With the 2019 season a few weeks away, it’s time to look at the jerseys for the new season. To keep it simple, I’ll focus on home jerseys.
Seasons: 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
BRISBANE
After a couple years of retro-inspired jerseys, Brisbane have opted for a blander design. It looks like an old Western Suburbs Magpies jersey with two maroon horizontal bands divided by a large yellow horizontal stripe (replacing the Magpies’ black and white). Not their best effort, but hopefully their amazing heritage jersey makes a few more appearances to compensate.
VERDICT: Like the Broncos’ 2018 season, this jersey is underwhelming.
CANBERRA
The Raiders celebrate 30 years since the 1989 grand final with a magnificent throwback jersey. While the green is a bit darker than some purists would like, the white collar and the horizontal white, blue and yellow and white armbands is peak Green Machine (and no more blue sidestripe). In a great design choice, Dare’s logo is on the shoulders, leaving the armbands unobstructed.
VERDICT: Eighties nostalgia for the win.
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN
The Bulldogs have made minor changes to their jersey, with new manufacturer Classic returning to the full blue V across the shoulders and collar, with another blue V angling down the the red KIA logo (a nice contrast on a blue and white jersey) and blue sleeves. It looks closer to the iconic Canterbury jersey, which will please fans.
VERDICT: Classic brings the classic look back.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND
While the Sharks haven’t changed their 2018 design, the lack of a front-of-jersey sponsor (no more major sponsor Opal Solar and sleeve sponsor Martec) is jarring. Hopefully the Sharks find some form and pick up some new sponsors.
VERDICT: In an era where sponsors are everywhere on a uniform, the Sharks look like they’re wearing a Best and Less jersey.
GOLD COAST
The youngest NRL club have been the hardest to design for, though they succeed when they keep it simple, like their horizontal stripe heritage jersey.
The new jersey has a darker blue, and looks closer to NSW’s Origin jersey (which Queenslanders will love of course). While the varying chest chevrons are a bit messy, the large Titan logo on the body is a decent touch.
VERDICT: Could be better.
MANLY-WARRINGAH
Like Canterbury, a minor change makes a huge difference. The white horizontal stripes are thicker and whiter, and the white collar and ISC shoulder logos look beautiful. A fine effort. Hopefully the Sea Eagles can have a better season with it.
VERDICT: Simply marvellous.
MELBOURNE
The Storm haven’t released their jersey yet, though based on trial photos, it looks unchanged from last year’s 20th anniversary jersey.
VERDICT: No change so far.
NEWCASTLE
A season of promise in 2018 was made better by the news that Newcastle would return fulltime to their 1988 Henny Penny design (the internet lost its mind when the drummer for Gang of Youths wore it at last year’s grand final).
VERDICT: Back to the eighties for Newcastle…and don’t we love it?
NORTH QUEENSLAND
The Cowboys haven’t changed their 2018 jersey, which is predominately blue with the cowboy logo on the chest and a touch of yellow. It works well, so no need to change it.
VERDICT: Still the same, which is fine.
PARRAMATTA
The Eels have also stuck to their 2018 horizontal stripe design. It’s a great retro look, so fans won’t mind getting another year from it.
VERDICT: No need to change.
PENRITH
Penrith have fixed their licorice allsorts jersey. Gone is the black-fading-into-white look of 2018. It’s replaced by a solid black jersey, with the red, yellow and green stripes on the chest (which recedes into white stripes down toward the torso) and sleeves. Major sponsor Oak Plus is tucked neatly under the stripes.
VERDICT: Much cleaner than 2018.
ST. GEORGE-ILLAWARRA
The traditional red V is hard to screw up, and the Dragons have kept the tried-and-true design, with the red collar returning. It would be nice to see more acknowledgement of the Illawarra Steelers though, even a simple Steelers logo on the arms.
VERDICT: Sticking to the classics, but still no love for the Steelers.
SOUTH SYDNEY
Souths have finally made a change from the awful black and white side/shoulder panels. While the black/white side panels remain, the shoulder panels are red, making it look closer to a traditional Souths jerseys. A big improvement.
VERDICT: Some extra red makes all the difference.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
The Roosters are sticking with the traditional design, as they should. The classic red and white chevrons (and ‘1908 E.D.R.L.F.C’ on the inside of the collar) are synonymous with the Eastern Suburbs club, so they’d be insane to change it. Though it would be nice to see an extra badge commemorating their premiership win.
VERDICT: Same old song and dance for the Roosters.
NZ WARRIORS
Like a nostalgic Simpsons fan, the Warriors have returned to 1995 for their 25th season, going back to the old Auckland Warriors green and red chevrons on a blue base (the white and red Vodafone logo is a striking contrast too). It’s a work of art and fans will devour it. In a nice touch, the logo also reverts to the 1995 colours, keeping the current straight tongue.
VERDICT: This contest is over, give the Warriors the $10,000!
WESTS TIGERS
The merged club’s combination of black, white and orange is tough to pull off (though their heritage striped jersey is amazing). The Tigers’ 20th anniversary jersey isn’t bad. It has a black base, with a big orange chevron surrounded by two smaller white chevrons. It’s a simpler design than last year. Can the Tigers ride it to their first finals appearance since 2011?
VERDICT: An improvement.
