AFL merchandise collecting can be a rewarding way to connect with the game you love. It’s about capturing moments, preserving memories, and building a connection to the game that goes deeper than just watching from the stands or the couch.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan whose garage looks like a club museum exploded, or a newcomer wondering if that signed Sherrin from a recent Grand Final is worth picking up at a garage sale, this guide is for you. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know how to start, build, and maintain a collection that tells the story of your footy journey—without going broke or filling your house with junk you’ll regret.

Let’s get into it.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

Before you dive headfirst into the world of guernseys, signed balls, and limited-edition bobbleheads, get these basics sorted:

A budget – Decide how much you can realistically spend per month or year. This hobby can get expensive fast if you don’t set boundaries.
Storage space – Think about where you’ll keep your collection. A spare room, a dedicated display cabinet, or even just a few shelves can work.
A focus or theme – Collecting everything is a recipe for chaos. Pick something specific (more on this in step one).
Basic research tools – Online marketplaces, trading groups, and dedicated communities are your new best friends.
Patience – The best finds don’t happen overnight.

Step-by-Step Process to Building Your AFL Merchandise Collection

Step 1: Choose Your Focus

You can’t collect everything. Well, you can, but your wallet and your partner’s patience will hate you for it. Pick a niche that excites you.

Popular focuses include:

A specific club (Collingwood, Richmond, West Coast—you name it)
A specific era (the 90s, the early 2000s, the modern game)
Grand Final memorabilia (programs, tickets, scarves, signed balls)
Player-specific collections (all things from your favourite player)
Guernseys (home, away, clash, heritage, indigenous round)
Signed items (balls, jumpers, photos, boots)

If you’re just starting out, pick one club or one type of item. It keeps things manageable and stops you from buying random stuff you’ll regret later.

Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget

This is where most collectors go wrong. They see a signed Sherrin from a famous Grand Final and suddenly they’re eating two-minute noodles for a month.

How to set a budget:

Look at your disposable income after bills, savings, and essentials
Decide a monthly cap (say $50–$100 to start)
For bigger purchases (like a match-worn guernsey), save up separately
Track everything—use a spreadsheet or a notes app

Pro tip: Factor in shipping costs, especially for interstate or international purchases. That $30 signed photo can quickly become $50 with postage.

Step 3: Learn to Spot Fakes and Reproductions

This is probably the most important step. The AFL merchandise market has fakes, and they’re getting better every year.

Red flags to watch for:

Prices that seem too good to be true (they usually are)
Signatures that look stamped or printed rather than hand-signed
Missing holograms or authentication stickers
Poor stitching on guernseys (loose threads, uneven logos)
Sellers with zero feedback or suspiciously new accounts

How to protect yourself:

Buy from reputable sellers or official club stores when possible
Ask for proof of authenticity (certificates, receipts, photos of the signing)
Join AFL collecting forums and online groups—veteran collectors love helping spot fakes
If it’s a signed item, compare the signature to known authentic examples online

Step 4: Build Your Network

Collecting isn’t a solo sport. The best finds come from connections.

Where to connect:

Online groups (search for AFL memorabilia collectors or your specific club)
Community forums and sports memorabilia communities
Local footy clubs and swap meets
Reliable online sellers you’ve had good experiences with
Social media accounts that post about AFL merchandise drops

Why this matters: Other collectors will tip you off about upcoming auctions, rare finds, or sellers who are reliable. Some of the best pieces come because someone in a group messaged saying, “Hey, there’s a signed jumper on a local marketplace—grab it quick.”

Step 5: Start Small, Then Go Big

Don’t drop a large sum on a match-worn jumper in your first month. Start with affordable items and work your way up.

Beginner-friendly items:

Club scarves
Signed photos
Grand Final programs (for recent ones)
Replica guernseys
Keyrings, magnets, and small collectibles

Intermediate items:

Signed match balls
Limited edition prints
Heritage guernseys
Official team merchandise from specific seasons

Advanced items:

Match-worn guernseys
Signed boots or gloves
Rare vintage items (older programs, early club scarves)
Complete sets (all 18 club guernseys from a specific year)

Step 6: Store and Display Your Collection Properly

You’ve spent time and money building this collection. Don’t ruin it by storing things badly.

