Over-35s AFL is growing across every state league in 2026, and most masters clubs are stuck reordering last decade's guernsey design because nobody on the committee wants to deal with sizing charts, minimum orders, or a printer who doesn't understand what "reversible training set" actually means. This guide breaks down what a masters guernsey buyer needs to check before signing off an order, and which jersey styles hold up across a full winter season.
- Masters AFL guernseys need roomier cuts and tougher print than junior or open-age kit β check fit range before ordering.
- Reversible v-neck styles like the Windy City jersey suit split-squad training nights: Buy for clubs running two training sides.
- Screen-printed one-size blanks are the biggest mistake for over-35s squads β Skip anything without a real size range.
- Sublimated full-colour print outlasts screen print across an 18-round masters season β non-negotiable for 2026 orders.
Why this matters
Masters footy clubs run on volunteer committees and tight budgets, so a guernsey order that goes wrong doesn't get fixed mid-season β it gets worn wrong for the rest of the year. Over-35s and over-45s leagues have ballooned in participation since the early 2020s, and most of that growth is social players who never wore a custom kit in open-age footy and don't know what to ask a supplier.
The stakes are different from a junior club order too. A masters squad skews toward bigger frames, more sun exposure across a long season, and a membership base that will complain loudly if the guernsey shrinks or fades by round 10. Getting the brief right before ordering saves a reorder in 2026 and every season after.
Who this is for
This guide is for committee members, team managers, or social convenors at an over-35s or over-45s AFL masters club sourcing a full squad kit β not individual players buying a one-off. If you're ordering for a custom AFL jerseys for masters and veterans teams program with 20 to 40 players across a mixed-age roster, the criteria below apply directly.
What to look for in masters AFL guernseys
Extended size range
Masters rosters run a wider spread of builds than an under-18s or open-age squad β you'll have players anywhere from a trim 3XL to a broader 5XL on the same team sheet. A supplier that stops at 2XL forces half your committee into a guernsey that doesn't fit, and that's a fight nobody wants to have in a change room in 2026.
Print durability across a full season
Sublimated dye-print holds colour through wash cycles and sun exposure far better than screen print, which cracks and fades after a dozen wet-weather rounds. A masters season runs 16 to 20 rounds plus finals β the guernsey needs to survive all of it without the numbers peeling off.
Reversible construction for training nights
Many masters clubs split a single squad into two training sides each week rather than running separate reserves kit. A reversible jersey β printed differently on each face β solves that without buying two full sets, which matters when the training budget is a fraction of the match-day budget.
Fabric weight for endurance, not sprint
Over-35s footy is played at a different pace than open-age β longer sustained running, fewer explosive sprints, more time on-field per player given smaller rotations. A lighter, more breathable weave beats a heavier match-day fabric built for short bursts and constant interchange.
Minimum order quantity that matches a social squad
A lot of suppliers set minimums built for 30-plus junior development squads. Masters clubs often field 22 to 26 rostered players across a season β check the minimum before you commit, because ordering 10 extra guernseys nobody wears is dead budget.
Heritage colour matching
A good number of masters clubs are reviving a defunct league strip or an old club's colours from the 1980s or 90s. Confirm the supplier can match a specific colourway rather than pushing you toward a stock template that's close but not right.
Top picks for masters AFL guernseys
The safe pick β Windy City reversible v-neck jersey Reversible construction on a v-neck cut, which covers the two-sides-training-night problem most masters clubs hit every week. One jersey, two printed faces β no second kit order needed for split-squad nights. Buy for any club running more than one training group off a single roster.
The budget option β Royals reversible v-neck jersey Same reversible build in a simpler colour layout, which usually means a faster proof turnaround because there's less complex artwork to approve. Works well for a club ordering late in the pre-season and racing a fixture start date in 2026. Consider if your committee needs the order locked in fast and colour complexity isn't the priority.
The retro-colour pick β Phantoms reversible v-neck jersey This is the base style clubs use most often when rebuilding a heritage strip for masters AFL guernseys, since the panel layout leaves room for a full club crest and sponsor block without crowding the numbers. Buy for clubs reviving an old colourway rather than starting from a stock template.
βIf the guernsey doesn't survive a full season of over-35s footy, the print job failed, not the fixture list.β
What to avoid
- One-size or narrow-range blanks β a jersey that tops out at 2XL will fail a chunk of most masters rosters. Confirm the full size chart before ordering, not after the sizes arrive wrong.
- Screen-printed numbers on a full-colour design β screen print handles single-colour text fine but cracks fast under a full sublimated pattern; mixing the two methods on one guernsey is a false economy that shows up by round 8.
- Stock templates dressed up as "custom" β if the supplier can't match your actual club colourway and just offers a close stock option, that's not a custom AFL guernsey, it's a re-skin. Push for genuine colour matching if you're reviving a heritage strip.
Verdict comparison
| Pick | Build | Best for | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windy City reversible v-neck | Reversible, dual-face print | Split-squad training nights | Buy |
| Royals reversible v-neck | Reversible, simpler layout | Fast turnaround, tight timeline | Consider |
| Phantoms reversible v-neck | Reversible, full-crest panel | Heritage colour rebuilds | Buy |
FAQ
What's the best fabric for masters AFL guernseys?
A lighter, breathable weave suits masters footy better than a heavyweight match fabric, since over-35s games involve more sustained running and fewer sprint bursts. Look for a weave rated for endurance wear across a full 2026 season rather than short-format training gear.
Is sublimation printing better than screen print for footy guernseys?
Yes β sublimated dye-print holds colour and detail through a full season of wash cycles and sun exposure, while screen print cracks and fades after repeated wet-weather rounds. Most masters clubs ordering in 2026 are moving away from screen print for exactly this reason.
How much does a custom AFL guernsey cost for a masters club?
Cost depends on print complexity, order volume and fabric choice, so check current pricing directly with your supplier before budgeting. Reversible styles and full heritage colour matching typically sit at a different price point than a simple stock template.
Do masters AFL clubs need reversible jerseys?
Not every club does, but any masters squad that splits into two training sides each week benefits from a reversible jersey instead of buying a second full kit. It's one printed garment doing the job of two.
What size range do masters footy squads usually need?
Masters rosters typically need a wider size spread than junior or open-age squads, often stretching from a trim 3XL to a broader 5XL on the same team sheet. Confirm the supplier's full size chart before locking in numbers and names.
How long does a custom guernsey order take before the 2026 season starts?
Turnaround varies by supplier and order complexity, so lock in artwork approval as early as possible before pre-season training begins. Simpler colour layouts generally move through proofing faster than full heritage rebuilds.
Can a masters club match an old heritage colourway exactly?
A genuine custom supplier can match a specific heritage colourway rather than pushing a close stock template, which matters for clubs reviving a defunct strip from past decades. Ask specifically about colour matching before assuming a stock option will do.
What's the minimum order size for a masters AFL guernsey run?
Minimums differ by supplier, and many are built around larger junior development squads rather than a 22 to 26 player masters roster. Check the minimum order quantity before committing so you're not paying for guernseys the club doesn't need.
One last thing
The clubs that get burned worst aren't the ones who pick the wrong colour β they're the ones who approve a proof without checking the size chart against their actual roster. A masters squad has the widest build spread of any AFL age group, and that's the detail that gets skipped every single 2026 pre-season rush.