Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has taken aim at Collingwood for denying their request for the Power to wear the prison bars jumpers in the upcoming Showdown against Adelaide.
Speaking on FIVEaa Breakfast on Monday, Koch believes it's "disrespectful" to Port Adelaide, its fans and its history, as the Power won't be given permission to wear their heritage guernsey.
“It is really disappointing. I think a bit disrespectful to our history and disrespectful to our members as well,” Koch said.
"Two weeks ago the Collingwood president Jeff Browne rang me out of the blue and said, 'Kochie mate, we’re taking your request really seriously, we understand how important it is to your members.'
"'I’ve been canvassing opinions in Melbourne and SA and I’m putting it to my board and I don’t want to get your hopes up but I’m quietly confident we could have good news for you.'
"I’m fuming because we have done the right thing, just quietly gone about it, and I can’t help feel that good nature has been played.
DEVELOPING: Just in time for the Power’s clash with the Pies, Collingwood is set to block Port Adelaide’s bid to wear the prison bars guernsey in the round 23 Showdown. Last year, @pafc celebrated a Showdown victory by putting on its heritage jumper in the changerooms. #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/nHwkgxO30U
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) July 29, 2022
Koch's response followed the confirmation from Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson that Port Adelaide have not been given permission to wear the jumper.
The decision to deny the Power's request was to uphold an agreement signed on the eve of Port Adelaide's 150th anniversary in 2020, when Ken Hinkley's men were granted permission to wear the heritage guernsey.
“We reached an agreement a number of seasons ago. Port came to us with a request of wearing their traditional jumper in their 150th-year celebration," Anderson said on SEN's Crunch Time.
"We reached an agreement at that stage where it would be a one-off and it wouldn’t occur again, so our position’s been consistent throughout.
“While it’s become a discussion every year and every season, which is a little frustrating… the agreement that we did reach together and signed by both clubs was a one-off."
Port Adelaide have been warned by the AFL that they could lose premiership points if they were to don the prison bar guernsey without permission.
