Names on the back of jumpers - good or bad?

[Mr Eagle]

All the people saying the names just need to be a bit bigger, this will just mean there will be more names, like Roberts-Thomson, that won't actually fit.

Well they could start with making the letter longer rather than wider and a bit less bold, but LRT is still a problem even then. In which case the AFL needs to standardise how it deals with those name (Roberts-Thom. Rob'ts-Thomson etc.)

And I wonder if there could be legal issues if the AFL tried moving/reducing the regulated back sponsor location during any current sponsorship deals.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Well they could start with making the letter longer rather than wider and a bit less bold, but LRT is still a problem even then. In which case the AFL needs to standardise how it deals with those name (Roberts-Thom. Rob'ts-Thomson etc.)

And I wonder if there could be legal issues if the AFL tried moving/reducing the regulated back sponsor location during any current sponsorship deals.

I know the NFL has a few players with especially long names, and what they do is create a new font (squeezed more but same height still) for them so that all the name fits in.

 

[Mr Eagle]

I know the NFL has a few players with especially long names, and what they do is create a new font (squeezed more but same height still) for them so that all the name fits in.

And then we get back to 'what is the point of these names' and how much the AFL is actually fussed about legibility from any distance.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Well they could start with making the letter longer rather than wider and a bit less bold, but LRT is still a problem even then. In which case the AFL needs to standardise how it deals with those name (Roberts-Thom. Rob'ts-Thomson etc.)

And I wonder if there could be legal issues if the AFL tried moving/reducing the regulated back sponsor location during any current sponsorship deals.

I know the NFL has a few players with especially long names, and what they do is create a new font (squeezed more but same height still) for them so that all the name fits in.

Here is a novel idea, forget about names, how about using a number to identify the players. Would only ever be two digits long so size can be standardised and they can be made very large so they are easily seen - problem solved!

 

[scotty13]

The name on the back of the jumpers, after seeing it in action I feel is pointless. Not once, unless the camera was pointed directly at the players back for at least a second, could u read the names on the jumper.
The AFL don't give a shit about whether people will actually be able to read the names though, its all about money. Putting names on the back of the jumper means, that rather than just having the number 1 on the back of your Port jumper for all past and present captains, with a name it will only represent the current captain, then if a new captain comes along, it will encourage people to buy a new jumper for no reason other than not wanting to be wearing a jumper with an old players name on the back. Another way they are trying to rip people off!

Leave it alone... people keep complaining the game is changing to much, so why change it even more... next thing they will want to make all grounds the same size, then they will want to make the ground more rectangular, then change to a round ball, and just so people in the crowd don't steal the ball, lets tie a net to the back of the goals... we don't have enough net for the points so we will get rid of them all together. And because players haven't learnt to kick the new round ball all that well, we are going to force them to only be allowed to kick it off the ground, so you can't use your hands. But Dustin Fletcher can still use his hands, as long as he is inside the goal square, which we will make bigger. Since players have to kick the ball off the ground, lets reduce the height of the goals as well...

 

[Mr Eagle]

Here is a novel idea, forget about names, how about using a number to identify the players. Would only ever be two digits long so size can be standardised and they can be made very large so they are easily seen - problem solved!

That's crazy talk. Stop being crazy. More is more, don't you know? Jumpers need MOAR STUFF on them. Lots! If it ain't broke... the AFL's not trying hard enough.

 

[McOrist]

The names can't be read easily, therefore what is their use? Maybe as a marketing exercise, but otherwise they bring nothing. Would rather see larger numbers.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Here is a novel idea, forget about names, how about using a number to identify the players. Would only ever be two digits long so size can be standardised and they can be made very large so they are easily seen - problem solved!

It's not about being SEEN. It's a merchandising device pure and simple, and an excellent one at that.

 

[Exe Gesis]

And then we get back to 'what is the point of these names' and how much the AFL is actually fussed about legibility from any distance.

Merchandise

 

[Exe Gesis]

MERCHANDISE

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

It's not about being SEEN. It's a merchandising device pure and simple, and an excellent one at that.

If you call a new way to rip off fans an excellent idea

 

[Exe Gesis]

M E R C H A N D I S E

 

[Exe Gesis]

If you call a new way to rip off fans an excellent idea

Fans only have themselves to blame....1) buying memberships, 2) buying game tickets, 3) spending tons of money on food/beverage at the game, 4) buying foxtel / digital passes, 5) buying merchandise every year, 6) buying merchandise to the point of overkill like toilet seat covers, bed spreads, etc.

