Chief Executive Michael Bowers said the bold decision was taken because both the Adelaide Crows’ home and away Guernseys clashed with the Lions’ traditional home strip.
“The club’s strong preference is always to wear the traditional strip at home on the Gabba. But we were put between a rock and a hard place last weekend with the predominantly dark navy blue colours of the Crows’ home jumper and the predominantly dark red colours of their away jumper.
“That left us as the only side with an option to wear a clash Guernsey that would clearly distinguish between the two teams for our players, the spectators and TV viewers at home,” Mr Bowers said.
“We didn’t want members at the ground and the viewing public to be disadvantaged by the limitations of Adelaide’s designs when it comes to our maroon Guernsey.
“We definitely weren’t trying to alienate our supporters. However, the simple fact is that we have identified Adelaide along with Carlton, Essendon and Melbourne as having strips that can cause some on-field confusion.”
Leigh Matthews was genuinely frustrated throughout the rain-soaked pre-season cup match against Melbourne up in Cairns back in 2005 when the two teams were indistinguishable in their dark Guernseys in the wet.
And at the clash Guernsey launch earlier this year, Luke Power spoke openly about accidentally handballing to an Adelaide player during the ‘snap decision situation’ of an on-ball tackle because of momentary jersey confusion.
“We regard the Lions as being a very progressive club so when a clash Guernsey is required we don’t pull any punches to ensure we contrast with every other jumper in the competition. Plus it gave our Brisbane-based supporters a chance to finally see the clash Guernsey in the flesh on home turf to make up their own minds about the outfit,” Mr Bowers said.
“However, we have warmly welcomed and clearly noted the comments made by 18 members who gave us feedback on the Adelaide decision last weekend - it is not a matter that we take lightly. I would also like to point out that merchandising sales were certainly not a motivating factor.”
Members and supporters should be aware that the Melbourne Demons game at the Gabba in round 15 on Saturday 14 July is technically an ‘away’ game for the Lions so the players will don the clash Guernsey on home turf again this year. This will be the last of the Demons’ ‘home’ games that the club has agreed to host at the Gabba.
The Lions will gladly note the contents of any petition relating to the clash Guernsey. The club also asks that Melbourne fans get behind the Fitzroy jumper being worn against West Coast at Subiaco for the AFL’s heritage round and against Hawthorn in round 19 on Saturday 11 August before the Kings of the Pride reunion function that night for all Fitzroy, Bears and Lions players past and present.
