Making of a Sherrin – The Official Game Ball of the AFL

When you think of the AFL you might think of your favourite team, your favourite player or a Grand Final that sent shivers down your spine, but every game, every cheer, every reward and every win come down to the use of one tool; a Sherrin football.

The game requires skill, passion and immense dedication from both players and fans alike, but it simply cannot function without a football. So, let’s explore the making of a Sherrin and how this incredible invention has cemented itself into our everyday life.

The History

Sherrin was founded in 1880 by Thomas William Sherrin and has a served as a prominent part in the rich history of Australian sports ever since. The new shaped ball was accepted and loved by the National Football League of Australia and eventually used as the size and shape standard. Sherrin is currently the Official Game Ball of the AFL and continues to be one of the most recognisable parts of the game.

Sherrin game balls are crafted in the Scoresby, Victoria manufacturing facility and undergo the same process to ensure that every ball is perfect and worthy of each kick, handball and mark.

The Process

• The process starts with a full leather hide
• The leather is then cut up into panels relevant to the size of the ball that is being made
• Canvas backing is placed on the ball to prevent it from stretching once it gets wet
• The leather is graded depending on the quality
• The panels are then screen printed/foil stamped
• The printing and drying process is significant with the panels going through the screen printer as many times as there are colours
• Next is the stapling and stitching process in which the seams are flattened to ensure that the ball is smooth on the outside
• The ball is hammered out in certain stages, and then stitched together to ensure that all the seams are straight
• Bladders and laces are inserted
• And finally, the ball is inflated to roughly 69kpa

The Legacy

The process presents as straight forward but each Sherrin takes as much skill, passion and immense dedication to create, as it does to use it out on the ground.

The next time you pick up your footy for a quick training session or a kick with your friends at the park, or even when you sit down to watch your beloved team work their magic, know that that Sherrin was made right here in Australia, and you should feel proud to be part of its incredible legacy.