Everything You Need to Know About AFL Banners
- Gadget
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
Run-throughs, Milestones, and Club Spirit—Explained
AFL banners are a beloved tradition that bring passion, pride, and celebration to game day. Whether it’s a milestone match or the opening round, AFL banners are the colourful centrepiece of Aussie Rules Football.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about AFL Banners, from what they are, to how they’re made, why printed banners are becoming more popular, and how to get one for your club or milestone celebration.
🤔 What are AFL Banners?
AFL Banners—also called a run-through banners or milestone banners—are a large visual display banner held up by poles that players run through and tear in pieces as they enter the field.
Typically seen at junior, amateur, and professional AFL games
Used to celebrate player milestones (e.g. 50th, 100th, 200th games)
Often include a club logo, personalised message, and big bold graphics
Held up by family, friends, or team mates before kick-off
❓ Why Are AFL Banners Important?
They’re more than just decoration. They represent club culture and pride.
Celebrate achievements – Key milestones for individual players or teams
Boost morale – Energises players and supporters before the bounce
Build community – Made by club families or purchased by the footy club, players’ families and/or supporters
Tradition – A fun, heartfelt part of Aussie footy culture
🔨 What Are AFL Banners Made Of?
Traditionally, banners are made by hand using crepe paper and tape. But many clubs are switching to printed alternatives. Here's a comparison:
Crepe Paper Banners
Cheap materials (crepe paper, masking tape, poles)
Labour-intensive to build
Can fall apart too soon in wet or windy weather
Often a one-time use
Susceptible to sagging or tearing
Printed AFL Banners
Professionally designed and printed on high-quality poster paper
Weather-resistant (perfect for winter footy or for use in the rain)
Easy to tape back together to keep as a wall banner or keepsake in the shed at home or on the bedroom wall if it's big enough!
Consistent bold and accurate team and club colours, sharp logos, and better visibility
🛍️ How Do I Order an AFL Banner?
Ordering a professional AFL banner is simple. Here’s the usual process:
Step 1: Choose your banner size and type
Choose Small, Medium, Large or Team Size (Details below)
Milestone Banner (50/100/200 games)
Use a Team Banner for big matches or grand finals or for Milestones being celebrated by 3 or more players
Dual-Player Banners can be made for 2 players with the same Game Milestone
Step 2: Provide details
Players name, guernsey number, milestone, team name, colours, slogan or message to include on the banner
Step 3: Receive a design proof
Most services (like footybanners.com) send a photo proof for approval before printing
Step 4: Print & delivery
Printed, rolled up in a tube, and sent by courier or available for pickup the same or next day.
🕒 Most companies offer same-day turnaround if ordered early!
💡 What Size Should My AFL Banner Be?
Sizes typically depend on the number of players running through and the type of game:
Small (2m wide): Perfect for juniors or smaller milestones
Medium (2.5m): Common choice for standard milestone games
Large (3m): Great for 50+ Milestones, For Teams to run through or dual-player celebrations
Team (3.5m): Great for Teams and Multiple Player Milestones
Grand Final Size (4.5m–5.5m): For big matches or club-wide events
The AFL Banner at the top of the page being run-through!
🧼 What Happens to the AFL Banner After the Game?
Great question! Many people choose to turn their banner into a keepsake:
Frame a section of the banner as wall art, cut out the logo and put it on the wall at home, or tape the whole banner back together to keep it in the shed, garage or games room
Order a smaller keepsake poster version, we at footybanners.com call them wall banners
Roll and store it in the tube it was delivered in for future memory
Add it to the clubroom memorabilia wall
🌧️ Why Printed Banners Are Better Than Crepe Paper
Footy is played in winter. That means rain, wind, and mud. Here's why printed banners are winning the day:
Don’t disintegrate in wet weather
Don’t sag or fall apart before the team runs through or photo's are taken before the game with the celebrating team
Look better in photos and videos because they're brighter and clearer
Take minutes to set up (not hours of taping, cutting and gluing)
No mess, no cutting, no gluing—just unroll and go
🔗 Read our full breakdown: “Why Printed Footy Banners Are a Game Changer” Here
🎯 When Should I Organise a Banner?
A couple of weeks before Milestone games (50th, 100th, 150th, etc.) if possible to give time to deliver the banner in a tube rather than express post at the last minute!
Player send-offs or retirements
Grand finals or big rivalry matches
Special events or fundraising rounds
First game or debut moments
You don’t need to be a pro. Junior footy clubs use AFL banners all the time to make the game special and create a fantastic team morale boost.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I customise the design myself? A: Yes! You’ll usually receive a proof image you can approve or edit before printing, we are happy to change any elements till the AFL Banner looks exactly how you want.
Q: Do I need to provide my own poles? A: Most printed banners come without poles—PVC plumbing pipe from Bunnings is perfect, you can also use Electrical Conduit, Wooden or Metal Broom Handles, Timber Poles round or square. There's many options
Q: Can you deliver Australia-wide? A: Most banner companies including ourselves offer courier delivery to anywhere in Australia within 2–3 days.
Q: What if it rains on game day? A: Printed banners hold up fine in rain. Crepe paper banners? Not so much!
🧭 Final Thoughts
AFL banners are a huge part of the footy experience—from grassroots to grand final. Whether it’s a first game or a 200th milestone, a banner turns a match into a memory.
By switching to printed banners, you’ll:
Save time
Get consistent colours and sharp graphics
Celebrate in any weather
Keep a part of the day forever
Ready to make your banner? Check out our options and get your design proof started today!
