From the game's beginnings in the 1850s, Australian Rules footballers ran around the sporting field dressed in woollen jumpers — until wool became too expensive in the 1980s, and cheaper acrylic jumpers took over.

But a few years ago, Australian Wool Innovations — a woolgrower-funded company that undertakes research, development and marketing for the wool industry — came up with an idea to replicate old style woollen football jumpers.

Dean Grimster, from Melbourne-based company Play Corp, had noted the resurgence in retro-style sporting wear, especially in America.

Trevor Mibus grows fine Merino wool similar to that used in sport wool. ( ABC News: Tim Lee )

He thought there was a commercial opportunity that would appeal to a sector of the estimated 8 million AFL fans across the country — but he was initially sceptical retro-wear made of wool would succeed.

Would fans baulk at an exact replica jumper of fine Merino when it cost around $200?

Far from it.

Soon the Fibre of Football campaign had extended to scarves and beanies — all in fine Merino and all made in Melbourne.

Stars of the game take on ambassador roles

The campaign approached two of the big-name stars of the AFL, Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Fremantle's Nat Fyffe, and asked them to act as ambassadors.

Both players came from woolgrowing properties and had industry connections — and both readily agreed.

"We were then exposed to a whole different customer, and a whole different customer being the woolgrowers, and their passion for seeing their product put into something made in Melbourne and Australian sport — Australia's national competition," Mr Grimster said.

"We couldn't believe, all of a sudden, people wanted to talk about this."

Richmond apparel, like this woollen scarf, has been in high demand this year. ( ABC News: Tim Lee )

Other high-profile AFL stars, including Hawthorn's Luke Breust and Melbourne's Bernie Vince also happily took on promotional roles.

"The fact that Bernie Vince's dad is a shearer — there's a whole lot of people who came out of the woodwork and once we started to research this we realised what a potential it was for the business," Mr Grimster said.

The AFL-licensed Merino apparel now covers all AFL clubs and the manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with demand.

Wool back onto the field thanks to local teams

But woolgrowers were also keen to get their local football team back into wool.

In 2015, Trevor Mibus, a fine wool grower from Dunkeld in Western Victoria, did just that.

A stalwart of the Penshurst Bombers, he had a sponsor buy the seniors team woollen jumpers with the club's distinctive black and red hoops.

The jumpers, designed for the rough and tumble of physical combat, differ from the retro-style ones.

A local woolgrower sponsors woollen jumpers for the Penshurst Bombers. ( ABC News: Tim Lee )

They utilise a process known as sublimation, where the jumper's outer shell is a tough synthetic and the inner layer, against the skin, is a finely woven Merino fabric.

Another club, nearby Coleraine, also has its players happily running around in wool.

And from next year, Hugh Lyon Knitwear will be ready to supply not just football jumpers, but a whole gamut of sporting wear, Kane McIntyre from the company said.

"We see it as a really positive step for Australian woolgrowers because the applications for these products and this technology covers so many sports," Mr McIntyre said.

"There's so many innovative ways to use this product to create sports apparel. It's really exciting."

Footy finals bring surge in sales — especially for Richmond

Mr Mibus shares that optimism.

He said if wool could be incorporated into everyday leisure wear and sportswear it would be a boon for the wool industry.

Meanwhile, the knitting looms are busy at Melbourne manufacturer LML, which makes the AFL-licensed Merino beanie and scarf products.

Anthony Mananov has been flat out making woollen wear for the finals. ( ABC News: Tim Lee )

With footy finals here, there has been a big surge in apparel sales.

Richmond's long-awaited returned to playing in the finals has caught a few apparel makers off guard — but that oversight is a bonus for local manufacturing.

"Richmond have made the finals for the first time for quite some time and all these merch companies that have the licence for AFL didn't factor that in," Anthony Manonov said.

"Now there's a scramble to get as much product as they can locally, so it's a pretty good position for us to be in because we're making the stuff right here in Brunswick."

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