2023 AFL Themed Footballs
As 2023 comes to an end, Sherrin wanted to look back at all the AFL themed balls that have been produced throughout the year. 2023 brought many firsts for the AFL and Sherrin, with Gather Round and the name change on the ball to YILOGA. The season finished with Collingwood and Brisbane producing one of the best Grand Final’s in history, to bookmark season 2023 as one of the most exciting ones. Keep reading below to look back at all the different balls.
Gather Round
With preparations ramping up for Gather Round 2024, what better way to look back to the inaugural event to kick off our 2023 season recap. In Round 5 of the AFL season, all 18 teams embarked on South Australia to take part in a ‘Festival of Footy’, creating a weekend-long spectacle amongst the sights of Adelaide and the surrounds. An in-house design team brought the concept to life, encapsulating the fun, colour, and vibrant nature of the round.
ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day holds a special significance within the AFL season. 95,000 fans embark on the MCG to pay their respects to those fallen, creating an atmosphere unlike many others.
For ANZAC Appeal Round, Sherrin manufactured footballs to be played during the round’s two marquee games.
The now-annual ANZAC Eve clash between the Demons and the Tigers is a spectacle in its own right, whilst the ANZAC Day meeting between the Pies and the Bombers is arguably the biggest home and game of every season.
Sherrin are proud to continue their support of the ANZAC Appeal Round.
SDNR
For the first time in our 140-year history, the Sherrin name was not present on the iconic football during Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
In its place, the Tiwi name for football; Yiloga (pronounced Yi-LO-A), took pride and place on the game balls.
Designed by proud Tiwi Artist, @Lulu, the ball featured designs and totems representing the proud and rich culture of the Tiwi Islands.
BCNA
To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of @bcna, Sherrin were proud to manufacture a special commemorative football to continue the support for such a fantastic cause.
For the first time since 2018, the Pink Lady Match hosted the Field Of Women, with thousands of survivors and supporters embarking on the MCG to form the silhouette of the iconic Pink Lady.
AFL Finals
September is always a favourite for footy fans, with the Spring air making way for glorious finals football. Eight teams entered, with only one team able to taste the sweet success that the best time of year provides. With a handful of games decided by a goal or less, tension was through the roof during one of the best Finals series of recent times.
AFL Grand Final
A stellar September day graced the magnificent MCG, as the Pies took on the Lions on the final Saturday in September. Nick Daicos struck the first blow as the contest seesawed for the entirety of the four quarters. Charlie Cameron looked set to deliver Brisbane its first taste of Premiership glory in 20 years, however Collingwood’s stars in Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom swung the pendulum towards the Black and White. Despite a late Joe Daniher goal amping up the tension once more, the Pies were able to hold onto Sweet 16. Bobby Hill took out the Norm Smith medal courtesy of four goals, as the Magpie Army partied long into the night and the days proceeding that magical Saturday in September.
