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Port Adelaide Football Club

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This article is about the Australian Football League club. For the original South Australian National Football League club founded in 1870 and re-branded in 1997, see Port Adelaide Magpies.
Port Adelaide Football Club
Port Adelaide Football Club logo
Names
Full namePort Adelaide Football Club
Nickname(s)Power, Port
Motto"It Starts Here" The Power, The Creed, Since 1870
2009 season
Leading goalkickerWarren Tredrea (51 goals)
Best and fairestWarren Tredrea
Club details
Founded1870
Colours  Teal   Black   White   Silver
CompetitionAustralian Football League
ChairmanBrett Duncanson
CoachMark Williams
Captain(s)Domenic Cassisi
PremiershipsSANFL: 34 (1884, 1890, 1897, 1903, 1906, 1910, 1913, 1914, 1921, 1928, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996) AFL: 1 (2004)
Ground(s)AAMI Stadium (capacity: 51,515)
 Alberton Oval (capacity: 15,000)
Other information
Official websitewww.portadelaidefc.com.au
Guernsey: File:Port Adelaide Power Back in Black.gif

The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Port Adelaide, South Australia, that plays in the AFL. Port Adelaide is the oldest club in South Australa playing in the AFL and one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Since the club’s first game in 1870, it has won 34 SANFL premierships, including six in a row, and achieved the honour of being Champions of Australia on four occasions.[1][2]

From its foundation in 1870 to 1996, the club representing Port Adelaide competed in the SANFL as the "Port Adelaide Football Club". Over the years, it has had many nicknames, including: the Cockledivers, Seaside Men, Seasiders, and Magentas, before finally settling on Magpies in 1902. In 1997 The Port Adelaide Football Club joined the Australian Football League (AFL). On entry, Port Adelaide adopted a new nickname, The "Power" and added two more colours (Silver and Teal) in a requirement to differentiate itself from existing AFL club Collingwood. Since joining the AFL, Port Adelaide have added the 2004 AFL Premiership to their Premiership haul, thereby bringing the total Premierships attained by the Port Adelaide Football Club (PAFC) to 35, (1 AFL and 34 SANFL), as well as a 4 time Champion of Australia. Since 1997 Port Adelaide has also won two night Premierships (2001 & 2002) and have finished the regular AFL season as Minor Premier on 3 occasions (2002, 2003 & 2004).[citation needed] Its AFL licence is held by the SANFL.

History

Foundation years: 1870–1901

Port Adelaide's magenta uniform (c.1896)

The Port Adelaide Football Club was established on 13 May 1870 with a meeting between President John Hart Jnr, Captain John Hart, Secretary, R.W.J. Leicester and treasurer, George Ireland. R.W.J. Leicster and John Rann are acknowledged as the founders of the club.[citation needed] The club played its first match against a team called the 'Young Australians' on 24 May 1870 at Buck's Flat, a property owned by President Hart in Glanville, South Australia. Football in South Australia at this stage was rather unorganised and there were several sets of rules in use across the state.

In 1877 however, Port Adelaide joined seven other local clubs and formed the South Australian Football Association, the first organisation of its type in Australia. It competed its first few seasons wearing a rose pink outfit with white knickerbockers. The club initially enjoyed modest success, but did not win a premiership until 1884. By this time the outfit had changed to magenta with navy knickerbockers. In 1880, the club moved from Glanville Park Oval to Alberton Oval which, except for the 1975 and 1976 seasons, has been its base ever since. Port Adelaide's humble results continued until a second premiership in 1890. It was in this season that Port Adelaide was crowned 'Champions of Australia' for the first time after they defeated VFA premier, South Melbourne.

The 1890s were grim economic times for Port Adelaide's working class base and many players were forced to move interstate to find work. This transferred into poor results on the field. In 1896, with the club in crisis, the club committee met with the aim of revitalising the spirit and instilling a new sense of pride in the Port Adelaide Football Club. It had immediate results and in 1897 Port Adelaide returned to the winners list with a third premiership. Stan Malin won Port Adelaide's first Magarey Medal in 1899. Port finished bottom in a six-team competition in 1900; it has not finished bottom since.

Developing tradition: 1902–1949

Port Adelaide v Sturt, 1914 Grand Final
Port Adelaide's 1914 "Champions of Australia" team

In 1903, Port Adelaide took to the field in the famous black and white for the first time as they were having trouble finding the appropriate dye for its magenta guernseys. The club was now being referred to as 'the Magpies' and the Port Adelaide Football Club was taking a more familiar look. Something which was also becoming familiar was winning premierships with success in 1903, 1906, 1910, 1913 and 1914. Port Adelaide also added to its 'Champions of Australia' title in 1890 with victories in 1910, 1913 and 1914. From 21 June 1913 to 31 July 1915 the club was undefeated in 30 games including the 1914 season in which Port achieved the rare distinction of going through the entire season without losing a match. 1914 also saw Port hold North Adelaide to a record low Grand Final of 1.8 (14) to Port's 13.15 (93). At the end of the year the SAFA put together a combined team from all other SAFA clubs to take on the Magpies and Port won again. The SAFA competition was suspended from 1916–1918 because of World War I.

Port Adelaide's pre-war success did not continue post war and from 1919 to 1935, the club recorded only two premiership successes in 1921 and 1928. The depression of the early 1930s hit the club hard with several of its better players moving interstate to secure employment. However, by late 1930s, the economy was on the improve and so was Port Adelaide's form. They netted three premierships in four years with titles in 1936, 1937 and 1939. Just as in 1914, Port Adelaide had hit the peak of their form in the lead up to war, and, just as with World War One, the club was hit hard by players losses to World War Two. From 1942 to 1944, Port Adelaide merged with nearby West Torrens Football Club and the combined side picked up one premiership in this time. Port Adelaide struggled to regain its pre-war momentum once competition resumed in 1945 and played in only one grand final for the rest of the 1940s.

