now you don’t see it as much
June 24th 2012 @ 7:57am
chris said | June 24th 2012 @ 7:57am | Report comment
In both League and Union jersey’s I hate the tight round jersey’s which seem to be a hybrid of a Soccer and Cycling top.
Have the companies ever thought about that alot of fans are not built like greek gods and have a ever expanding mid section.
Haven’t bought a Rugby top since 2003.
June 24th 2012 @ 8:23am
oikee said | June 24th 2012 @ 8:23am | Report comment
People enjoy viareity you know. I dont mind them changing jerseys. I think the ladies like the yellow Broncos jerseys and the pink panther jerseys. We also had the Broncos in the pink jerseys, “one for the ladies” .
Why do we have to be like AFL and NFL. So what they dont have jersey sponsers, we do, i like my xxxx on my Queensland Origin jersey. I have a Broncos shirt that has Broncos written across the back of it, i dont think a few sponsers logo’s worry anyone.
I look at it another way, these sponsers support my club, i support them, is that not how it works.
As for the red Huawei flower, i noticed it, so they are doing their job. Making us conscience of the brand.
The game needs sponsers, i think it is fair to show this on jersey’s if you can, gee, they are giving away millions some of them.
I agree with you about the names, it would be nice, but is it not taking up sponsership space.
hehe. Or do you want me to send money and buy Thaiday products, what does he sell, hair gel. 
June 24th 2012 @ 12:52pm
turbodewd said | June 24th 2012 @ 12:52pm | Report comment
I think you’re in the minority. I personally wouldnt be caught dead walking around with a massive red Huawei logo on my top. Id feel like a twit. We dont have to copy the AFL, and is it working?! Not so far.
June 24th 2012 @ 9:51am
Roarsome said | June 24th 2012 @ 9:51am | Report comment
I find it funny that the blues prance around with VB on their chest.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
June 24th 2012 @ 10:00am
chris said | June 24th 2012 @ 10:00am | Report comment
NFL Jerseys are still the best.
The 1990-1995 ARL the best,
June 24th 2012 @ 10:42am
Easts said | June 24th 2012 @ 10:42am | Report comment
Roosters havent changed their jersey and it looks boring.
Tiger, Storm, Titans, Warriors, Souffs have best jerseys
Roosters, Manly, Bulldogs have the worst
June 24th 2012 @ 10:51am
Bearfax said | June 24th 2012 @ 10:51am | Report comment
I’m sure in future jerseys will become increasingly bill boads for product sales.
I suspect, with TV development, that the jerseys will display all sorts of moving images during breaks in play.
At half time your team is coming off the field and Freddie T. has been off his game. His jersey will flash ‘Centrebet has Fredie now at 10 to 1 to win Man of the Match. Feeling Lucky’.
At the end of the game your players are filing out after a poor loss and their jerseys are reading ‘Feeling depressed. Ring Sally’s Girls for a great ;pick me up’.
Of course if they win the match its “Come to Joes Bistro just around the Corner for that Celebration you want to have. Discounted Hot Pies’.
I’m afraid the time of the jersey ad has arrived and its coming to a team near you.’