Celebrating footy’s long sleeve legends

Winter is coming, and property stewards around the country are ready to dig out a special piece of gear this weekend — the long sleeved jumpers. Who have been the AFL’s best long-sleeve stars?

Winter is coming.

Saturday marks the first day of winter and with temperatures in Victoria hitting record lows this week, property stewards around the state will be digging out a special piece of gear this week — the long-sleeved jumpers.

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But you won’t see them at Hawthorn.

“I think there’s an official rule, as far as I know — no long sleeves,” midfielder Liam Shiels told Triple M earlier this year.

“I think Mark Williams was the last player to wear it and since then there’s been no player to wear the long sleeves,.

“We know Clarko’s a bit of a tough nut, old school, he doesn’t really like the long sleeves.”

Thankfully, current and former coaches haven’t been as strict, with champions including James Hird and Jimmy Bartel regularly donning the sleeves during their careers.

Of current players, Kade Simpson is the best-known long sleeve wearer, but we haven’t seen him wearing them yet this year.

Simmo warming up in arm and leg sleeves, signs of a huge game from the man. #sleevewatch #AFLSaintsBlues

— Lekdog (@LekDogSC) May 26, 2019

Don’t be surprised if the long-sleeve No.6 makes an appearance at the MCG for Sunday’s clash against Essendon (the forecast is 15C with showers increasing).

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Scroll down for our celebration of footy’s long-sleeved legends.

Kade Simpson is the modern standard-bearer for long sleeved jumpers. Picture: Michael Klein

Jasper Pittard dons the long sleeves for his new club. Picture: Sarah Reed

Michael Hurley had three-quarter length sleeves on during the Dreamtime game.

Jimmy Bartel was almost unbeatable in sleeves.

Magpie James Aish is partial to a long-sleeved jumper. Picture: Sarah Reed

Chad Wingard loved the sleeves at Port Adelaide.

No such joy at the Hawks.

James Hird could be the best player to play in sleeves.

The guy on the left was pretty good, too.

Like father, like son. Carlton youngster Jack Silvagni. Picture: Michael Klein

If Rhyce Shaw institutes a ‘no long sleeves’ rule as North Melbourne coach, we’re calling hypocricy.

Warwick Capper models a rare long sleeved Brisbane Bears guernsey.

Andrew Jarman pioneered the three-quarter sleeve at the Crows.

Darryl White wore long sleeves even in the Queensland sunshine.

Stephen Milne celebrates another long-sleeve goal.

Michael Tuck raises a cup for the long sleeve fraternity.