Brendon Goddard is set to play his 300th AFL game this Saturday night when the Bombers take on the Giants at Spotless Stadium.
He will become the 80th player in VFL/AFL history to reach the 300 game milestone and to celebrate the momentous occasion has collaborated with Essendon’s Official Headwear Partner, New Era, by designing two limited edition caps.
As a prolific caps collector, the opportunity to design his own seemed a natural fit for Goddard.
“I’ve probably got over 100 caps at home, but to have one personally designed to commemorate my milestone is really special,” Goddard said.
“It’s one a kind and I’m really proud of the final product. I really enjoyed the design process with New Era, as it’s not obviously something I would usually have the privilege to be involved in.
Goddard was recruited to the St Kilda Football Club as the number one draft pick in the 2002 AFL National Draft and made his debut with the Saints in Round 4 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium in 2003. He played 205 games in the red, white and black before making the switch to the Bombers in 2012.
“It was really important for me to honour both the Saints and the Bombers in the final design of the caps. I wanted to reflect and pay homage to the faith both Clubs and supporters have showed in me to establish and continue my career both on and off the field.”
New Era General Manager, Simon Hibbs, said New Era was delighted to deliver such a unique product.
“It has been a wonderful experience for our brand to collaborate with Brendon and the Essendon Football Club to help celebrate such an exceptional milestone,” Hibbs said.
“The design process was seamless as Brendon was clear about what he liked and what he wanted to see in all elements of the caps.
“We are really excited to see Brendon’s vision become a reality through this opportunity and it was an honour to be part of such an iconic moment in not only Brendon’s career but also the Essendon Football Club’s history.”
The process took almost three months to bring the vision to life from initial sketches to samples and adjustments to approvals following a number of meetings at New Era’s design lab in South Melbourne between Goddard and New Era’s Product Manager and Designer, Will Ryan.
The 9FORTY® Cloth Strap cap is a premium product featuring an all-black suede crown, curved visor, miniature flat embroidered metallic gold Essendon Bomber plane and gold buckle strap. The side panels are detailed with a list of Goddard’s achievements, including Bombers Captain in 2016, 2013 Crichton Medalist, All-Australian honours and number one draft pick. While the inside features leather paneling, the number of games Goddard played for each Club and a custom St Kilda-inspired sweatband in red, white and black.
The 9FIFTY® Original Fit Snapback takes the more traditional approach on a casual cap. Featuring a black crown and black suede visor & button, the front two panels are detailed with a heritage Essendon logo personalized with Goddard’s milestone while the side panels feature the same list of career achievements and Goddard’s playing number ‘09’ is stitched in on the rear in the Bombers’ traditional red.
Goddard is using the caps to raise money for Will Murray, a teenager who became a quadriplegic last year.
To help raise money for Will’s foundation, Goddard, in partnership with Essendon’s Official Headwear Partner, New Era, is auctioning ten limited edition commemorative hats.
All proceeds go to Will’s foundation.
