Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights | Canterbury Bulldogs’ merchandise shortage amid popularity surge

Try buying a home jersey at Peter Wynn Score, Rebel, the club or any of the online shops – it’s almost impossible.

“Their success has caught everyone off guard,” says Peter Wynn, who is scrambling to get more jumpers before the finals from Classic Sportswear.

After eight long years of not playing finals football, no one anticipated such a surge up the premiership ladder and demand for jerseys, scarfs, caps and everything else.

Clubs always order carefully at the beginning of the year because they are wary of being left with the heavy costs of unused stock.

Most predicted there would be improvement under Cameron Ciraldo this year but not to the extent where they are a chance of making the top four.

“We’ve smashed all our sales records,” says CEO Aaron Warburton, “The numbers have been ridiculous. There’s nothing more profitable in rugby league than winning footy games.

“Anything blue and white we’re selling.

“Unfortunately, it’s very hard to get extra stock at this time of the year.

“We could put out a distress call for more but there’s no guarantees.

“It takes months. The global manufacturing trade is as slow as I’ve seen it.”

The Bulldogs did have 800 new retro jerseys arrive in time for yesterday’s game at Belmore.

They have already sold more heritage jerseys this year than the combined number of sales for home and away, retro and indigenous jumper in all of 2023.

Club legend Paul Langmack says he’s feeling for the fans.

“It’s actually sad,” he said, “Everyone wants to go to the footy and cheer for their team wearing the club colours.

“I guess no one saw this coming.

“You can’t over order at the start of the year and then get left with thousands of jerseys.

“I’m just hoping the manufacturers can turn it around in time for the finals.”

HIGHLIGHT

Rugby league needs the big stadiums like Accor, Suncorp and Allianz. But you cannot beat the theatre and atmosphere from suburban ground footy. Leichhardt on Thursday night, a Belmore sellout on a Sunday afternoon and another full house next weekend for the Bulldogs v Dragons blockbuster at Kogarah.

LOWLIGHT

A year ago he was Dally M halfback of the year and pipped on the post by Kalyn Ponga for the player of the year. Now there is a question mark over the future of Warriors No.7 Shaun Johnson. After 14 years and 265 games he is struggling as the chief playmaker at the club.

SPOTTED

Former referee Gavin Badger working for the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday night in the coaching box alongside Ben Hornby while his wife Kasey was in charge of the bunker.

SPOTTED

Aussies in Paris at the Olympics can watch NRL games live on the beIN Sports network. They even have their own commentators calling the games in French off the Australian feed. It rates nothing like the soccer or rugby union but it has been hugely popular during the Olympics.

SHOOSH

We’re hearing there will be major changes during the off-season at the NRL around refereeing and the bunker after another year of inconsistency and controversy. Refs boss Jared Maxwell and a few of his colleagues are under pressure to keep their jobs.

SHOOSH

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360 VIEW

Catch you tonight at 6.30pm on NRL 360 on Fox League with Braith Anasta, Gorden Tallis and James Hooper to discuss all the major issues from the weekend round.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights | Canterbury Bulldogs’ merchandise shortage amid popularity surge