Today feels like Winter, so what better Smurf to talk about than Australian Rules Football Smurf #20150. This Smurf shows the importance of the skill of taking a ‘mark’. With both arms outstretched in front of him and his body behind the ball.
The Australian Rules Footballer Smurf is wearing a navy blue top with the letter V on the front, with white shorts and navy blue socks. Exclusively released only in Australia and only sold for two years, 1980 to 1982. The colours used represented the Victorian Football League in a football carnival carnival known as the State of Origin. The V on the front of the top stands for Victoria. In addition there are no markings on the Smurf only underneath the grass pattern base.
Best of all this Smurf reminds me most of my childhood. I still have one from my childhood without a base. Being an exclusively made for Australia, probably Victoria, Australian Rules Footballer is easy to find locally. However not so easy if you live in Europe or America. However, most are not in mint condition because they were ppoular with the kids.
Red top version
In 1983 Wallace Berrie released their version calling this Touch Football. Wearing a red top with the number 7 hand painted on the back of his top and white shorts. The football is a dark brown colour with white lines representing the stiching on the ball. Finally the Australian Rules Footballer with the red top was never sold in Australia.
Typically the Wallace Berrie version will have markings on the figurine and the base. It is also painted in darker paint colours compared to the navy blue top version. It was never sold with a smooth oval green base, always grass pattern base.
Most importantly, for local collectors the red top isn’t representing the South Australian team. The South Australian State of Origin team whs a red top with a yellow and blue V on the chest with navy blue shorts. I first thought it was representing the ‘crow eaters’ South Australia but I was wrong.
Keep on Smurfin
Kath B