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The History of the AFL’s Sherrin Football

Will Brown by Will Brown, June 25, 2025

AFL Sherrin football

Developed alongside the rules of Aussie rules football, the Sherrin football has long been the official ball of the AFL. Manufactured in the sport’s hometown of Melbourne, the Sherrin is one of Australia’s most recognizable sporting items, being used by players of all ages for over a century. Here, we’ve looked at how the AFL ball has evolved under the Sherrin company, how it’s made, and why it remains such a beloved icon for Australian sports fans.

Is Sherrin the Official AFL Ball Brand?

Considered to be the inventor of the first official AFL ball, Sherrin has been the official supplier of AFL balls for decades. But what about before Sherrin’s invention? To get started, we’ve looked at the origin of the AFL ball and its gradual evolution under the Sherrin brand.

We’ve then looked at the manufacturing of Sherrin balls, dissecting the differences between consumer-level productions and official balls. To round out this guide, we’ve explored topics such as the science of AFL balls and any future changes to their design.

The Origins of the AFL Ball

The Australian Football League (AFL) ball’s origin dates back to the game’s invention in 1858, when members of the Melbourne Cricket Club developed a winter sport alternative to cricket. The inventors set out to create a game that was uniquely Australian, eschewing other international sporting codes such as soccer and rugby.

Although in its early days the game was played with a rugby ball and other primitive alternatives, it wasn’t until 1879 that a distinctive ball was constructed for Aussie rules football. This saw numerous clubs experiment with different-shaped balls that could withstand bounces on the hard Australian soil and with enough grip for long-distance catches.

When a manufacturer of horse saddles and other leather equipment, Tom William Sherrin, was tasked with repairing rugby balls used at his small football club, he got an idea. Sherrin created a new shape from the ball to make it oval-shaped with pointier ends.

This would make it easier to handle, cleaner to bounce, and more aerodynamic for long-distance kicks. Sherrin opened a factory in the suburb of Collingwood under T.W. Sherrin Pty Ltd to meet the growing demand for the ball. Within years, the Sherrin football would become the official ball of local leagues across Australia.

The Evolution of the Sherrin Brand

The company’s breakthrough came in 1897, when Sherrin secured a contract to supply footballs for the Victorian Football League (VFL), the precursor of the AFL. As Australia’s most prestigious football league, the partnership created a symbiotic relationship that propelled both organizations. The Sherrin ball was embraced for its quality, consistency, superiority, and durability, becoming a favorite among players.

Soon, the Sherrin factory wasn’t just producing the balls. The company began to pioneer manufacturing processes that would enhance leather tanning for Australian conditions. Improved stitching techniques reduced the ball’s water absorption, while innovations with rubber bladders helped the balls to maintain shape and air pressure.

When Tom Sherrin died in 1912, it was continued by his nephew John Sydney “Syd” Sherrin. Under Syd, Sherrin refined the ball’s proportions to create a precise oval shape. In addition to the distinct Sherrin logo marked onto the leather, official game-quality balls also became recognizable for their Kangaroo logos.

After the first AFL games were broadcast in the 1950s, the Sherrin ball increased its recognition from the state of Victoria to the rest of Australia. By the 1960s, it became the unofficial national standard for Australian rules football and was sought after by interstate leagues due to its handcrafted quality and premium materials.

In 1972, Sherrin was sold to an Australian subsidiary of Spalding. When the VFL was renamed to the AFL in 1989, Sherrin was cemented as the official AFL ball brand, where it remains today. Spalding Australia was later sold in 2003 to the Russell Corporation, an Australian sports goods company, with production moved to the Melbourne suburb of Keysborough.

Today, the balls kicked in games wagered on at Australian rules betting sites are always Sherrins, which retain the same high manufacturing standards guaranteed for over 140 years. Under the company, more money has been invested into research and development, with bright yellow balls introduced for night matches to improve visibility.

How Are Sherrin Balls Made

The manufacturing process of the Sherrin football depends on the grade of ball being purchased. The official AFL game ball and training balls are manufactured at the Melbourne factory, while recreational balls are manufactured in international factories. For this article, we’ll focus on the official game balls.

Firstly, premium Australian cowhide undergoes a proprietary conditioning and tanning process to enhance its grip and durability. After being dyed yellow or red, four leather panels are cut from the leather. The panels are then stamped or screen printed with the Sherrin logo. After the printing and drying process, the seams are flattened to ensure the ball is smooth.

The ball is then hammered into shape before being hand-stitched together. It takes roughly 45 minutes for the hand-stitching process, with waxed thread used for added strength. A latex bladder is then inserted into the panels, and laces are inserted. The ball is then inflated to roughly 10 psi. This process has changed little since 1900.

The Science and Stats of AFL Balls

The Sherrin official AFL game ball is renowned for its distinct aerodynamic design. Its elongated shape and even weight distribution ensure accurate flight over long distances and tight spiral kicks. The shape also helps it to maintain stability through gyroscopic effects that allow kicks to travel for more than 65 yards.

Its leather surface is key to optimal grip throughout the varying weather conditions across the Australian continent, improving handling, bouncing, and marking. The latex bladder offers reliable air retention and consistent rebounds, which are essential for accurate handballing and bouncing. While the ball is vulnerable to different wind patterns, skilled players can control the ball to alter its curve.

The regulations of Aussie rules football require balls to weigh between 16 and 17 ounces, with a circumference of 21.5 to 22 inches around the short axis and 28.3 to 28.7 inches around the long axis. Game balls are routinely tested to ensure they can perform under the correct temperatures, humidities, and playing surfaces of different stadium turfs.

Differences in Pro vs Consumer Balls

Unlike NFL balls, official Game balls from Sherrin are available for public purchase. These are created using the same manufacturing processes as described above and are made in sizes to suit adult men and women. It’s also possible to buy training balls that are made at the Melbourne Sherrin factory.

However, Sherrin also sells entry-level balls for recreational purposes. These come in 5 sizes to suit varying age groups. Lower quality materials are used to manufacture these balls, which are available at a fraction of the price of game balls. This includes imported leather, PVC, and synthetic rubbers.

It is unclear whether recreational balls are made in Australia or overseas. However, Sherrin was once rocked by a scandal that uncovered that its recreational balls were being made by children in India. In response, Sherrin discontinued the contract, and it’s believed most of its products are now made in Australia.

The Future of the Sherrin Ball

Even though the AFL ball brand remains committed to its traditional design and construction, Sherrin has been toying with new designs and technologies. In 2024, the AFL began conducting testing of a new smart-ball technology, which sees electronic sensors placed in the bladder to determine its exact location on the field.

The sensors will also be able to gauge how far the ball has travelled, its speed, and spin rates. While the results have yet to be released, the technology could enhance performance data insights for teams as well as interesting information for viewers and bettors. The technology is already widely used in US sports leagues and international soccer.

It is believed that the sensors could be introduced in the men’s season by 2026 after balls in the women’s AFL league were fitted with the technology for the 2024 season. This would mark a new era of the Sherrin ball that would bring it into the 21st century.

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