Essendon managing director, Peter Jackson, said that while a compromise has been reached with the AFL, he is disappointed the Bombers could not wear a yellow armband.
""The yellow armband created so much discussion and support last season from football fans across the country - it has become the very essence of the Call to Arms campaign so we would have preferred to wear it again,"" Mr Jackson said.
""After being knocked back on the request to wear a yellow armband this year we decided to ask that we be allowed to incorporate the yellow armband into our guernsey to raise awareness for the campaign and the fight against cancer. The AFL has agreed to this.
""We want to move on now and concentrate on getting as many clubs and people involved in the Call to Arms campaign at a grass roots level as possible.""
Mr Jackson said that under the club's constitution it could not wear a yellow guernsey as was suggested by some.
""It was a nonsense to suggest we should,"" he said.
""What we have done is make a very minor change to the guernsey with major implications and I am sure the vast majority of Essendon fans would support this slight change given the cause and the fight Adam Ramanauskas has had to get back to playing football. After all, this is why the armbands were worn in the first place.
""Importantly, the jumpers will be auctioned to raise funds for the Call to Arms campaign with all money to go to Cancer Council of Victoria.""
Call to Arms takes place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 June, the weekend prior to Clash For Cancer - a special AFL Call to Arms game between Essendon and Melbourne at The Dome, on Friday 29 June. Any clubs wishing to register for Call to Arms can visit
www.calltoarms.com.auor call 1300 65 65 85.
