CARLTON will wear grey shorts for all away games in 2018 — and AFL on-lookers aren’t too happy about it.

The club debuted its new-look all-grey away strip during the JLT Community Series — to much public debate — then donned all grey shorts with the traditional navy blue jumper for the first time in Thursday night’s season-opening clash against Richmond at the MCG.

“They’ve kept those horrible shorts. They look dirty don’t they?” legendary Hawthorn goalkicker Jason Dunstall told Fox Footy pre-game.

“They’ve got patches on the back you wipe your hands on — it’s bizarre. Why wouldn’t you go the traditional white shorts?”

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Melbourne great Garry Lyon added: “It looks like the washing machine has broken down. They look grubby.”

And the Blues will continue to wear the same grey shorts for all away games, as the club’s kit sponsor Nike decided on the look as a creative design element for the year ahead.

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Matthew Kennedy of the Blues. Source: AAP

It means the club will no longer wear white shorts with its regular jumper for games where there is not a kit clash.

The Blues are the only club in the AFL sponsored by Nike, with all other sides expected to continue to wearing traditional white shorts for away games.

Everyone from rival players to former coaches had their say.

What the heck is on the back of the Carlton shorts? Vents for their bum cheeks? #wtfmate #AFLTigersBlues — Mason Cox (@masonsixtencox) March 22, 2018

What’s going on with Carlton’s shorts? Grey? — Rodney Eade (@facingchange26) March 22, 2018

Did all the Carlton white shorts get mixed with the jumpers in the wash @MarkHoward03 ? — Jack Perkins (@jack_perkins) March 22, 2018

Who put the blue shirt in the wash with Carlton's white shorts!!! #shocking — Tim Ludeman (@tludey) March 22, 2018