Port Adelaide sends message to AFL, Collingwood by singing song in ‘prison bar’ guernsey

Steve Orme

Port Adelaide sends message to AFL, Collingwood by singing song in ‘prison bar’ guernsey image

They recorded a resounding 49-point win over the Adelaide Crows in Saturday’s Showdown and Port Adelaide also scored a moral victory in their war against the AFL and Collingwood during their post-match celebration.

The Power requested to wear their ‘prison bar’ guernsey for the Round 8 clash against the Crows but were denied by the AFL.

A public war of words between Port Adelaide president David Koch and ex-Collingwood president Eddie McGuire followed.

Prior to Saturday’s clash at the Adelaide Oval Koch vowed to continue the fight for the Power to wear their heritage strip, which bears a strong resemblance to Collingwood’s black-and-white stripes.

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The Power ultimately abided by the AFL’s ruling and wore their teal, white and black jersey against the Crows.

But in a defiant gesture, they switched into the ‘prison bar’ guernseys before singing the song on Saturday night.

“No, it’s a show of respect for our heritage, for our past and for our great people that played in it, for our fans that turn up and represent this footy club,” coach Ken Hinkley said when asked if the guernsey switch was a signal to the AFL.

“We started and began as Port Adelaide and we still are, and part of that journey is this amazing jumper which the boys love and the club loves and every one of the people who support this footy club love it.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the fact that we had to wait until the end of the game but we’ll recognise it as often as we have to.”

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak, who joined Hinkley at the post-match media conference in the controversial jumper, added: “This guernsey means so much to our community, to our footy club, to everyone who represents it, everyone who’s played in it, and everyone who’s been around the club and certainly the players as well.

“To sing the song in this guernsey is special and we were able to do that tonight and that was planned, that if we came off winning we’d sing it in this guernsey and show our fans that it means just as much to the players as it does to the community.”

 

Steve Orme

Steve Orme Photo