Making GWS Stand Out – A Jumper Proposal

Posted 19 June 2010 Show, Sport, Thoughts

There is no doubt that Team Greater Western Sydney have a tough job ahead of their entry into the AFL in 2012. Their attempt to be the second AFL team in Sydney, in a city where NRL has such a strong hold, will need to be handled with great care and planning. It’s not something the AFL will get another chance at for a long time.

The appointment of Kevin Sheedy as coach and Israel Folau as their first major star are good signs and bold steps. In my opinion GWS needs to incorporate NRL culture to survive and thrive. They will need NRL supporters coming to their games and the fans need to know it’s ok to have two teams. Their NRL club and GWS. They need to do what the Sydney Swans did not. They need to be the AFL team for families and for ordinary people of all backgrounds.

GWS is very much in the planning stages, they don’t even have a name yet and have invited fans to make their own suggestions. While there has been some good signs one of the most important things for GWS to get right is the jumper. It’s the symbol of the club and is something fans need to want to wear.

The GWS needs to make sure their jumper:

• Is unlike any of the current NRL teams.

• Is unlike any of the current AFL jumpers.

• Looks good and is ‘cool’. In short a jumper that you would support the team for.

• Won’t go out of fashion quickly.

With that in mind I think GWS should go with either an all black shirt or a shirt based upon the NSW Rugby League State of Origin shirt. Really make a stand as the AFL team for NSW.