AFL Jerseys: Your Guide to Finding the Right One

So you want to get your hands on an AFL jersey but have no idea where to start? You are definitely not alone. Whether you are a fresh footy fan who just fell in love with the game or someone buying a gift for a mate, navigating the world of AFL jerseys can feel a little overwhelming at first.

There are so many teams, so many styles, and so many places to buy from. How do you know which one is right for you? The good news is that finding the perfect jersey does not have to be complicated once you know what to look for.

In this guide, we are breaking it all down into simple, easy to follow steps. We will walk you through everything from choosing your team and finding the right fit to understanding the difference between replica and authentic jerseys. By the time you finish reading, you will feel confident and ready to make a choice you will be stoked about. Let's get into it!

Officially Licensed AFL Jerseys — Why It Matters

When you're shopping for an AFL jersey, you'll come across the term "officially licensed" fairly often. But what does it actually mean, and why should it matter to you as a fan?

Officially licensed AFL merchandise is produced through a formal approval process. The AFL, as the governing body, works with individual clubs and authorised manufacturers to control who can legally produce and sell club-branded products. Organisations like AFL Queensland's official suppliers illustrate how this system operates at every level of the game, from elite clubs right down to community footy. Approved manufacturers are held to strict standards around design accuracy, fabric quality and how the club's brand is represented.

How to Spot a Licensed Jersey

A genuine licensed AFL jersey will have a few telltale signs. Look for the official club cresting, correctly matched club colours, a manufacturer's label from an approved partner, and hang tags that reference the licensing relationship. The stitching, fabric weight and overall finish on a licensed product will typically be noticeably better than on an unlicensed alternative.

Licensed vs. Unlicensed: The Real Difference

Unlicensed jerseys might look similar at first glance, but the differences quickly become obvious. Colours are often slightly off, logos can be misshapen, and the fabric tends to feel cheaper and wear out faster. Beyond the quality issue, buying unlicensed merchandise means none of that money reaches your club or the competition. Licensed merchandise revenue genuinely supports the clubs and the AFL ecosystem that fans love.

The AFL has also invested seriously in protecting the integrity of its licensed merchandise channel, including a formal partnership with Fanatics to strengthen the fan shopping experience and uphold licensing standards across official retail.

At Exclusive Collections Australia, we stock only officially licensed AFL merchandise. Every product we carry comes through approved channels, so you can shop knowing you're getting the genuine article and supporting the game you love.

Types of AFL Jerseys You'll Come Across

Not all AFL jerseys are the same, and knowing the difference can help you pick the right one for your needs. Here's a quick rundown of the main styles you'll come across.

On-Field Replica Jerseys

This is the style most fans go for. On-field replica jerseys are designed to closely match what the players actually wear on match day, and they're updated each season to reflect any changes to the club's guernsey design. The 2026 AFL On-Field range is already out and actively stocked by retailers, so if you want the latest look for your club, this is the one to hunt down. These jerseys are great for wearing to games, watching from the couch or just showing your colours around town.

Training Jerseys

Training jerseys tend to have a lighter, more relaxed cut compared to on-field replicas. They're well suited to everyday wear, heading to the gym or casual supporter use when you want something comfortable rather than match-ready. The fit and fabric are generally more low-key, which many fans actually prefer for day-to-day use.

Retro and Heritage Jerseys

These are the ones long-time fans and collectors tend to love. Retro and heritage-style jerseys bring back classic guernsey designs from earlier eras of the game, and they're a popular choice as gifts or keepsakes. Heritage Round each season also sees clubs release special one-off designs that sit in their own category.

Special Edition Jerseys

Special edition releases add real variety to what's available throughout the season. ANZAC Round guernseys are among the most sought-after, with clubs like the Western Bulldogs releasing dedicated ANZAC replica guernseys made by ASICS that carry genuine meaning beyond just the game. The Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round sees all 18 clubs release unique guernsey designs each season, and these often sell quickly given their limited availability.

A Practical Note on Availability

Not every jersey style is available for every club at every point in the season. Special edition guernseys follow the fixture calendar, meaning stock is often limited to a specific window. It's always worth checking current availability rather than assuming a particular style is in stock for your club right now.