The AFL isn't putting a gun to anyone's head.

It's a great idea -- for the teams ($$) but also people get to learn names of players but also fans get to buy top-selling guernseys of new rookies or new Free Agent players (like Chapman), but also teams will eventually release a) classic player named throwback guernseys like Matthews for Hawthorn, or Stynes for Melbourne. b) teams offering custom player names like the NFL do.

 

[ManWithNoName]

It's not about being SEEN. It's a merchandising device pure and simple, and an excellent one at that.

Nobody's stopping you from selling jumpers with names. Many clubs already do, including Essendon. If you're obsessed with merchandise, nobody's stopping you.

 

[hcd199]

Leave it alone... people keep complaining the game is changing to much, so why change it even more... next thing they will want to make all grounds the same size, then they will want to make the ground more rectangular, then change to a round ball, and just so people in the crowd don't steal the ball, lets tie a net to the back of the goals... we don't have enough net for the points so we will get rid of them all together. And because players haven't learnt to kick the new round ball all that well, we are going to force them to only be allowed to kick it off the ground, so you can't use your hands. But Dustin Fletcher can still use his hands, as long as he is inside the goal square, which we will make bigger. Since players have to kick the ball off the ground, lets reduce the height of the goals as well...

Names on backs of guernseys will do nothing to actually alter the sport in any meaningful way; there's a distinct difference between changing fundamental aspects of the sport (e.g., the scoring system, the ball shape, the ground's shape), changing minor aspects of the sport (e.g., altered advantage rule, standardised ground size, number of field umpires), and changing things that don't alter the game meaningfully (e.g., names on guernseys, colouring the centre circle in the colours of the indigenous flag, having a spectator/special guest perform the coin toss). You can't treat all changes as though they're of the same standard.

 

[Tulip]

Having watched a few matches, I don't mind them but I don't think they help a TV audience. Interested to see them at the game, expecting nothing.

 

[scotty13]

Names on backs of guernseys will do nothing to actually alter the sport in any meaningful way; there's a distinct difference between changing fundamental aspects of the sport (e.g., the scoring system, the ball shape, the ground's shape), changing minor aspects of the sport (e.g., altered advantage rule, standardised ground size, number of field umpires), and changing things that don't alter the game meaningfully (e.g., names on guernseys, colouring the centre circle in the colours of the indigenous flag, having a spectator/special guest perform the coin toss). You can't treat all changes as though they're of the same standard.

Yes but its all about getting the wheels in motion... The AFL are already turning the sport into non contact...

 

[Tulip]

Bad. Unnecessary. Not enough room for names and numbers.

It's sort of the point. Tempting already to buy an Ablett 9 jumper. People say you're honouring the number, I currently have a 4 and an 11 on my Demons strips. I'd be happy if the 11 said Clark, even though he's retired. The 4 is signed by Watts anyway.

This is the time of my life...single, Uni...that I'll have the most time for football. It would be cool to have a collection of jumpers that made watching the game great.

 

[Mr Smiff]

It is a stupid move to further commercialise the game for this reason i can't and will not support it. If you don't know the players names from their numbers alone then you need to follow the game more .

They need to make the text bigger but they won't do that as it detracts from the sponsers of the team.

I don't know all the players from "other" teams and I'm not alone.
A few years ago, my Sunday paper had a liftout on all the teams, with player facts and figures and I got to know players on tv. That service now has been withdrawn.
.........and I have Foxtel, so I am watching more, but I still don't know players names.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

I don't know all the players from "other" teams and I'm not alone.
A few years ago, my Sunday paper had a liftout on all the teams, with player facts and figures and I got to know players on tv. That service now has been withdrawn.
.........and I have Foxtel, so I am watching more, but I still don't know players names.

There is this thing called the internet...

 

[Mr Eagle]

Merchandise

MERCHANDISE

M E R C H A N D I S E

 

[Exe Gesis]

There is this thing called the internet...

I've heard of that. Isn't that a place that just houses pornography?

 

[The King!]

Probably just get some hi my name is... Stickers and put them on the front, would be as visible.

Needs to be bigger but i dont mind it either way

 

[Hodge is God]

Oh and to the people who complain that they can't see them at the game, you can see them fine on tv and it helps you identify the spuds on other teams instead of having to google player numbers.

Sorry but watching the Swans game on the television I didn't know half the players and even when the players back were facing the screen, I couldn't read the names.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Sorry but watching the Swans game on the television I didn't know half the players and even when the players back were facing the screen, I couldn't read the names.

You need an optometrist and/or large screen tv.