Champion players in this era included Bob Quinn, Sampson Hosking, Les Dayman and Bob McLean

Fos Williams era: 1950–1973

Desperate seeking a change in fortunes, the Port Adelaide committee went in search of a coach that could win the club a premiership. In a decision which would shape the next 50 years of the Port Adelaide Football Club, the committee took a punt on a rover from West Adelaide with just 54 SANFL games to his name - Foster Neil Williams. Williams brought a new uncompromising coaching style based on success at any cost. In just his second season as coach, Williams led the Magpies to their first premiership since 1939. However this was just the beginning of an unprecedented run of success. From 1953, Port Adelaide played in every grand final for the rest of the decade and won a record six premierships in a row from 1954–1959. Williams left as coach in 1958 and Port Adelaide's success seemed to go with him. With his return in 1962, Port Adelaide won three of the next four premierships taking Williams' tally to nine.

This era introduced Magpies fans to players the likes of John Cahill, Peter Woite, Dave Boyd, Geof Motley and Russell Ebert. However, the club failed to win a premiership over the period 1966–1976. Port, and Fos Williams, were frustrated particularly by the dominance of Sturt, which captured seven titles over this period with its run-on game under the leadership of Jack Oatey.

John Cahill era: 1974–1988

One of Port Adelaide's finest players during the Fos Williams era was John Cahill. He eventually became William's protégé and ultimately took over as coach in 1974. While not experiencing success as soon as Williams, Cahill coached in the Williams mould and was, if anything, even more attacking. Cahill took the Magpies to their first Grand Final under his leadership in 1976. They lost the match but learnt a lot, and converted this experience into premierships in four out of five seasons from 1977 to 1981.

In 1981 Port's David Granger was to be the first footballer in the SANFL to be suspended on video evidence. Granger's retirement following a 10 week suspension in 1982 is seen as the end to an era of violence in the game that had become common for all the clubs in their drive to win.

Off-field, a dispute between the Port Adelaide City Council and the SANFL forced the Magpies to move to Adelaide Oval for two seasons from 1975 to 1976. This dispute was eventually solved and the Magpies moved back to Alberton in 1977.

Cahill left the SANFL Magpies in 1983 to coach the VFL Magpies, Collingwood, for two seasons. This saw Port Adelaide fall back to the field somewhat and would not win another premiership until 1988.

Meanwhile, the 1980s marked the rise and rise of the VFL as the premier football competition in the country. SANFL players were flowing across the border to Victoria in search of the large salaries on offer.

Entering the AFL: 1989–1996

As early as 1982, there was talk of a side from South Australia entering the VFL. This was fast tracked in 1987 when a team from Western Australia, the West Coast Eagles, and a team from Brisbane, the Brisbane Bears joined the VFL. This left South Australia as the only mainland state in Australia without a team in an increasingly national competition.

The SANFL had been unwilling to entertain the thought of a South Australian side in the VFL. In 1990, the Port Adelaide Football Club, frustrated at the SANFL's lack of action and looking to secure its own future, formally applied to enter what had now become the AFL. The AFL signed a Heads of Agreement with the club in expectation that Port would enter the competition in 1991. What ensued was one of the most bitter episodes in South Australian football history that split the state, the fault lines of which are still evident today. Furious at what it perceived to be treacherous behaviour by Port Adelaide, the SANFL put forward a counter bid to enter a composite South Australian side into the AFL. After legal action from all parties, the AFL finally agreed to accept the SANFL's bid and the Adelaide Football Club was born. Ultimately, Port Adelaide could not compete against the SANFL's ownership of infrastructure and the support of the nine other clubs in South Australia.

The fallout from this failed bid was disastrous with some even calling for Port Adelaide to be expelled from the SANFL. However, Port Adelaide continued to compete and continued to dominate. The Magpies followed their triple triumphs from 1988 to 1990 with a premiership in 1992 and three in a row again from 1994 to 1996. This equated to seven premierships in nine seasons.

But the anger from the failed AFL bid continued to simmer below the surface. In 1994, the AFL announced it would award a second AFL licence to a South Australian club. Port Adelaide seemed the obvious choice but this did not stop other clubs putting their case forward. The strongest threat came from a combined Norwood-Sturt bid. After much deliberation, the AFL awarded Port Adelaide the second licence and after years of delays, Port was set to enter the premier competition in Australia.

However a licence did not guarantee entry and although a target year of 1996 was set, this was reliant on an existing AFL club folding or merging with another. In 1996, cash-strapped Fitzroy announced it would merge with Brisbane Bears to form Brisbane Lions. A spot had finally opened and it was announced that in 1997, one year later than expected, Port Adelaide would enter the AFL.

Because Collingwood, an existing AFL team, played in black and white stripes and were nicknamed the Magpies, it was incumbent on Port Adelaide to find new colours and a new nickname to avoid a clash. In 1995, a new guernsey - jumper was created with the look unveiled made up of Black, White, Silver and Teal which represents the water of the Port River. The logo consisted of three strips, reflecting the colours.

Once an entry date had been confirmed, the Port Adelaide Football Club set about forming a side fit for competition in the AFL. It was announced that existing Magpies coach, John Cahill would make the transition to the AFL. Cahill then set about forming a group which would form the inaugural squad. Brownlow medallist and former Magpie, Gavin Wanganeen was poached from Essendon and made captain of a team made up of six existing Magpies players, players from other SANFL clubs and some recruits from interstate.

Port becomes a "power": 1997-

1997-98

On 29 March 1997 Port Adelaide played its first match for AFL premiership points against Collingwood at the MCG and copped a 79-point thrashing. Port won its first game in the AFL in Round 3 against Geelong on 12 April 1997 by 39 points. In Round 4 it recorded one if its best wins for the season when it defeated cross town rivals and eventual premiers The Crows by 11 points in the very first Showdown. In May, John Cahill walked out on the team for a couple of days after a verbal argument with football operations manager Mick Moylan. Cahill said to Moylan: 'You've burnt me. You're claiming I'm not training the players hard enough. I've had it'.[citation needed] Cahill returned to the club but Moylan left at the end of the season. At the mid way point of the season (round 11) Port were in ninth position out of the eight by just percentage. In Round 20 they drew their first match against the Brisbane Lions at the The Gabba. Port Adelaide was widely tipped to take the wooden spoon at the start of the season but defied the critics and recovered from its poor start to finish 9th just percentage behind Brisbane. To end the year Michael Wilson won the Rising Star Award.