AFL Jersey Sizing and Fit — What You Need to Know

Most AFL jerseys follow standard S/M/L/XL sizing, which makes the process straightforward once you know a few things. The most useful measurement to have on hand is your chest circumference, as this gives you a much more reliable starting point than simply grabbing your "usual" size. A Medium in one product line can fit quite differently to a Medium in another, even within the same club's range. Different manufacturers produce jerseys for different AFL clubs, and those production differences can show up in how a garment sits on your body.

Replica on-field jerseys tend to run with a more fitted, athletic cut compared to training styles or casual supporter tees. This is intentional. They're designed to mimic what players wear on the ground, so the silhouette is slimmer and the fabric sits closer to the body. If you're used to wearing relaxed-fit clothing, you may find a replica guernsey in your standard size feels snugger than expected. A training polo or casual club tee, on the other hand, is usually cut for everyday comfort with a roomier fit.

When you're buying an AFL jersey as a gift and you're not sure of the recipient's size, the general advice from experienced footy fans is simple: size up. It's far better for someone to receive a jersey with a little extra room than one they can't comfortably pull on. If you're genuinely unsure and the gap is between two sizes, go with the larger option. This is especially handy if the jersey might be layered over warmer clothing during winter games.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that sizing can vary between manufacturers and even between different seasons of the same product line. Always check the size guide for the specific product you're ordering where one is available, rather than assuming your usual size will carry over.

If you're ever unsure, get in touch with us directly at Exclusive Collections Australia. As a small family business run by real people, we're genuinely happy to help you find the right fit before you place your order. That's one of the real advantages of shopping with a small local business rather than a large automated platform.

AFL Jerseys for Women and Kids

Women's AFL Jerseys

Women's AFL jerseys are cut differently to men's, and it's genuinely worth paying attention to that distinction rather than just grabbing a smaller size from the men's range. Women's-specific guernseys are typically shaped with a narrower shoulder width, a shorter body length, and a more fitted waist. These differences mean a women's guernsey will actually sit and feel the way it's supposed to, rather than hanging off the shoulders or bunching at the waist the way an undersized men's jersey often does. If you're buying for a woman or teenage girl, checking the women's range first is always the better starting point.

Kids' AFL Jerseys

Kids' AFL jerseys are generally sized by age group or height range rather than the standard adult S/M/L/XL system. You'll often see sizing labelled as toddler, infant, or youth, with youth sizes typically covering primary school-aged kids and up. For younger children, it's worth checking the specific age and height guide for each product, as sizing can vary between clubs and styles. In terms of practicality, AFL guernseys hold up well for kids since they're usually made from hardwearing polyester fabric that can handle regular washing and enthusiastic wear. Kids tend to put their jerseys through their paces, so the durability factor genuinely matters.

A Great Gift for Young Fans

AFL jerseys are honestly one of the best gifts you can buy for a child who loves footy. There's something about wearing your club's colours that kids take seriously, and a guernsey connects them to the team in a way that other merchandise doesn't quite replicate. Whether it's worn to school on footy colours day, out to the game, or just around the house on a Saturday afternoon, kids tend to get a huge amount of use out of them.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that women's and kids' guernsey availability does vary from club to club, so it's always worth checking what's in stock for your specific team. At Exclusive Collections Australia, we stock AFL jerseys across a range of categories to suit supporters of all ages, so families can explore the full range in one place.

Buying AFL Jerseys as a Gift

An AFL jersey is honestly one of the safest gifts you can buy a footy fan. Whether it's Father's Day, Christmas, a birthday, or wrapping up the end of a season, a jersey in your recipient's club colours hits differently to a generic gift card or a box of chocolates. It's personal, it's wearable, and it tells the person you actually know what team they support. That combination is hard to beat.

A Few Practical Tips Before You Buy

If you're not completely sure which club the recipient follows, the simplest approach is to ask someone close to them rather than guess. Getting the club wrong is a much bigger problem than spoiling a slight surprise. Once you've confirmed the team, think about sizing. As covered earlier in this guide, AFL jerseys tend to run true to size, so if you know the person's general clothing size you're usually in good shape. When buying blind, it's worth erring slightly larger rather than smaller, as most people prefer a relaxed fit in a jersey anyway. Check the exchange policy before you buy so the recipient has options if the fit isn't right.

