The Western Bulldogs revealed their seventh Pride guernsey last week, ahead of Saturday’s Pride Round match against North Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval.
The game recognises and supports the LGBTIQA+ community by celebrating inclusiveness and gender diversity, and welcoming all people, no matter their sexual orientation.
Since its inception in 2018, the Bulldogs and Blues celebrated a Pride game every season – with St Kilda and Melbourne joining in 2020 – before it was extended to a league-wide Pride Round in 2021.
Pride guernseys from the past
2018: Western Bulldogs 12.14 (86) def. Carlton 2.1 (13)
Guernsey designed in collaboration with Cotton On, Bulldog Pride and AFLW playing group
The famous hoops of the club’s guernsey were transformed into the colours of the rainbow flag – a symbol synonymous with the LGBTIQA+ community.
2019: Western Bulldogs 5.8 (38) def. by Carlton 6.5 (41)
Guernsey designed by Natalie Gills
The rainbow beams of pride that emerged out from the Bulldogs’ hoops represented the strength and solidarity of the Club, and its dedication to diversity and inclusion.
2020: Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30) def. by Carlton 8.3 (51)
Guernsey designed by Natalie Gills
The 2020 featured the Bulldogs hoops in the Pride rainbow, which grew out into a series of shapes and paths - symbolised the strong, interconnected links between the club’s diverse culture and the LGBTIQA+ community.
2021: Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42) def. Carlton 5.6 (36)
Guernsey designed by Natalie Gills in collaboration with Bulldog Pride
The 2021 guernsey design featured the integration of all the different LGBTIQA+ flag colour representations in the form of the Bulldogs hoops. In the top panel, the progress pride flag stood as a proud statement of the Club’s commitment to inclusion and progression.
2022 (S6): Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30) def. Richmond 1.7 (13)
Guernsey designed by Natalie Gills
The Bulldogs’ season six Pride jumper highlighted the progress pride flag, intertwined with the famous red, white and blue colours in place of the traditional hoops as a display of the Club’s commitment to supporting diversity, inclusion and progression.
2022 (S7): Western Bulldogs 4.11 (35) def. St Kilda 3.2 (20)
Guernsey designed by AFLW playing group in consultation with Bulldog Pride
The Bulldogs’ last Pride guernsey reflects the transgender flag, with the traditional red, white and blue hoops swapped out for pastel blue, white and pink. The rainbow progress pride flag is also featured across the top back panel of the guernsey.
2023: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Saturday 4 November, 1.05pm AEDT @ VU Whitten Oval
Guernsey designed by AFLW playing group in consultation with Bulldog Pride
Following the positive reception last season, the Bulldogs have opted to again wear the transgender flag-inspired guernsey with two minor additions. A rainbow progress pride heart has been added to the front, while the playing numbers are outlined in rainbow.
