Connected – celebrating the 2017 premiership

I looked through 46 pages of Getty news photographs after the Grand Final to find the right pics to celebrate each of the premiership players for this post. And I just couldn’t stop looking at the pics of the boys lined up for the anthem. Is it the Crows dopey pose? Is it the yellow? Teams often line up with linked arms, but there is just something about this occasion that seems special. They look relaxed, united, and ready to make history.
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

I had been kicking around lame ideas for a premiership design that was a celebration but not a cash-in exactly, and didn’t rip off the club’s intellectual property, or use player’s pictures without their permission. I looked at this photo by Darrian Traynor and just thought; perfect bumper sticker format. Could work with no logos, no faces, not even any sash. But everyone is so recognisable, especially for a Tiges fan. [I am a bush lawyer on these matters and just follow the law of trying to do the right thing].

Should it say “Tigers Together 2017” or “Connected” or “Premiers”? It felt great when the perfect idea arrived; that no text was required at all. Here it is.

I really like thinking about what was going through their heads, who was next to who, the dynamics of it. Redheads together, old mates Prestia and Caddy together etc. Somehow Sheds is the figure I come back to again and again.

Design notes

• Simplicity is an important part of good design, so everyone’s got black boots. And if you want tatts you will have to draw them in yourselves.
• On the other hand everyone’s socks are exactly as photographed; 1 out of 44 is pulled up. Happy to discuss this at length with any sock psychologists out there.
• Bachar and Dylan have their heads bowed in the photo. I have tried to depict this for Bachar but it didn’t feel right for the design for Dylan.
• Some of the hairdos are a bit rough; I have tweaked them a bit for the bumper sticker.

You can buy it now on shirts, mugs, phone covers, scarves; on Redbubble via my site here.

There is a bumper sticker coming; I am printing locally and I’ll pump it up on all social media when they are available, maybe 2 weeks but hopefully less, around $8. More expensive but very good quality ones are available now on Redbubble.

UPDATE the stickers are here, they are $6 each including GST and postage within Australia.

The last thing to say about it is I made a donation to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision and one to Alannah & Madeline Foundation on behalf of everyone who has bought something. It’s not a formal arrangement, they certainly do NOT endorse this and neither does the club or AFL. We the supporters have given a lot to this club for years. But now in return the whole club from the volunteers up to Peggy and Brendon, Cotch and Dimma, have given us a premiership. The most wonderful, unexpected gift we could ask for. And that’s why people are buying this thing, so while sales continue I will make sure the club’s charity partners benefit from this windfall.