Fed-up footy fans have called for the AFL to finally address a problem they seem to ignore each year – guernsey clashes.
On Thursday night at the MCG, Carlton were the away side in their match against bitter rivals Collingwood.
After presumably getting the green light from the AFL to do so, coach Michael Voss’s men wore their traditional dark blue kit.
Given Collingwood were the home team and played in their traditional black and white colours, the Blues should have been decked out in white – but instead, the sides were close to indistinguishable from some angles.
It’s a scenario that unfolds seemingly every season – and supporters have seen enough.
‘The guernsey clash here is insane. Absolutely ludicrous,’ sports reporter Vince Rugari tweeted on Thursday.
Wouldn’t see this in any other competition on earth. No excuse for it. But they are both big Victorian clubs so it just happens, and nothing ever changes.’
Rugari wasn’t alone in his view – another fan asked ‘when will this madness end.’
‘It is absolutely diabolical that this horrific and completely avoidable jumper clash happens every year,’ the tweet from the Clash Jumper Doctor read.
‘As the away team, Carlton MUST wear their white guernsey.’
A third weighed in with: ‘Why are Collingwood and Carlton exempt from wearing clash jumpers against each other?
‘Can someone please outline the AFL’s clash jumper policy for me?
Meanwhile, the boss of the Melbourne Cricket Club has admitted human error was behind a shocking security breach that resulted in two men allegedly smuggling loaded guns into the venue during Thursday’s match.
The MCC – which manages the iconic ground – made the revelation as the boss of the AFL Fans Association demanded answers after the two men were charged.
Our security screening units identified items of concern and further investigation was required, our initial internal investigation identified a breakdown in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening processes,’ MCC CEO Stuart Fox said on Friday morning.
‘As a result, we will be increasing the extensiveness of the secondary manual security process and patrons may experience slight delays as they attend upcoming events.’
The MCG underwent a security upgrade in 2024 as it introduced artificial intelligence (AI) into the screening process.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon issued lifetime bans to the charged men on Friday morning and said the alleged incident was ‘extremely disappointing.’
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