The 1998 season was looking very similar to the 1997 as they hovered around ninth position for most of the year and looked like a threat for finals after Round 14, but after that they lost six of their last eight games including defeats of over nine goals to North Melbourne, Adelaide and Carlton. The Power finished the 1998 season in 10th place, with a record of 9 wins, 12 losses and 1 draw.

The Mark Williams era: 1999-

1999

In 1999 Mark 'Choco' Williams took over as coach of Port Adelaide. The club played in its first final, albeit a pre-season grand final against Hawthorn at Waverley Park. The Power lost 5.6 (36) to 12.11 (83) The season wasn't looking very promising and by Round 12 they had dropped down to a low of fourteenth. But they put together a five game win streak from Round 13 through to Round 17 to eventually finish 7th and earn them a spot in the finals for the first time in the club's history. They were however eliminated by eventual premier, North Melbourne, by 44 points in the Qualifying Final. Port Adelaide had achieved real success for the first time in the national competition.

2000–2001

After a very promising 1999 Port had an extremely poor start to the 2000 season where they won just one game until Round 13. After Round 13 however they had a promising finish to the year winning six of their last ten games. They finished 14th, recording 7 wins, 14 losses and 1 draw); their lowest finish so far.

Port Adelaide had a very successful 2001 season, starting with a maiden pre-season competition victory, defeating the Brisbane Lions 17.9 (111) to 3.8 (26) with Adam Kingsley awarded the Michael Tuck Medal as best afield. They became the first non-Melbourne based club to win the pre season premiership and the first club to win both Showdown's in the same year, defeating The Crows by 65 and eight points respectively. The Power finished their 2001 home and away season with 16 wins and 6 losses, finishing 3rd on the ladder and qualifying for the finals series. The club travelled to Brisbane for the Qualifying Final, losing by 32 points. They had however earned themselves a second chance by finishing third and had a home Semi Final against the team who had finish 6th, Hawthorn. Port led by 17 points going into the last quarter but failed to convert and lost by three points.

2002

The Power started 2002 strongly, winning the Pre Season competition for the second time in a row (71-62 against the Richmond Tigers) with Nick Stevens awarded the Michael Tuck Medal. The side built on its success in 2002 and won its first minor premiership with an 18-4 record. However, they could not convert this form into a Grand Final berth.

Qualifying for the finals series, they were upset in the Qualifying Final by Collingwood 108-95, but won their second match over Essendon 83-59 to qualify for the preliminary finals before losing to the eventual Grand Final winners the Brisbane Lions 138-82.

2003

Despite the disappointment of the finals of 2002, Port Adelaide continued its minor round dominance and again finished top to claim the McClelland Trophy in 2003. But, in what was now becoming a regular occurrence, Port Adelaide lost the qualifying final to the Sydney Swans (who were a 7.00 outsider), defeated Essendon in the Semi then lost to Collingwood by 44 points in the Preliminary Final and again failing to make the Grand Final.

2004

Port Adelaide continued its domination in the home and away season and for the third consecutive season finished top of the ladder after 22 rounds. Unlike 2002 and 2003 Port Adelaide won its first final against Geelong, earning a home Preliminary Final. The Power made it through to its first AFL Grand Final after defeating St Kilda in a thrilling Preliminary Final by just six points. On 25 September 2004, Port Adelaide faced a highly fancied Brisbane side attempting to win a record-equalling fourth straight AFL premiership. Only one point separated the sides at half time, however late in the third quarter Port Adelaide took the ascendency and romped home in the final term to win by 40 points: 17.11 (113) to 10.13 (73). Port Adelaide had attained its first (and thus far only) premiership.

Main article: 2004 AFL Grand Final
2004 Toyota AFL Grand Final G B Total
Port Adelaide 17 11 113
Brisbane Lions 10 13 73
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground Crowd: 77,671

2005

File:Mahoneyresized.JPG
Port Adelaide against the West Coast Eagles at AAMI Stadium in 2006

After the euphoria of 2004, Port Adelaide struggled to maintain its form and endured a disappointing 2005. After a slow start to the season, they finished 8th to scrape into the finals series where they defeated the Kangaroos by 87 points. In the next round Port faced the highly fancied minor premiers Adelaide. This match, dubbed "The Ultimate Showdown", marked the first occasion where the two cross-town rivals had met in a finals series. The result was an anti-climax for Port, who went down by 83 points in a massive turnaround from their performance the previous week against the Kangaroos.

2006

After having a shaky start to the 2006 season the side played into some form, winning four consecutive matches, before losing four consecutive matches. After having lost to St Kilda, the Power sat in 12th position with only six wins out of a possible sixteen. The Power then went on to lose to the Swans and the Kangaroos which gave them their worst ever losing streak of six consecutive losses. The Power then travelled to Darwin to take on finals bound Western Bulldogs and fought to a gutsy 14 point win after some last quarter heroics from Michael Pettigrew, placing The Power in 11th position with 7 wins and 12 losses with three games remaining.

After going down to Collingwood by two points in Round 20 at home, the Power faced the highly-fancied, premiership favoured, but injury-decimated arch-rival Adelaide in Round 21 in Showdown XXI. Adelaide dominated early proceedings, but kept Port Adelaide in the game with their wasteful kicking for goal, with 3.8, and two shots out on the full. The Power youngsters took advantage and fought hard for a 14-point victory, ending the recent Crows winning streak over them and giving their supporters great hope that another premiership was not too far away. Chad Cornes was named Showdown Medallist as best-on-ground in the game.