Build a Better Gift With Supporter Gear

A jersey pairs really well with other supporter merchandise to create a more complete gift. Think about adding a beanie or cap in matching club colours, a scarf for the cooler months, or even a home and lifestyle product like a club mug or cushion. Bundling a few smaller items together with a jersey can turn a good gift into a great one.

Why Shopping Small Makes a Difference

When you're buying a gift, being able to ask questions matters. As a family-run business, we're happy to help you work through sizing, suggest complementary products, or point you in the right direction if you're unsure. That kind of straightforward, personal service is genuinely harder to find with larger retailers.

Timing Your Purchase Around New Season Releases

New season AFL jerseys typically drop in the pre-season window, often between late January and March. If the fan in your life is someone who wants the latest design, early in the year is a smart time to buy. Keep an eye out for when clubs release their updated on-field strips, as these moments tend to generate a lot of excitement among supporters.

New Season AFL Jersey Releases — When to Look and What to Expect

Most AFL clubs drop their new on-field jersey ranges in the pre-season period, typically from late January through February, ahead of the AAMI Community Series and Round 1. The 2026 AFL On-Field range followed this pattern, with new season stock becoming available to fans well before the opening bounce. If you're keen on picking up the latest guernsey, this pre-season window is your best opportunity.

New season releases matter for a few reasons. Sometimes it's a subtle refresh, maybe a slightly updated font or a tweaked colourway. Other seasons, certain clubs make more significant changes to their guernsey design, and those drops tend to generate a lot of excitement among supporters and collectors alike. Keeping an eye on what's changed each year is part of the fun for many fans.

Beyond the main on-field range, some clubs also release special edition jerseys tied to themed rounds throughout the season. These can move quickly, particularly the more popular or limited designs, so if something catches your eye it's worth acting sooner rather than later. Sizing can become limited once a design gains traction.

The simple advice is this: the earlier in the season you look, the better your chances of finding the right size and design. If you're not sure what's currently available, feel free to browse the range at Exclusive Collections Australia or get in touch directly. We're happy to let you know what new season stock we have on hand.

Why Shop With Exclusive Collections Australia

We're a proudly Australian, family-owned small business based in Victoria, run by Karen, Mark and the family. We're not a large national chain or a global platform. We're real people who genuinely love Australian sport and care about the customers we serve. When you shop with us, you're dealing with a family who takes pride in what we do, not a faceless corporation processing orders at scale.

Every product we stock is officially licensed AFL merchandise. That means you can shop with complete confidence, knowing that what you receive carries the correct club colours, accurate logos and the quality standards the AFL requires from its authorised retailers. Given that counterfeit and grey-market AFL gear does exist in the marketplace, knowing how to verify a legitimate licensed retailer is genuinely worth understanding as a shopper.

If you ever have a question about sizing, stock availability, gifting options or anything else, you're welcome to reach out and you'll get a real, helpful response. That personal, approachable service is something a family business can offer in a way that a 200-plus-employee chain simply can't match.

Our range covers AFL jerseys, apparel, headwear, accessories and supporter gear across clubs from across the competition, and we're always growing what we offer. Whether you're buying for yourself, a friend, or a die-hard fan in the family, we genuinely want to help you find the right thing.

Every purchase you make with us supports a local Victorian family business. Your money stays in the community rather than heading offshore or into a large corporate group, and that's a choice more and more Australians are making deliberately.

Final Thoughts on Buying AFL Jerseys

Buying an AFL jersey doesn't need to be complicated, but a few key things are worth keeping in mind. Always go for officially licensed product, match the jersey type to how it'll be used, check sizing carefully (especially for kids and gifts), and keep an eye on seasonal availability if you're after a new-season release.

Whether you're buying for yourself, a child just discovering the game, a lifelong supporter or someone special who bleeds their club's colours, an AFL jersey is one of those purchases that genuinely means something. It's not just clothing. It's a statement of belonging.

At Exclusive Collections Australia, we're always happy to help if you're unsure about sizing, stock or which jersey suits your situation best. Browse our current range or get in touch before you buy. We're a real family business and we actually love talking footy.