AFL team explains why Indigenous guernseys were shelved

The Melbourne Demons have proved they are the real deal in the AFL in 2021 but fans have been baffled by a reported jumper clash.

Some fans said these guernseys still clashed.

The Melbourne Demons have bounced back from the club’s first loss of the season in a commanding 13.9 (87) to 8.11 (59) win in the top of the table clash with the Western Bulldogs.

The Demons were massive, leading from the first quarter where the side booted 41 points with six goals in the term at an empty Marvel Stadium.

Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

The Demons never gave up the lead from after the first goal through James Harmes after just 21 seconds.

It was a dominant display after losing by one-point to the Adelaide Crows last week responding after some wayward kicking cost the side its perfect record.

But as they were kicking off the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round with the clash, the Demons looked rather plain, wearing their normal jersey despite having an Indigenous guernsey ready to go.

The guernseys that were originally meant to be worn.

The AFL ruled that the Demons’ majority red guernsey was too close to the Bulldogs’ majority blue guernsey.

It comes after the ANZAC Day clash saw the Collingwood and Essendon jumper clash slammed as the AFL appeared to clear it.

The Demons took to social media to clear the air.

The Demons will now wear the guernsey against the Brisbane Lions as the Sir Doug Nicholls Round extends into a second week.

The Herald Sun's Jon Ralph took to Twitter to explain that the AFL told the side “their jumper was a “significant” clash with the Dogs jumper a few weeks back. They asked again this week. Were told no.”

Ralph went into more detail at halftime.

“They’re not thrilled about it,” he told Fox Footy.

“Melbourne had their Indigenous jumper produced and didn’t know who their opponent would be given this floating fixture. It turned out to be the Western Bulldogs. They were told a month ago it would be a significant clash with the Dogs’ Indigenous jumper.

“They appealed that this week again, they said we don’t think it’s a clash, they were again denied permission.

“They’ll wear it next week in the second week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, but it’s not appreciably worse than the Essendon Collingwood clash with their ANZAC Day jumpers.”

Melbourne were forced into their normal guernseys.

Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown said the floating fixture would throw up issues such as this.

“I guess the problem is because they don‘t announce the fixtures until a few weeks beforehand that the jumper designs are already done, so this year is a unique year and it throws the planning out,” he said.