Why Giants are pushing for the AFL to put player names on the back of guernseys

GWS footy boss Jason McCartney has explained his club’s push to have player names put on the back of AFL guernseys.

The AFL trialled surnames on kits in Round 5, 2014, but opted against making it permanent at the time due to practical limitations.

While names haven’t been featured on guernseys for almost a decade, the Giants made a proposal to the AFL to make them a permanent fixture at a league-wide summit this week. It was ultimately knocked back as the AFL wants uniformity between all clubs, with only a handful of teams backing GWS’ push.

The AFL also believe that the unique shape of guernseys restricts the size of lettering that can be used, limiting the legibility of player names for fans.

While the AFL are currently against the push, McCartney feels the move would help the Giants who are trying to promote the sport and their players in Western Sydney.

He also feels that the initiative could be accepted in years to come.

“It’s more from our commercial and consumer team that have been in Melbourne at a summit over the last few days,” McCartney told SEN Dwayne’s World.

“It's one I know have been across on our executive that we've pushed for it for a while.

“Obviously, we're in a new market and obviously there's a lot of people that come to our games and we're trying to attract a new audience.

“For people coming for the first time and not really understanding the game, we think it would have great benefit there.

“We know it's been knocked back at the moment, but I think it will be something that could be revisited by the AFL next year.

“Look, you feel like in time it's probably something that is every possibility to come in.

“But it's not to be at the moment, so that’s okay.”

Names on the back of kits are commonplace in most elite sports around the world and among some of the most popular leagues such as the NBA, NFL and English Premier League.