2006 was seen as a very important year for the Power, as the new guard had begun to show that they are capable of great things and are working towards playing final again in 2007. The Power had a club record number of nominations for the AFL Rising Star award in 2006, and provided the winner in Danyle Pearce. In the Brownlow Medal count, the Power's best outpolled the favourites from cross-town nemesis Adelaide. 2006 Best and Fairest Brendon Lade and midfielder Shaun Burgoyne each scored 15 votes, whilst NAB Rising Star Danyle Pearce took thirteen - with Port Adelaide finishing the count with 67 votes - one of the top eight clubs for the night. With 2006 being a fairly disappointing year all up, 6 of the clubs 8 wins that year were to teams that finished in the top 8 in 2006, including the beltings they gave to reigning premiers Sydney and future premiers of that year West Coast.

2007

Port Adelaide equalled their best ever start to a season, with 6 wins and 1 loss after round 7, after defeating Fremantle, kangaroos, Collingwood, St Kilda and Richmond, although losing to the Adelaide Crows. Coach Mark Williams believed the Power was now reaping the rewards of its decision to allow seven key players to undergo surgery in 2006 in order to get them fit to play for 2007.[3]

Many players enjoyed great starts to the season, including Ex-Richmond Tigers player David Rodan, who performed solidly in his first game against his former club, continuing his impressive career revival at the Power. Also, explosive midfielder Shaun Burgoyne was an early contender to win the Brownlow Medal, while Chad Cornes' was also in the hunt. Slightly built speedster Nathan Krakouer, nephew of the legendary North Melbourne brothers Jimmy Krakouer and Phil Krakouer, also showed plenty of raw talent and exciting glimpses of his potential.

Round 8 saw Port incur a 31 point defeat at the hands of last year's grand finalists Sydney at the SCG. Half way through the 4th quarter, the Power cut the gap to just 19 points, but Sydney answered with another 2 goals and effectively sealed the match. The Power's best midfielders were negated, and although it won the first possessions and the clearances, Port didn't do enough with them. [5] With their second loss of the season, the Power slipped back to 2nd position on the ladder behind the Eagles.

The Power incurred further losses in Rounds 9, 10 and 11, to Geelong, Hawthorn and Carlton respectively, leaving it reeling with 4 consecutive losses. However in its Round 12 match against Essendon, Port Adelaide had a confidence-boosting win (126 to 95), returning to its traditional attacking style of game, in Warren Tredrea’s 200th game for the power, who scored 4 goals in the match.Robert Gray also booted 4 goals for the Power, in just his third match [6]

Round 15 saw the Power trashing the premiers West Coast by 91 points, their biggest win that year. Chad Cornes, Justin Westhoff and Daniel Motlop kicked 4 goals apiece and Kane Cornes restricted Chris Judd to just 11 disposals while getting 35 disposals himself. They finished the minor season 2nd on the ladder.

Heritage-Themed Round: The 2006 controversy concerning the AFL's refusal to permit Port to wear its traditional black-and-white "prison bar" guernsey in the heritage-themed rounds continued in 2007. Earlier in the year, Power chief executive John James said the club was waiting for confirmation from the AFL that it could wear its 1970s prison bar guernsey for the match against the Western Bulldogs. He said Port was also looking for confirmation it would be able to continue to honour its heritage in any future heritage rounds. Port Adelaide wore black-and-white in the SANFL from 1902 until adding teal and silver to its colours when it joined the AFL in 1997 to avoid a clash with Collingwood. Port Adelaide decided not to participate in the 2006 heritage round when the AFL did not approve the club’s 1980s-style black-and-white guernsey for its 80s themed heritage round. Collingwood club president Eddie McGuire has been a vocal opponent of Port wearing the prison bar guernsey, claiming that Collingwood has an exclusive right to wear black and white in the AFL, even in the heritage round. John James stated that the Power possibly received more correspondence from its supporters about the heritage guernsey than about any other issue and that the club would “continue to fight for its heritage and what is right”.[4] On 14 May 2007 the AFL and Port reached an agreement whereby Port can wear its prison bar guernsey in the heritage round this season, with the proviso that in future seasons its players can only wear it in home heritage round games and provided that such a game is not against Collingwood.[5]

Some former players also criticised wearing the heritage guernsey and called for the club to distance itself from its previous history in order to attract a wider fan base. Roger James says he had always viewed the Power as a new club "I understand Port's background but as far as I'm concerned the Power was started from scratch, has only been in the (AFL) competition for 11 years and was made up of players from every SANFL club, to me, its heritage goes back to 1997 and that's why I question the decision to wear a Magpies jumper." Josh Francou commented that "It's time to move on, I can understand Port wanting to recognise its history but there is still a stigma attached with the Port Magpies in that if you don't like them you absolutely hate them and I think Port - while still being respectful of its heritage - has to move away from that."[6]

Port Adelaide started their finals campaign against the West Coast Eagles at AAMI Stadium and won a tight contest by 3 points. The final score was 9.14 (68) vs 9.11 (65). That win meant that Port received the week off, their next game would be the Preliminary final against the Kangaroos, who defeated Hawthorn in the Semi-finals. After a tight opening quarter, Port defeated the Kangaroos to win by 87 points, 20.13 (133) vs 5.16 (46). This win ensured Port of a grand final berth, their second in four years. However, in the Grand Final they were defeated by Geelong by a AFL record margin of 119 points, 24.19 (163) to 6.8 (44).

Main article: 2007 AFL Grand Final
2007 Toyota AFL Grand Final G B Total
Geelong 24 19 163
Port Adelaide 6 8 44
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground Crowd: 97,302

2008

It was a disappointing 2008 for a Port Adelaide side keen to build on last year’s grand final appearance. Injuries hurt the side late in the season but only after finals became impossible to reach. Port Adelaide was slow out of the blocks, not notching up a win until round five, by when it seemed its season was over.

There were convincing wins over St Kilda in round six and Essendon the following week. But there were some extremely poor showings and the season was one of underachievement. Kane Cornes was once again at his consistent best in the middle winning the club's best and fairest at the end of the year, while Daniel Motlop showed at times that he can be one of the most damaging forwards going around, being the Power's leading goal kicker.

