Fellow league fans, am I alone in moaning every year about the embarrassing state of NRL jerseys? Here’s a list of my complaints and possible solutions.
1. They change too often
It seems like it happens at least every two or three years.
Imagine if we gave 20 kids some crayons and paper and asked them to draw the uniforms of Essendon, the Broncos, the Titans, Melbourne Heart, Wests Tigers and St George. Which ones would they get right?
I suggest they would get St George, Essendon and Melbourne Heart right – but they would fail on the Tigers, Broncos and Titans.
It’s disrespectful to your team and its history to change the jersey every two or three years. It shows zero pride.
So thumbs up to, for example, St George for sticking with the red “V” on white. This is what fans want – colours and jerseys that mean something. NRL clubs should stick with a jersey for at least 10 years. It seems like the Tigers, the Titans and the Broncos wear a different jersey every four weeks and it’s a joke!
2. They are covered in ads
Usually these ads don’t even match the team colours. My team, the Raiders, has this huge red flower logo on the front of the jersey – it’s disgusting. I won’t buy nor wear that, I feel embarrassed to wear a logo.
Sponsorship on jerseys says that the team needs handouts and that they are poor. I am not poor and I won’t walk around with nine ads on my top, it’s a joke.
I look at NFL jerseys and I marvel at their fairly simple designs, which are ad-free. Those guys have pride in their uniforms and their fans love them.
I long for the 1980s when NSW rugby league teams had one sponsor on the front and the words were in the team’s colours. Now that I can stomach.
And let’s not forget the Bulldogs and the Tigers, who themed whole jerseys to advertise Avatar on Blu-ray or the James Bond film a year or two ago. Why oh why?!
3. Unnecessary ‘away’ uniforms
They don’t achieve what they are meant to – ensuring a visual distinction between the teams.
Earlier this year the Titans played at the Sharks and both teams wore fairly ‘busy’ designs. They both wore dark shorts and their shirts had lots of blue, white and black. You could tell the teams apart, but it wasn’t easy.
And why do the Raiders need an away uniform at all? Our lime jersey doesn’t blend with any other team. We have adopted a Canterbury outfit – blue socks, blue shorts and white jerseys with blue numbers. It’s depressing and I don’t get it.
Teams should certainly have an alternate uniform, e.g. if Penrith visits the Warriors the Panthers should revert to their original medium-brown uniform. Instead they have an embarrassing pink outfit with a huge red “OAK” on it.
I could write another page on this matter but why are NRL jersey designs so busy? You don’t need a stripe on every part of the jersey. Look at the Carlton Blues or the Chicago Bears, simple designs and their fans lap them up!
chris
Guest
Total agree but also no one has pointed out the the awful round necks (which are uncomfortable to play in) and the all jeresys should go back to v-necks and they are that tight that I bet many a ex player and fan can not fit into them as not every fan has a 6 pack. Me haven't bought a League and Union jerseys in 8 years.
Griffo
Guest
Agreed. As a Victorian who moved to Townsville 10 years ago, I didn't really follow Rugby League until I moved up here and started following the Cowboys. I'm still waiting for a Jersey that is distinctive and incorporates the team colours in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and would be instantly recognisable. When this happens I will buy my first Cowboys Jersey. As an AFL supporter as well, I also have taken a keen interest in many teams Guernsey designs and changes that have occurred over the years. Mostly the Vic clubs haven't changed their designs much over many decades. They've had recognisable colours and patterns. The newer expansion clubs though haven't always been quite so good from the outset although it is encouraging to see that Port Adelaide and Fremantle have made their jumpers simpler and more distinctive. This came about due to the supporters requests. I think the same can happen in league. I also think that NRL teams could also look at Guernsey sponsorship in the AFL. One sponsor on the breast on one side with the AFL logo on the other side. Another sponsorship badge low across the back. These are like badges directly over the top and the patterns continue to the edges of the badge (unlike St. George's Vee getting the bottom cut off).
fishes
Guest
The warriors are the worst offenders. Have they decided on their team colours, yet??
