CARLTON is seething after a proposal to depict coach Mick Malthouse as Darth Vader on a T-shirt was distributed to AFL clubs.

The design rakes over the coals of Malthouse’s bitter departure from Collingwood and his relationship with his successor at the Magpies, Nathan Buckley.

The provocative image, sent to club merchandise departments last week, has Malthouse/Vader saying: “Nathan, I am your father.”

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The AFL confirmed its licensing department had been involved in the process that led to the designs being sent around the league.

The illustration was part of a range of “Ultimate Rivalry” designs to promote the club’s Round 7 blockbuster clash with Collingwood at the MCG on May 2.

The theme ties in with “International Star Wars Day” on May 4 — “May the fourth be with you” is the day’s catchcry.

Carlton was privately furious that the Malthouse/Buckley T-shirt had advanced to this stage without being quashed.

News_Image_File: Macca cartoon.

The Blues were adamant the T-shirt would not be produced.

Collingwood was nonplussed by the initiative.

“I’m absolutely stumped for something to say for the first time ever,” Collingwood president Eddie McGuire told the Herald Sun.

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Collingwood issued a further statement: “It is our understanding that a preliminary marketing proposal has been put that, as Collingwood sees it, has nothing to do with the authentic and deep-rooted rivalries that exist in the game.

“Collingwood welcomes innovation but not innovation that cheapens or diminishes the rich histories of the clubs in the competition. We await more detail.”

Playcorp, an AFL-licensed supporter apparel supplier, is behind the Star Wars T-shirt concept.

The company, linked to the family of retailing magnate Solomon Lew, did not respond to a request for comment

News_Image_File: The Star Wars AFL T-shirts designed.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league had been in preliminary discussions with Disney, which controls the Star Wars empire, and Playcorp about the production of licensed Star Wars merchandise for Round 7.

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“A number of design concepts for T-shirts and clothing have been presented to us, including the one you mention, but none of them have been shown to players (or) coaching staff as we are yet to reach any agreement on what we may proceed with, if an agreement is reached,” Keane said.

“I would expect that playing and coaching staff would have no knowledge of it.

“The process would be for us to decide to proceed with an agreement and then get clubs on board who wish to be part of it, and then getting agreement of any individuals within that.”

The range also includes designs featuring Yoda, Stormtroopers and Chewbacca in club colours.

The T-shirt drama follows the AFL’s backflip last week on its approval to allow Adelaide to wear the South Australian guernsey in its Round 2 grudge match against Port Adelaide.

Follow Gilbert Gardiner on Twitter @GilbertGardiner