The Brisbane Broncos debuted their 2022 heritage jersey before the Round 3 Queensland Derby against the North Queensland Cowboys. The jersey celebrates the 30th anniversary of the clubs first ever premiership in 1992 and is a modern take on the classic Powers Bitter jersey complete with the famous maroon, yellow, seven white stripes.
The heritage jersey also brings back the iconic rugby league collar. A feature of rugby league jerseys of yesteryear that is considered an endangered species in the modern era of the game. While I don’t want to specifically blame Gordon Tallis’ famous tackle on Brett Hodgson in State Of Origin for wiping out Rugby League collars from our game… I can’t imagine he did them any favours.
The Broncos brand new heritage jersey got us thinking here at Ladbrokes about other classic alternative jerseys in sporting history and I have compiled a list of our favourite all time alternative jerseys.
Miami Heat’s Vice Nights Jersey
Like a scene straight out of Miami Vice, The Heat absolutely nailed their City Jersey in the 2018/19 season. The black jersey with neon pink and blue highlights was a tribute to the vibrant nightlife scene that Miami is famous for.
Complete with the iconic 80’s Miami font, this jersey incorporates the city of Miami perfectly and the Dwayne Wade #3 was a top-selling jersey on the NBA site (and probably Bali) as D Wade completed his farewell tour before retiring. Not many city jerseys have captured the essence of the area they represent quite like this Miami jersey.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Creamcicle
It’s an alternative jersey that’s made multiple appearances and it looks like it will be coming back around again in the 2022/23 season. Originally debuted in 1976, Tampa Bay wore an orange and white third uniform that was nicknamed the “Creamsicle” uniform by fans. The Creamsicle uniform made a resurgence between 2009 to 2012 but seemingly disappeared as the NFL introduced a rule in 2013 that allowed only one set of helmets per team.
It seems however that we will see the creamsicles again in the 2022-23 season according to a Buccaneers press release that was released earlier this month, was this the reason Tom Brady rescinded his retirement announcement? I believe so.
Canberra Raiders “The Milk” Jersey
Up The Milk! A common saying that is screamed most weekends at GIO Stadium. The Raiders were given this nickname in the 90s when their main jersey sponsor became Canberra Milk in 1994. The Raiders leaned into this fully with milk carton shaped post pads, cartons of milk for sale at games and even their own Raiders Green lime flavored milk.
Their original iconic “Milk” jersey was originally worn in 1994 by the likes of Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and current coach Ricky Stuart when the team defeated the Bulldogs 36-12 to win the grand final. In 2021, the Raiders announced that their alternative jersey would be a throwback to that classic milk jersey that Canberra wore when they were capable of winning a Grand Final.
Tottenham Galaxy Kit
“What do we think of Tottenham?…” Actually, don’t answer that. The Spurs haven’t had a huge amount to cheer about in recent years. That didn’t stop their designer in the 2021/22 season producing an absolute banger of an alternative kit. Some call it “The Galaxy Kit” others “The Oil Spill”, I think it’s the best thing to happen to Tottenham in a long time. A really visually stunning design that’s certain not to clash with any team. The dark colours are perfect for hiding Spurs’ fans tears too when they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Brisbane Heat Blackout Jerseys
Whoever decided that the only Queensland team in the BBL should wear “Teal” or New South Wales Blue as I see it need to have a long hard look at themselves. If there was a list of colours not to give to a Queensland Team, I firmly believe that sky blue would be number one.
Despite what I think, The Heat have been going round for nearly 12 years now and I can’t imagine a rebrand is on the cards anytime soon. Selling jerseys is probably more of a priority and it’s a tough sell to convince Queenslanders to wear sky blue at the best of times. The Heat announced a uniform for the 2022 First Nations Round that even the most patriotic of Queenslanders could get around.
The uniform is primarily black featuring indigenous artwork from The Heat WBBL’s own player Mikayla Hinkley and Brisbane Indigenous artist, Delores McDonald (“Aunty Delly”).