The round 13 game loss to Richmond at home embodied Port Adelaide’s season. The Power looked to have the Tigers’ measure with a strong opening few minutes before Richmond powered away to kick nine goals in the first term and consolidate a lead that couldn’t be reclaimed. Richmond lesser lights Cleve Hughes and Mitch Morton starred up forward and put an end to any finals plans Mark Williams may have had. This game was one of too many that Port Adelaide should have easily won but didn’t. After the game Mark Williams called the Power's season as "officially off."

Many had tipped Justin Westoff to be the heir apparent to Warren Tredrea up forward after an eye-catching debut season in 2007. But Westoff struggled with the extra attention this year and only managed 22 goals despite leading Port Adelaide in the marks category. Brett Ebert also had a quiet year for his standards after he was the AFL’s best small forward with 56 goals in 2007. He only kicked 33 this year and was held goalless on six occasions.

In the national competition, one of the pluses of being a non-Victorian team is home advantage. But Port Adelaide only won three of its 12 games at AAMI stadium for the year, which made finals an impossibility.[7]

The season also saw the retirement of Power legend, Michael Wilson, due to recurring injuries, which had bothered him for most of his career. Wilson is known for his leadership and toughness, and was one of the players in the Power's first AFL premiership team.[8]

On 5 November 2008, Warren Tredrea stepped down as captain to focus on his own footballing ability. [9]

2009

On 9 February, it was announced that Domenic Cassisi will become the Power's new captain for the 2009 season, with Shaun Burgoyne and Kane Cornes appointed as vice-captains.[10] Cassisi's elevation to captaincy generated controversy due to coach Mark Williams originally wanting Shaun Burgoyne or Chad Cornes to be captain, which was overruled by the Power's administration board. Williams however was happy with the result by stating: "Having gone through the (board administration) process, I'm delighted with the result we got."[11]

On 17 March, the Port Adelaide Football Club announced that they had requested an immediate seven-figure sum from the AFL in a bid to ease its financial crisis. The Power had accumulated a consolidated debt totaling $5.1 million and was unable to pay it's players, they had lost $1.4 million the season before, a year in which they finished 13th, and had their average home crowds drop to little more than 23,000.[12] However the financial assistance was denied by the league, with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou saying that they would have to undergo an intensive application process and work with the SANFL who own the Power's AFL licence.[13] On 20 May, Port were handed $2.5 million in debt relief by the SANFL, and on 15 June were handed a $1 million grant by the AFL commission.[14][15] By the end of the season the financial situation had reached the point where either the Port Adelaide Magpies (also suffering from crippling debt) or the Power could be forced to fold. The SANFL had announced it could support one club but not both. Plans for a merger of the two clubs to keep the Power in both the AFL and SANFL were later rejected by the SANFL.

For the 2009 season, Port Adelaide improved on its 13th-place finish of last year. The Power notched up an extra two/three wins to climb to 10th position on the AFL ladder and, in the third year of a five-year plan, are slowly heading in the right direction. The club got some important game time into the likes of Hamish Hartlett, Matthew Broadbent, Travis Boak, Alipate Carlile, Robbie Gray, Nathan Krakouer and Nick Salter and appear to have unearthed a player in former Geelong-listed midfielder Jason Davenport.

Warren Tredrea was back to his best kicking 51 goals for the season and leading Port Adelaide's goalkicking again. One of his highlights in the year was 2 consecutive hauls of 6 goals vs Melbourne and Hawthorn and a 7 goal haul vs Richmond including the one that sealed the game. That match vs Richmond, Tredrea also took a saving mark deep in defence.

Despite the rise up the AFL ladder it could be argued that the club actually went backwards in several key areas. The Power’s frustratingly inconsistent form and significant lapses within games raised concerns over the team’s mental state and willingness to dig in when the going got tough. The playing list, which was not too long ago considered top-four material, also appears suspect. The new hierarchy of president Brett Duncanson and CEO Mark Haysman worked diligently to minimise the club’s multi-million-dollar debt, but the club itself did not appear sold on its decision to re-appoint long-serving coach Mark Williams. Williams was re-signed as a result of a marathon nine-hour board meeting, but talk of behavioural clauses, succession plans and general unrest has obviously had a negative impact to the club.[16]

The end of the 2009 season also saw the retirements of premiership players Peter Burgoyne, Brendon Lade, and Toby Thurstans.

On 14 September, Port Adelaide Football Operations Manager Peter Rohde announced that premiership player and vice-captain Shaun Burgoyne has requested a trade to Victoria.[17]

The Power's poor year was succinctly summarised during trade week by one player agent as ""There is no way I would, or could, recommend any of my players moving to Port Adelaide, no matter how much they were offered. No self-respecting manager could do it." [18]

On 8 October, Shaun Burgoyne was traded to Hawthorn in a 4 team-trade where the Power received Essendon's Jay Nash, and draft pick selections #9, #16, and #97.[19]

2010

On 11 February, Gordon Pickard increased his sponsorship of the Power on the condition that they use the money to save the Port Adelaide Magpies. This would require that the Power buy the Magpies only major asset, the Prince of Wales Hotel, for $5 million. The deal would clear the Magpies $2 million debt and support the club for several more years. The Power will then move the poker machines from the Alberton Oval clubrooms to the hotel and another undisclosed northern suburbs location which will give the Power a revenue stream to allieviate their own financial problems.[20]

Current playing list

Template:Port Adelaide Football Club Squad

Squad Changes for 2010

Ins

Outs

Other notable players

Main article: List of Port Adelaide Football Club players

Officials

  • Chief Executive: Mark Haysman
  • Football Operations: Peter Rohde

Honour Board

The honour board is listed from the first VFL/AFL season and includes:

  • John Cahill Medal - awarded to Port Adelaide Football Club's Best & Fairest
  • Leading goalkicker award

