AFL players led by Patrick Dangerfield rebel against having to wear uniforms on game day

Geelong icon Patrick Dangerfield is among AFL stars who are pushing for the right to wear whatever they want when they arrive at games instead of being forced to show up in uniforms dictated by their clubs.

If successful, the campaign could see the game’s biggest names rock up at grounds dressed in their choice of the latest fashions like their American counterparts in the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball – with eye-catching results.

The Cats legend and current AFL Players Association president talked about the change with other skippers at the league’s recent Captains Day and could push for it to be part of the league’s upcoming collective bargaining agreement, according to Seven News.

If Dangerfield and other big names in the AFL get their way, arriving at the ground in uniform like Brodie Smith and his Crows teammates (pictured) will be a thing of the past

The Geelong skipper showed off his flair for fashion when he arrived for an AFLX game in 2019, when the players were allowed to wear whatever they wanted

Geelong will reportedly trial a diluted version of the concept when the players wear their own choice of club gear at Friday night’s game against Collingwood.

However, a stumbling block in the players’ plan is the fact clubs love the exposure their sponsors get when players are all decked out in team uniforms. 

Footy stars got the chance to show off their taste in clothing in 2019 when the ill-fated, nine-a-side AFLX games were held in the preseason.

With no strict dress code holding them back, stars like Dangerfield, Nat Fyfe, Jamie Macmillan and Tom Hawkins arrived in an eclectic range of trendy outfits.

Richmond’s Alex Rance even arrived on an electric skateboard, clad in a sharp white suit, sunglasses and headphones.  

Nat Fyfe also turned heads when he rocked up to the ill-fated, nine-a-side AFLX experiment

The biggest names in Aussie Rules could soon be allowed to head into stadiums looking like they’ve stepped off a catwalk in Paris – like NBA star Jaden Springer (pictured)

Basketball superstar Russell Westbrook is one of the most fashion-forward athletes in the US

It’s a fair indication that given the opportunity, the code’s big names will show off just like their opposite numbers in the USA.

NFL stars are famed for arriving at games in attire ranging from three-piece suits and fedoras to tuxedos, tracksuits teamed with huge gold chains, and even ugly Christmas jumpers accompanied by Santa hats.

Big names from the NBA often arrive at the game looking like they’ve stepped off a catwalk in Paris or Milan, with Russell Westbrook’s blazer and skirt combo making waves last December.

Philadelphia 76ers star Jaden Springer turned heads in what looked like an all-purple tracksuit stuffed with padding that month, while James Harden and PJ tucker arrived with their faces hidden behind colourful balaclavas.