AFL Women’s teams reveal new-look playing uniforms

STAR player Daisy Pearce has given the thumbs-up to the new AFLW jumpers, custom-made for the first time to fit women and keep them cool during games in the February sun. SEE ALL THE JUMPERS

AFLW stars model the jumpers for the league’s first season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

STAR player Daisy Pearce has given the thumbs-up to the AFL Women’s competition inaugural uniforms.

The new look — a collaboration between the players and new partner Cotton On — has given the masculine footy kit a makeover, fusing femininity, fashion and functionality.

The Geelong retailer will provide all eight clubs in the competition with on and off-field attire, with features including narrower singlet straps, thinner socks, mesh panelling, more flattering shorts and leggings rather than baggy tracksuits.

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Melbourne marquee signing Pearce said she loved the lightweight and custom-fit design of the new jumpers.

“They are fantastic. I am looking forward to playing in them,” Pearce said.

“That’s the special thing, you look down and think, ‘This is what I’m going to be kitted out in next year to play footy in for Melbourne’, so I can’t wait. It’s really comfortable because it’s custom fit to our body and I think that’s really important.

AFL Women’s players parade next season’s jumpers: Katie Brennan (Western Bulldogs), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Tayla Harris (Brisbane Lions), Darcy Vescio (Carlton), Moana Hope (Collingwood), Emma Swanson (GWS), Kara Donnellan (Fremantle) and Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“And also lightweight, which playing in summer that was always going to be important, too. It’s going to get pretty hot at times so nice, lightweight, movable jumpers is going to be important.”

Most teams have made subtle changes to their jumper design and some have gone for something more radical.

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The Collingwood jumper has a black panel across the chest, the Bulldogs have an extra red stripe on the shoulder and Fremantle has coloured one of its three white Vs pink.

Adelaide’s jumper has a lot more red and yellow and the Giants guernsey is orange and white, keeping the charcoal that makes up a large portion of the GWS men’s jumper to the players’ shorts.

Here it is! Behold the official Collingwood @aflwomens jumper for 2017, proudly worn by @moanahope #gopies pic.twitter.com/DBm9g4OvWh

— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) November 9, 2016

AFL commercial operations manager Darren Birch said the uniform launch was another milestone in the countdown to the first AFLW matches next year.

“2017 heralds a new chapter in Australian football and we didn’t just want to replicate the men’s uniform. It was important that we created a product the players felt authentically represented them on and off the field,” he said.

“The Cotton On Group is an iconic global retailer that Australians know and trust. Like the AFL, its roots are innately Australian, it embraces innovation and prides itself on being ahead of the curve.

“This new partnership was a natural fit and we are delighted to be working together to bring a contemporary uniform for the emerging league.

Melbourne signings Deanna Berry, Daisy Pearce and Mel Hickey try out the Demons’ on and off-field gear. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Giants marquee player Emma Swanson said the design allowed the club’s women’s players to forge their own identity.

“I love the design and can’t wait to pull on the jumper and represent the Giants early next year,” she said.

“Having input into the design for the inaugural season is something I’m really proud of as we go about creating our own identity and I think the design will be very popular with our fans.”