SANFL Era

Year Position President Coach Captain Best and Fairest Leading Goalkicker
1877 4 J.Hart (jnr) W.Fletcher W.Fletcher T.G.Smith A.LeMessurier
1878 3 J.Hart (jnr) W.Fletcher W.Fletcher T.G.Smith E.LeMessurier/ J.Carter
1879 2 J.Hart (jnr) W.Fletcher W.Fletcher T.G.Smith A.LeMessurier
1880 6 J.Formby J.H.Sandilands W.Fletcher/ J.H.Sandilands J.B.Sidoli H.J.Watt
1881 5 J.Formby C.Kellett C.Kellett J.Munro G.Slatter
1882 3 J.Formby N.R.Turpenny E.LeMessurier/ N.R.Turpenny R.Kirkpatrick J.E.Litchfield
1883 2 J.Formby N.R.Turpenny N.R.Turpenny C.Kellett/G.Cairns R.C.Roy
1884 1 J.Formby N.R.Turpenny N.R.Turpenny C.Kellett/G.Cairns R.C.Roy
1885 3 J.Formby N.R.Turpenny N.R.Turpenny/ C.Kellett M.M.Coffee R.C.Roy
1886 4 J.Formby J. McGargill W. Bushby C. Fry M. Coffee 6
1887 2 J.Formby J. McGargill W. Bushby/W. Buchan W. Bushby/R. Walsh Alf Bushby 22
1888 2 J.Formby J. McGargill W. Bushby Harry Phillips Harry Phillips 24
1889 2 J.Formby
1890 1 J.Formby
1891 2 J.Formby Harry Phillips
1892 2 J.Formby Harry Phillips
1893 3 J.Cleave Harry Phillips/W.Murray
1894 3 J.Cleave
1895 3 W.Fisher
1896 5 W.Fisher/ C.Tucker
1897 1 W.Fisher/ C.Tucker J. McGargill K. McKenzie K. McKenzie A. Lees 26
1898 2 W.Fisher J. McGargill K. McKenzie Arch Hosie W. Stark 31
1899 3 W.Fisher J. McGargill Harry Phillips Stan Malin W. Stark 13
1900 6 W.Fisher J. McGargill Harry Phillips Jack Quinn H. Tompkins 16
1901 2 R.Cruickshank J. McGargill Arch Hosie E. Strawns Jack Quinn 27
1902 3 R.Cruickshank J. McCargill Arch Hosie L. Corston M. Healy 25
1903 1 W.E.Mattinson J. McCargill Arch Hosie J. Tompkins J. Tompkins 40
1904 2 W.E.Mattinson J. McCargill Arch Hosie/Jack Quinn L. Corston J. Tompkins 28
1905 2 W.E.Mattinson J. McGargill Jack Quinn Jack Quinn J. Matheson 30
1906 1 W.E.Mattinson
1907 2 W.E.Mattinson J. McCargill L. Corston Jack Mack Jack Quinn 32
1908 3 W.E.Mattinson Arch Hosie E. Strawns/M.G. Donaghy J. Dickson J. Matheson 33
1909 2 W.E.Mattinson Arch Hosie M.G. Donaghy J. Dickson Angelo Congear 12
1910 1 W.E Mattinson Arch Hosie Jack Woolard Sampson Hosking Frank Hansen 46
1911 2 R. Cruikshank M.G. Donaghy/Jack Woolard G.P. Dempster Harold Oliver Frank Hansen 41
1912 2 R. Cruikshank S.T. Cook/Sampson Hosking - Harold Oliver Frank Hansen 37
1913 1 A.V. Benson Jack Londrigan Jack Londrigan H. Eston Frank Hansen 39
1914 1 A.V. Benson Jack Londrigan Jack Londrigan J. Ashley J. Dunn 33
1915 2 A.V. Benson A. McFarlane A. McFarlane H. Eston Angelo Congear 21

AFL

Year Position President Coach Captain Best and Fairest Leading Goalkicker (Total)
1997 9 Greg Boulton John Cahill Gavin Wanganeen Darren Mead Scott Cummings (70)
1998 10 Greg Boulton John Cahill Gavin Wanganeen Adam Kingsley Warren Tredrea (33)
1999 7 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Gavin Wanganeen Stephen Paxman Warren Tredrea (40)
2000 14 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Gavin Wanganeen Brett Montgomery Warren Tredrea (32)
2001 5 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Matthew Primus Warren Tredrea Warren Tredrea (51)
2002 3 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Matthew Primus Matthew Primus Stuart Dew (51)
2003 4 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Matthew Primus Gavin Wanganeen Warren Tredrea (58)
2004 Premiers Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Warren Tredrea* Warren Tredrea Warren Tredrea (81)
2005 6 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Matthew Primus Warren Tredrea Warren Tredrea (65)
2006 12 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Warren Tredrea Brendon Lade Josh Mahoney (29)
2007 Grand Finalist Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Warren Tredrea Kane Cornes Brett Ebert (56)
2008 13 Greg Boulton Mark M. Williams Warren Tredrea Kane Cornes Daniel Motlop (57)
2009 10 Brett Duncanson Mark M. Williams Domenic Cassisi Warren Tredrea Warren Tredrea (51)
2010 - Brett Duncanson Mark M. Williams Domenic Cassisi - -

Notes:

  • During the 2004 season, Matthew Primus was unable to play in the 2004 season (although he did play one game) due to injury meaning that Warren Tredrea captained the premiership team.

Club Achievements

  • AFL Premierships (1)

2004

  • SANFL Premierships (34, record)

1884, 1890, 1897, 1903, 1906, 1910, 1913, 1914, 1921, 1928, 1936, 1937, 1939, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1977
1979, 1980, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996.

  • Champions of Australia (4, record)

1890, 1910, 1913, 1914

  • AFL Pre-Season Premierships (2)

2001, 2002

  • SANFL Pre-Season Premierships (3)

1961, 1973, 1989

  • AFL Minor Premiership/McClelland Trophy (3)

2002, 2003, 2004

  • AFL Runner-Up (1)

2007

  • SANFL Runner-Up (34)

1879, 1883, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1891, 1892, 1898, 1901, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1915, 1925, 1926, 1929, 1930, 1934, 1935, 1938, 1945
1946, 1953, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1984

  • SANFL Stanley H. Lewis Memorial Trophy[21] (11, record)

1962, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1988,
1989, 1992, 1994

  • AFL Finals Appearances (7)

1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

  • SANFL Minor Premiership (42, record)

Individual awards

Magarey Medal (SANFL) winners

Club Leading Goalkickers

Norm Smith Medal winners

AFL Rising Star nominees

AFL Rising Star winners

All Australian Selection

International Rules Selection

See also International Rules Series

Best First Year Player Award

Best Team Man Award

Fos Williams Award

Most Improved Player

Gavin Wanganeen Medal

One-Off Awards

Best Finals Player

Members Choice

Discontinued

Greatest Team

In June 2001 Port Adelaide announced its Greatest Team (1870–2000) from two centuries. And as the club, either as the original blue-and-white Ports of Buck’s Flat in 1870 or as the Magpies, has achieved unparalleled success in Australian football, it is hailed as the “Greatest Team of the Greatest Club”.

