Josh Blakey joins Mason on the podcast to talk about the 2026 NRL and AFL Draw releases.

With some exciting life changes, Josh asks Mason about being a dad and how he manages his creative output and parenthood.

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Natasha Fordham is the Senior Graphic Designer and Marketing Coordinator at the NRL's most successful club of the modern era; the Penrith Panthers.

This episode was recorded in October 2024, just off the back of the Panthers 5th consecutive grand final and 4th consecutive Premiership.

*The recording had some audio issues and needed some repair. And while we could not completely salvage the file and present the episode to an audio standard we would prefer, Natasha's story and experiences are too valuable for us not to share*

A Penrith local and Panthers fan, Natasha practically manifested her position at the club. Starting during the time legendary rugby league figure Gus Gould was Executive GM of Football and laying the foundations of impending astronomical success, Natasha journeyed through the a creative stabilisation at the club. While the on field team built a modern day dynasty, the creative team were pulling back the layers of multiple visual identities and rebooting the brand of the Panthers.

In our episode we discuss the life of design during the success of the club, the process of decking out facilities on game day. We talk about connection; connecting with community and connecting with players and the importance of bridging them together through design. Natasha shares on the teams affection with pop culture (like the internal Top Gun theme in the 2021 Finals) and what role it has played on storytelling at the club.

We talk kits and the bold decision by staff to use thirds and alternate jerseys in finals campaigns instead of the traditional home/away and we ask Natasha whats the official origin of the "licorice all sorts" colour combination.

You can connect with Natasha at: @Tash_graphicdesign

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"I brought a different perspective. I wasn’t that typical fan girl who knew everything and loved everything about the sport, it was almost from an actual design perspective that I designed, not from a football perspective, so that’s what differentiates my style overall."

Humble, Hungry & Smart. These are the three virtues identified in Patrick Lencioni's book The Ideal Team Player. The book's primary focus is on building a strong team of individuals who demonstrate the attributes; Humble, Hungry, Smart.

During our conversation with Vittoria Anzelmi I couldn't help but return to the book's themes and consider how highly she performs with these virtues. Like a lot of of creative professionals, the proud Italian showed talent in early childhood with life size portraits in led pencil. Vittoria navigated school and creative tertiary education before working in print until the age of 27 where she was the first full time graphic designer at AFL club Carlton.

After thriving through the growth of the social media boom for clubland and the launch of the AFL's Women's game, Carlton's Senior Designer found a new opportunity at A-League's Melbourne Victory and while the Pantone was the same (296c) there was a lot that was very different.

We explore a lot during Vittoria's time at Melbourne Victory including some key design moments for the club. By 2024 restructures across the league meant a change of scenery where Vittoria has now landed a creative role with Tennis Australia. Still blue but at least not 296c.

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Humble

It's being self confident but not arrogant. In our chat we talk about #SerifClub; the term contrived internally when Vittoria and the MVFC team began using serif fonts in their collateral and watched as other Australian clubs followed suit. And while setting the trend locally, doesn't take a step without crediting their own European inspirations. We also dive into how she took on Victory's uniform designs. Simplifying elements, introducing a pink strip and a kit without the clubs' iconic chevron. All to a commercial success.

Hungry

The inherent desire to learn and grow as a creative just oozes from Vittoria. There is no clearer sign of a relentless desire for more than to devote your own personal time and money to the cause.

Personal trips to Europe mean investing some days to pop over and visit Macron, Hellas Verona, Genoa CFC, Juventus and Inter Milan. Connect with the teams, network, take a tour and watch the creatives in action. Or reaching out to MLS designers in the US and collaborating on some artwork to see how others work learning new ways to design and operate.

Smart

The fine balance of getting the job done and connecting with people in the best way. Like when Vittoria identified that "the wrong people were in the room" when making important decisions that were effecting the brand and navigating her way through this, becoming a voice in that room to advocate her design opinions, getting them across the line.

It's these qualities that have driven Vittoria to the personal and professional successes she has achieved to date and undoubtedly the passion will continue to reward in unexpected ways or places.

While we dive into all the details above, we also cover the day to day duties of a club creative, the importance of mentors and networking. We explore where Vittoria's inspirations come from and the advice she passes onto those wanting to get into the industry.

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