Storage tips:

Keep items away from direct sunlight (it fades signatures and fabric)
Use acid-free sleeves for paper items (programs, tickets, photos)
Store guernseys on padded hangers or folded in acid-free boxes
Keep signed balls in display cases or UV-protective sleeves
Control humidity—damp basements and attics are your enemy

Display ideas:

Shadow boxes for signed items
Floating shelves for guernseys
A dedicated “wall of fame” in your man cave or living room
Rotating displays so you can enjoy different pieces over time

Step 7: Document Your Collection

This sounds boring, but it’s critical once your collection grows.

What to document:

Photos of each item
Receipts or proof of purchase
Authentication certificates
Estimated value (update this yearly)

Insurance options:

Check if your home and contents insurance covers collectibles
Some insurers offer specific policies for sports memorabilia
For high-value items, consider a separate rider or policy

Step 8: Know When to Buy and When to Wait

Timing is everything in collecting.

Good times to buy:

End of season (fans offloading items after a disappointing year)
Off-season (less demand, better prices)
When a player retires (prices often dip before rising again)
During club merchandise sales or clearance events

Times to be cautious:

Right after a Grand Final win (prices skyrocket)
During the hype of a new season (everything is full price)
When a player is in the news for the wrong reasons (prices can be volatile)

Step 9: Trade and Sell Strategically

Part of collecting is knowing when to let go. You might outgrow a focus, need space, or want to fund a bigger purchase.

Where to sell:

Online groups (low fees, targeted audience)
Online marketplaces (wider audience, but higher fees)
Local classifieds (local pickup, no shipping stress)
Specialised sports memorabilia sites

Trading tips:

Be clear about condition (honesty builds trust)
Take good photos in natural light
Price competitively based on recent sales, not what you want to get
Bundle smaller items to make sales more attractive

Step 10: Enjoy the Journey, Not Just the Destination

This is the most important step. Collecting should be fun, not stressful.

Don’t compare your collection to others on social media
Celebrate the small wins—a signed photo you’ve been chasing for months, a rare program you found at a garage sale
Share your collection with friends and family
Remember why you started collecting in the first place

Pro Tips and Common Mistakes

Pro Tips

Set alerts online for specific keywords (e.g., “Richmond signed guernsey,” “AFL Grand Final program 1995”)
Attend club functions and fan days – these can be good sources for signed items at reasonable prices
Buy multiples of cheap items – if you find a bargain on scarves or keyrings, grab a few to trade later
Network with club insiders – some club staff or former players sell memorabilia directly
Check op shops and garage sales – you’d be surprised what people throw out

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying on impulse – that signed ball from a player you don’t even like? Leave it.
Ignoring condition – a “bargain” with stains, tears, or fading is no bargain at all
Overpaying for common items – do your research before hitting “buy now”
Storing items poorly – collections can be ruined by damp garages and sunny windowsills
Chasing hype – just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s a good investment or worth owning
Forgetting about shipping costs – always check before you commit

Checklist Summary

Here’s your quick-reference checklist for building an AFL merchandise collection:

Choose a focus (club, era, item type, or player)
Set a realistic monthly budget
Learn to spot fakes and reproductions
Join collecting communities (online groups, forums)
Start with affordable items and work up
Store items properly (avoid sun, moisture, heat)
Document everything (photos, receipts, certificates)
Consider insurance for high-value pieces
Time your purchases (end of season, off-season)
Trade and sell strategically when needed
Enjoy the process and share your collection

AFL merchandise collecting is one of the most rewarding hobbies a footy fan can have. It connects you to the game’s history, gives you a tangible link to the moments you love, and creates conversations with fellow fans who get it.

Whether you’re chasing a signed jumper from a star player, a complete set of Grand Final programs from a favourite era, or just a few scarves from your club, the key is to be patient, be smart, and have fun.

Now get out there and start hunting. Your next great find is waiting.

Got a collection you’re proud of? Share it with the community—we’d love to see what you’ve built.

AFL Merchandise Collecting: A Practical Guide for Footy Fans