All 22 members of the all-time greatest Port Adelaide team played significant parts in ensuring the club’s rise from the SANFL to the AFL in 1997 - and the demand of the SA Football Commission that a Magpies team be kept in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL).

There are 201 premiership medals held by the 22 players in the Greatest Team; 532 State games; 16 Magarey Medal and a long list of football accolades and achievements that allow Port Adelaide to have the greatest of the celebratory teams picked with the turn of the century.

The Team:

F: Scott Hodges, Tim Evans, Bob Quinn

HF: Dave Boyd, Les Dayman, Harold Oliver

C: Craig Bradley, Russell Ebert, John Cahill

HB: Neville Hayes, Greg Phillips, Geof Motley

B: Dick Russell, John Abley, Ted Whelan

Foll: Russell Johnston, "Bull" Reval, Fos Williams

Int: Harry Phillips, Jeff Potter, Peter Woite, Lloyd Zucker

Coach: Fos Williams.[22]

Club records

Highest Score

AFL - 29.14 (188) v Hawthorn, Round 13, 2005 AAMI Stadium, Adelaide

SANFL - 37.21 (243) v Woodville, 19 April 1980

Lowest Score

AFL - 4.8 (32) v Richmond 3.12 (30), Round 11, 1999 AAMI Stadium, Adelaide

SANFL - 1.1 (7) v North Adelaide, 5 May 1900

Greatest Winning Margin

AFL - 117 points v Hawthorn, Round 13, 2005 AAMI Stadium, Adelaide

SANFL - 179 points v Woodville, 8 August 1970, Woodville Oval

Most Games

AFL - 235 - Warren Tredrea (1997–present)

SANFL - 392 - Russell Ebert (1968–1978 & 1980–1985)

Most Goals

AFL - 515 - Warren Tredrea (1997–present)

SANFL - 1044 - Tim Evans (1975–1986)

Longest Undefeated Run

AFL - 8 wins (Rnd 8–15, 2002 & Rnd 15–22, 2003)

SANFL - 33 games (21/06/1913–03/07/1915)

Most number of goals in a match

AFL - 8 goals Warren Tredrea (Rnd 7, 1998. Port Adelaide vs Carlton)

SANFL - 16 goals Tim Evans (Rnd 5, 1980. Port Adelaide vs West Adelaide)

Corporate

Presidents:

  • Bruce Weber (1986–1992)
  • Greg Boulton (1993–2008)
  • Brett Duncanson (2009–)

Supporters

Port Adelaide has one of the smallest supporter’s bases in the AFL. The core of its supporter base derives from across South Australia. Traditionally before AFL entry the vast majority of Port supporters where either born, or lived in the Port area, however since AFL entry the club has attracted many fans from all over Adelaide.

Supporter Groups

Port Adelaide has many supporter groups, with every state or territory containing at least one supporter group. In addition, many country towns within South Australia have their own supporter group, many of which travel to both home and away games.

Within metropolitan the official supporter group are known as the Port Adelaide Cheer squad Supporters Group (PACSSG). The group members must pay an annual fee to join the group with majority funds being donated to the PAFC. In addition to this the PACSSG also create banners for home matches and some away games, and can be seen and heard from behind the Northern End goals of AAMI Stadium. The name Port Adelaide Cheer Squad Supporters Club derives from when the Port Adelaide Cheer Squad merged with the Port Adelaide Supporters Group in 2008 in an effort to create a larger official group.

Arguably the largest supporter group are known as the Outer Army, who unlike the PACSSG is not officially aligned with the PAFC. Despite this the Outer Army still provides funds to the club through sponsorship. The name Outer Army comes from the group’s original position at AAMI Stadium, choosing to sit on the eastern side which is also commonly known as the “Outer.” Members of the group however can be seen sitting in many different areas around AAMI Stadium, preferring to several smaller groups rather than one big group. The most well known and largest group however can be seen in Bay 132.

Membership and attendance

Year Members End of Minor Round Finishing Position1 Average Crowd Major Sponsor
1997 35,809 9 9 35,703 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
1998 38,305 10 10 31,657 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
1999 37,166 7 7 31,270 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2000 34,295 14 14 26,376 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2001 33,296 3 5 30,789 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2002 36,299 1st 3 30,414 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2003 36,425 1st 4 31,845 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2004 36,340 1st 1st 29,877 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2005 36,834 8 6 32,911 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2006 35,648 12 12 28,546 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2007 34,073 2 2 27,870 Vodafone, Scotts Transport
2008 34,185 13 13 22,126 Vodafone, Bianco Construction Supplies
2009 30,605 10 10 24,349 Vodafone, Bianco Construction Supplies
2010 TBA TBA TBA TBA My ATM

1after finals

Home grounds

Club Guernsey's

On 1 November 2006 Reebok replaced Nike as Port Adelaide's official apparel partner and manufacturer Port Adelaide's jumpers.

