Sharks strip trip back to the future
East Fremantle are turning back the clock, with the WAFL club to use a heritage-inspired guernsey for every match this season.
The Sharks league, reserves and colts teams will all run out in the 1970s-themed traditional strip in 2014.
The jumper’s design was created for last year’s Foxtel Cup.
The guernsey features vertical white and blue stripes on the front and is dominated by the traditional club logo.
The jumper will be officially unveiled when the Sharks host premiers West Perth at East Fremantle Oval in the season opener on March 22.
East Fremantle football manager Darryn Fry said a survey had returned an overwhelmingly positive response to the heritage guernsey.
“Given the national exposure we received from being involved in the Foxtel Cup and the tremendous feedback on the jumper from both players, supporters and staff, we thought that it might have been a good time to change,” he said.
Adelaide-based Copyworld will be among major sponsors to have their name on the jumper after signing a $100,000, three-year deal with East Fremantle before Christmas.
Superstitious Sharks fans will be hoping that history repeats.
East Fremantle last changed its jumper design in 1998 and went on to win the premiership that year. The league side has not won a flag since.
Seven of the club’s new recruits for 2014 united this week to showcase the jumper.
De-listed West Coast midfielder Bradd Dalziell headlines a list that includes the returning Brock O’Brien and Jamie McNamara, axed Geelong rookie Cameron Eardley, former East Perth pair Danny Chartres and Boston Williamson, and brothers Tim and James Bristow. The latter’s transfer from Peel Thunder is still subject to WAFL approval, but is considered a formality.
Fry said the club’s depth was greater this year, with at least making finals the goal after last year’s fifth-placed finish.
