PORT ADELAIDE has revealed its Pride guernsey for the 2023 NAB AFLW season, thoughtfully and intricately designed by defender Ebony O’Dea.
O’Dea, who was voted last season’s “players’ player”, created the guernsey to represent all those who make up the Port Adelaide AFLW program.
Featuring a range of rainbow-coloured icons, O’Dea’s intention is for everybody to be able to find something that reflects them within the design.
“It was based on the Season 7 squad, and all of the symbols you can see in the background are either Pride symbols or based off people in our team and what makes them special,” O’Dea said.
“For example, the olives are on there because they’re Borgy’s (Amelie Borg) favourite food and I thought that was weird and cute. The airplane is on there because Maz (Maria Moloney) is in the Air Force and the toothpaste is there because Liv (Olivia Levicki) and Hammo (Cheyenne Hammond) are both dental nurses. So, they’ve all got a reason behind them.”
The design incorporates traditional Pride symbols, such as the rainbow and the unicorn, along with icons that represent historical LGBTQIA+ events and movements, like the green carnation and lavender rhino.
O’Dea said the concept also drew inspiration from the Season 7 fingerprint Pride guernsey design, which was about individuality and identity.
“It’s all about what makes people unique,” she said.
“Down the bottom is our first whole group photo at Alberton Oval on the day of our first home game too, so that’s pretty special,” she said.
The design stayed true to the classic Port Adelaide ‘V’ but added a special touch by turning the white ‘V’ into two hands holding each other – an illustration of unity and equality amongst a group of diverse people.
The guernsey also features three lines around the neck in light pink, light blue and white – the colours of the transgender flag.
O’Dea was first approached to lead the design process in October 2022, and kept her involvement a secret from the playing group until she revealed the final strip only a few weeks ago.
“I was so excited when I was first asked to design it, that I got home and straight away spent six hours doodling in my notebook, coming up with all sorts of random ideas,” O’Dea said.
“I think two days later I got to the concept and started to run with that. I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out.”
Port Adelaide graphic designer Rachel McLean helped to bring O’Dea’s vision to life, from hand-drawn images, all the way to the final product.
“It was an amazing process to be a part of,” O’Dea said.
“I just love Pride Round because it’s a celebration of being unique but also being part of a community. I can’t wait to see our team run out wearing this guernsey. It’s just as much theirs as it is mine.”
Click here to read more about O’Dea’s design in her own words.
Replica Pride guernseys in adult sizes are available exclusively in-store from the Port Store at Alberton.
The Port Store will also be taking phone orders with a ship-from-store option available to ensure that members and fans are given the best opportunity possible to purchase. All guernseys ordered over the phone will receive a free can cooler (one per order).
Additional Pride Round merchandise, also designed by O’Dea, will be available at The Port Store in the coming days.
Port Adelaide will wear the guernsey in Round 10, on Saturday, 4 November at Alberton Oval.