A guernsey designed by an 11-year-old indigenous student from Waikerie Primary School [7] was worn by the Power players in the Season 2007, Round 7 match against Richmond. The guernsey was the winning design in a competition which asked primary school children to design a Power guernsey, run in conjunction with the Come Out Youth Arts Festival, a long-running festival that involves young people throughout South Australia. It is believed to be a sporting first. [8]

On October 2007, it was announced that Bianco Building Supplies would replace it as one of its major sponsors. Bianco signage appears on the front of the club's home guernsey, and when in away games on the back of the away and clash guernsey. Vodafone signage appears on Ports home guernsey on the back and on the front in away games on the away and clash guernseys. [9]

On 15 December 2008, Reebok announced that the Power's 2009's guernseys, manufacture would have '1870' printed on the back, just above the player number. New power chief executive Mark Haysman said the move to add 1870 to the club’s guernseys formed part of its Live the Creed initiative. The Port Adelaide Football Club was founded on 20 April 1870 and played its first match on 24 May 1870 at what was known as Bucks Flat at Glanville. [10]

On 17 July 2009, the Power unveiled a special one-off guernsey, now known as the 'Back in Black' guernsey which was designed by a 7 year old student from Ardtornish Primary school. The guernsey has a predominantly black design with a white and teal 'V' and a prominent Power logo. On 28 October 2009, Port received AFL approval to wear the jumper in premiership matches. On 8 February 2010, Port Adelaide announced it's new sponsor to be My ATM. It will where the sponsor's logo on the front and back of the guernsey.

Guernsey types

File:Port Adelaide Power Jumper.svg
Port Adelaide Power's original home guernsey, now worn on special occasions.
File:Port Adelaide Power Back in Black.gif
Port Adelaide Power's new "back in black" home guernsey.

The Three types of guernseys are:

  • Home guernsey (Worn since 2009): Black based guernsey with a V shaped design, coloured teal and white, My ATM sponsor to be on front and back of guernsey (home pants worn).
  • Clash guernsey (Worn since 2010): White based guernsey with a V shaped design, coloured teal and black, My ATM sponsor to be on front and back of guernsey (away pants worn).
  • Occasional guernsey (Worn since 1997): Original design, My ATM sponsor to be on front and back of guernsey (home and away pants worn). Worn in showdowns and against the Brisbane Lions.

Club Mascot & Home Game Entertainment

Port's club mascot is Tommy "Thunda" Power. The song Thunderstruck by AC/DC is typically played when "Thunda" is on field during home pre-match entertainment.

The Club also has home game entertainment in the form of The Power Funk Squad, an energetic young dance team who were introduced in Season 2006, The Power 22, which are 22 of the Planet Teal child members who run around the boundary and cheer the Power players onto the field, the NAB Supporter of the Week, who encourages vocal crowd support, and a float known as Thunda Bolt.[23]

Main article: AFL Mascot Manor

Club Song

We've got the Power to win

Power to rule

Come on, Port Adelaide aggression

We are the Power from Port

It's more than a sport

It's true Port Adelaide tradition

We'll never stop, stop, stop

Til we're top, top, top

There's history here in the making

We've got the Power to win

We'll never give in

Til the flag is ours for the taking

POWER

With our tradition so strong

We can't go wrong

We're the Alberton crowd

Port Adelaide proud

And the heroes are those

Who've earned the right

To wear the silver - teal

And black and white

And the Port supporters

Standing tall

True believers

One and all

We've got the Power to win Power to rule

Come on, Port Adelaide aggression

We are the Power from Port

It's more than a sport

It's true Port Adelaide tradition

We'll never stop, stop, stop

Til we're top, top, top

There's history here in the making

We've got the Power to win

We'll never give in

Til the flag is ours for the taking

POWER!!! [24]

Current and Former Number #1 Ticket Holders

Notes

  1. 1a "A brief history", from the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Accessed 14 January 2006.
  1. ^ 'Port Adelaide - Part One: 1870 to 1918', FullPointsFooty.net.
  2. ^ 'Club Championship of Australia', FullPointsFooty.net.
  3. ^ Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club > News Article > Last year's tough calls paying off: Power
  4. ^ "Club Statement re: Heritage Guernsey", from the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Accessed 13 May 2007.
  5. ^ . "Port Adelaide to wear Black and White" from the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Accessed 14 May 2007.
  6. ^ Magpies strip 'bad for Power' The Advertiser 05 July 2007
  7. ^ End of season report: Port Adelaide AFL News 3 October 2008
  8. ^ Power's Michael Wilson retires The Advertiser 05 August 2008
  9. ^ Warren Tredrea steps down as Port Adelaide captain Herald Sun 05 November 2008
  10. ^ Cassisi takes long road to captaincy Official Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club 09 February 2009
  11. ^ Over-ruled, Mark Williams' slide at Port continues The Advertiser 9 February 2009
  12. ^ Port tell league: we'll go broke realfooty 17 March 2009
  13. ^ It's not a snub - AFL still in the wings TPFP 19 March 2009
  14. ^ Port Adelaide gets $2.5 million SANFL funding AFL 20 May 2009
  15. ^ Power AFL grant AFL 15 June 2009
  16. ^ [1]
  17. ^ [2]
  18. ^ [3]
  19. ^ [4]
  20. ^ The Advertiser February 12, 2010 pages 1 and 4.
  21. ^ "The Stanley H. Lewis Memorial Trophy", from Full Points Footy. Accessed 21 September 2006.
  22. ^ Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club > The Club > Great Team
  23. ^ "Power Revolutionizes Game Day Entertainment from the Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club. Accessed: 10 April 2007.
  24. ^ http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/fanzone/clubsong/tabid/8112/default.aspx Club Song Official AFL Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club
  25. ^ http://www.thepowerfromport.com.au/articles.php?action=view&article_id=6537&lid=6&yr=2009 Joint No.1 Ticket Holders thepowerfromport.com.au 30 January 2008
  26. ^ Teresa Palmer Power's No. 1 AFL News 30 January 2008
  27. ^ Riding the roller-coaster The Age 2 January 2008
  28. ^ AFL: Diva trainer Port's No.1 fan Findarticles March, 2006
  29. ^ Bob Quinn 1915-2008 Official Website of the Port Adelaide Football Club 12 September 2008

Template:CommonsCat

Preceded by AFL Premiers
2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by SANFL Premiers
1884
1890
1897
1903
1906
1910
1913-1914
1921
1928
1936-1937
1939
1951
1954-1959
1962-1963
1965
1977
1979-1981
1988-1990
1992
1994-1996 		Succeeded by
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