Australias worst Mascot

Naming Australias worst mascot.
Initially one might consider this an easy task yet the plethorea of candidates could make for a very tough decision.
To help out we've compiled a list that you may like to peruse for inspration but please feel free to nominate your own candidates for this prestigious title.
Results published next week after a completely biased reveiw of responses.
1. AFL Freemantle Dockers(pictured right)

Yes it's Johnny 'the Doc' Docker with his stragly blonde hair and surfboard attatched who could resist cringing at his presence alongside elite sportsmen and creepily close to young children

Likes: Cheering crowds and the smell of surf wax.
Dislikes: The mob up the road in Perth and the other old fart mascots.

Enough said.

2. Soccer Syd and Sydnee of Sydney F.C.

These two have featured previously in this blog and we feel that

they cannot be overlooked in this catagory. Not only has the marketing focus strayed from the animal world into a strange humanly animated type region but they have created mascots that look as though they are giving an offensive hand gesture.

3.NRL Sparky the Eel Parramatta

Wow!! Wethink it is the lack of costume bulk that then leads to a grossly enlarged head that most disturbs us about old sparky here. The facial expression that reminds us of the velociraptor from jurassic park is sure to have the kiddies in tears of terror. Good work Parra!

It's Alive.

The West Coast Eagles have had their share of controversy throughout the year. It could be assumed that the club would attempt to (pardon the pun) fly below the radar on any issue that may even slightly raise the public eyebrow. Yet a casual peruse of the clubs website proudlydisplays the one -exhibit zoo that takes place at each home game.

Auzzie the Eagle (pictured) has been a fixture at subiaco home games for the past 2 seasons. With his trainer from the Western Australian Birds of Prey Centre(WABOPC) Auzzies role is the same as any other mascots. Flying high over the stadium to hype up the crowd. Auzzie has his own profile on the website and apparently his hobbies include "flying high and kicking the footy" The website then tells us that "Auzzie is well-trained, accustomed to people and genuinely enjoys his fortnightly football outings.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=kJJznYFl210

Last year People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were vocal opponents to Americas Louisiana State University football teams attempts to replaces its sadly deceased live tiger mascot. Like the Eagles Louisiana describes the positive effects of a live mascot. As it can be used to deliver a stong conservation message. Yet with a prepared performance a thin grey line does exist between zoo and circus.

PETA lists Perth as a location where it is prohibited to use wild or exotic animals for performance acts.

What do you think is there a place for live animal mascots in Australia? If so how will West Coasts local rival compete. Do the Dockers need a wharfie doing cartwheels at the local derby?

Basketball Mascots Face Uncertain Future

With the NBL facing a complete overhaul in the coming year there is much talk about the fate of players, coaches and in fact the viability of the national league all together. This weekend will see the meeting of stakeholders,other relevant parties and Australian basketball officials. The future of the competition will be decided based on the recommendations of an independent review.
Prominent speculation is that the League will follow in the footsteps of the former National Soccer League (NSL)forming something similar to its A league.

The big elephant (or man dressed in an elephant suit) in the room that all seem to be ignoring is; exactly what will happen to our basketball mascots? The Sydney Kings and the Brisbane Bullets characters were buried along with their clubs this year. That awkwardly tall kings lion and silver suited lunatic lost to the special mascot place in the sky. Can we assume this is the fate of all of our NBL mascots?




The job desription requires them to jump through flaming hoops, flip over 5 cheerleaders, bring a crowd to their feet all of this while wearing a cumbersome mascot outfit. Is the League going to leave them out in the cold? If following in the footsteps of A League does it mean that the new mascots would also be the strange human kind that Sydney FC are now using.





All we can do is hope that the marketing think tanks fill the possible mascot vaccum with some quality characters. Also if the mascots have to be the bizarre human kind please pay attention to the structure of the costumes hands, at the moment Syd and Sydnee from Sydney FC appear to be flipping the crowd the bird.


Do you have any suggestions for what is potentially a clean mascot canvas?