The AFLW’s Indigenous Round has kicked off in Tasmania with an astounding jumper clash that has left it difficult to distinguish which players are representing which team.
The clash was evident from the moment North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs stepped onto the UTAS Stadium oval, with fans immediately taking to social media to voice their frustration.
The traditional colours of North Melbourne are obviously royal blue and white and the Bulldogs’ traditional colours are red, white and blue.
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The Bulldogs’ Indigenous jumper did have some red on it, but from a distance all anyone could see was a sea of blue and white.
Not helping matters were the shorts which were, curiously, both blue (typically the away team would wear white shorts, particularly when there is a clash).
Not only were commentators and fans aghast at the situation, at one point it was clear the players were confused as they mistakenly passed the ball to their opponents.
The jumpers were very hard to tell apart and even the players appeared to be confused. Credit: Getty
“They’re literally giving it to each other because they’re confused by these jumpers,” Fox sports commentator Kelli Underwood said.
“Can we get some bibs (on the players)? Surely someone’s got orange bibs out there.
“Surely they look at this and go ‘we have a problem here.’”
Underwood called it a “farcical jumper clash” while Seven sports social media lead (and North Melbourne super fan) Ricky Mangidis said it was baffling.
“Even understanding that it’s Indigenous Round … how on earth does this jumper clash get ticked off?” Mangidis asked.
Former 7NEWS AFL reporter Mark Stevens said: “Almost worth stopping this AFLW game and starting again … all commentators can do is laugh at everyone being surrounded by blue and white.”
One fan said he had given up trying to work which team was which.
“I’m genuinely going off which direction they kick to work out who’s got it,” the fan said on X.
Mangidis added: “There was one point where I thought ‘wait did Mahony just spoil Kearney?’.”
Another fan said: “This might be the single worst jumper clash we’ve ever had, which is saying something.”
Another said: “The jumpers were announced long enough ago that this is unacceptable scheduling tbh.”
And another: “At very least as the away side one would think dogs would have white shorts – at the very least.”
Jumper clashes in the AFL are an ongoing issue for fans, with many not understanding why or how it happens.
There is even a social media fan account, The Clash Jumper Doctor, that devotes itself entirely to the problem.
“Serious question, this includes the men’s games. Is there somebody actually responsible for this?” one fan asked.
After the game, North’s Kate Shierlaw was asked about the clash.
“To be honest, it was really challenging at times,” she said.
For the record, back-to-back premiers North Melbourne ran out comfortable winners, 11.4 (70) to 3.5 (23) as they make their charge for a third successive flag.
North Melbourne trio Blaithin Bogue, Alice O’Loughlin and Shierlaw booted two goals each in the 47-point belting.
Bogue, O’Loughlin and Shierlaw were prominent and teammates Tess Craven, Ruby Tripodi, Tahlia Randall, Jasmine Garner and Emma King also kicked majors.
Midfield megastars Ash Riddell (32 disposals) and Garner (27) were outstanding.
The Dogs slipped to their first loss of the season, despite the best efforts of Isabelle Pritchard (21 touches), Jess Fitzgerald (22) and Jasmyn Smith (18).
– With AAP
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