Fremantle denies cartoonist's claims over AFL poster designs

A dispute has emerged regarding the design of the annual AFL premiership posters. News Corp cartoonist Mark Knight claimed that both the Fremantle Dockers and the Brisbane Lions requested specific changes to his illustrations.

Knight alleged that Fremantle rejected a design featuring a “big, beautiful wharfie Docker with his anchor,” claiming the club felt the imagery was too aggressive and did not align with a new direction that avoids “uber-masculinity.” Knight also stated that Brisbane requested a modification to a lion illustration because the positioning of the fingers resembled a protest salute from the film ‘The Hunger Games.’

Fremantle president Chris Sutherland has denied these claims, stating that the club did not ask to “de-wharfie” the poster or express concerns regarding masculinity.