Susan
Roar Rookie
Amen! I bought my son a Retro 80s jumper - cheaper than the current one and it is actually green. Another disgruntled Raiders supporter...
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
What everyone else has said...:) If clubs want to sell jerseys every year, just make very minimal changes and put the year on it somewhere.
turbodewd
Guest
I really dont know how the Titans intend to start a following and a tradition when their jersey is different every single year. Whats the point of buying their jersey if its gone next year and only worn 12 times per season?!
Barbauld
Guest
Continuity is a great thing. Cronulla's jersey is one that has changed little. AFL used to change the colour of the shorts only for away games. Love my Balmain jersey & get stopped all the time in Hobart by people who've moved down here who love it and have great memories of league. They are terrific. The Wests Tigers combined jersey is OK but the Panthers have gone silly and some clubs I can't recognise and need to check the tv see who is named. Cowboys, Warriors and Gold Coast I've no idea about the home or away jersey. Consistency and tradition please for the loyal supporters.
JonD
Guest
That's true. But even the teams that have retained traditional designs have chopped them up to fit in advertising. The red V on St George is really only have a V - the bottom half is cut off by a big ad. Same with the others. And all the other advertising on the jerseys - on the sleeves, shorts, front, back detract from the actual team signature style - be it stripes or a V.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
List of Jerseys in a given season 1) Home 2) Away 3) Alternate 4) Heritage* 5) Women in League** 6) ANZAC Day 7) One-off (e.g. Avatar, Superman etc.)*** 8) Auckland Nines *Does not actually have to have any heritage whatsoever **Does not necessarily have to be worn in Women in League round *** If you are the Warriors you may have up to 26 one-off jerseys a season.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Ah the old retro jerseys. Goes well with trackies and a pair of ugg boots on a cold winter's night.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I just buy the old replica's now. Have a 1995 jersey for the Dogs, and that didn't cost $160. (Still was $110 but I'll take my $50 back)
Zulu
Guest
Turbodewd, you raise a great point that many fans agree with, including myself. In my opinion, the constant changing of the jerseys is a disgrace and certainly cheapens any sort of tradition clubs ever wish to emulate. I for one loved the 80's jerseys and would love nothing more if the clubs who were around back then reverted back to them. I challenge any Panthers or Warriors fans to tell me just what your clubs colours are? It was only a couple seasons back I recall the Panthers wearing aqua for their away strip.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
What is it with the Panters and confectionery? Chocolate Soldiers, Licorice Allsorts and now Strawberry Shortcakes! They should just add a pink stripe to the old brown jersey and be done with the Neopolitan Ice-Cream look.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
You raise an interesting point. Clubs launch new jerseys every week to make people buy them, but I reckon it will have the opposite effect. People stop buying jerseys because they know it will not be current in 3 weeks. $160 is a lot to spend on a jersey and people see it as an investment. Its not a worthwhile investment if it is out of date straight away.
Cheadle
Guest
I think the nfl has a deal with nike to supply all jerseys rather than the constant advertising of maker, front sponsor, back, arms. Ill take a nike tick over that any day. Advertising is a necessary evil but it doesn't need to impinge on the actual design of the jersey like st george. Being subtle and having the same design for five years so more people buy the jersey would be better for sponsors in my opinion
john badseed
Guest
Give me chocolate over strawberry any day…..as for the Raiders P76 green...
Epiquin
Roar Guru
At least the Broncos are getting back on track. It was only a few seasons ago that they had a black and white away strip with no maroon or gold insight. And remember back in the early 2000s when they had the bizarre criss-crossing navy and white in amongst the maroond gold?
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
While I agree I do like the Panthers in pink.
Paul Crann
Guest
I agree entirely too
turbodewd
Guest
No dramas, dont think they need it every away game, only v the Warriors or Melbourne whose jersey is very dark. So any Panthers v Raiders game should always be black vs lime. Unless the game is being played in 30 degrees then Panthers can go white or pink.