Trend: Richmond players. Alex Rance and Trent Cotchin model the club's retro tops. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun Retro rags kicking goals for AFL clubs * Cheryl Critchley
* Herald Sun
* February 09, 2010 8:54PM AFL clubs have gone back to the future, with T-shirts featuring faded 1970s logos flying out the door faster than a Chris Judd handpass.
Most Victorian clubs are selling the retro shirts, which bring back fond memories for fans who grew up with the daggy designs.
They are among the biggest selling items this year for the Kangaroos and Essendon.
Melbourne's blue version sold out before Christmas.
Richmond, winning grand finals when the original design surfaced, sold 400 of one version before Christmas and has had to reorder. The Bombers have sold 550 and Carlton moved 140 in three weeks.
"The fans seem to love this look that is slightly removed from typical footy gear," a Richmond spokesman said.
Despite them losing several grand finals in the 1970s, retro Magpie tops are also selling "exceptionally well".
"Collingwood faithful are clearly very proud of our history and sales of retro-styled merchandise reflects this," a club spokesman said.
The retro shirts cost about $40 and come in male and female versions. Geelong has a vintage Ford T-shirt for $45, with a car on the front and Geelong written on the back.
Some clubs are also selling satchels based on old airline-style sports bags players used before footy went high-fashion. They cost about $30 and Carlton, another 1970s power side, has sold 500.
Other quirky merchandise is proving popular on club websites.
Hawks fans can throw darts at their logo after a loss with a $79.95 dartboard, Collingwood has Christmas snow globes with a bearded player inside for $24.95.
Blues fans are also urged to be "one of the first" to own Brendan Fevola's $20 footy book, despite the wayward star moving north to Brisbane before Christmas.
Richmond has sold out of a Richo T-shirt commemorating retired star Matthew Richardson, which young gun Trent Cotchin modelled yesterday. A new batch is coming.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/retro-rags-kicking-goals-for-afl-clubs/story-e6frf9jf-1225828478704
