Port Adelaide Football Club
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| Full name | Port Adelaide Football Club |
| Nickname | The Power |
| Strip | Black, white, teal and silver |
| Founded | 1870 |
| Sport | Australian rules football |
| League | Australian Football League |
| First season | 1997 |
| Ground | AAMI Stadium |
| Club song | The Power to Win |
| President/Chair | Greg Boulton |
| Coach | Mark Williams |
| Captain | Warren Tredrea |
| 2006 | 12th of 16 |
The Port Adelaide Football Club, often referred to as simply Port, is an Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia. From its foundation in 1870 to 1996, the club representing Port Adelaide competed in the SANFL as the "Port Adelaide Magpies", but in 1997, Port Adelaide moved into the national AFL. During its time in the SANFL, Port Adelaide established itself as the most dominant club in the competition by winning 34 senior premierships in that league. In its short stint in the AFL, the club has won one premiership.
Port finished 12th in the 2006 AFL season.
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[edit] History
[edit] Foundation years: 1870 - 1901
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. 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 of competition wearing a rose pink outfit with white knickerbockers. The club initially enjoyed modest success and did not win a premiership until 1884. By this time, the strip had change 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 before a second premiership in 1890. It was in this season that Port Adelaide was crowned 'Champions of Australia' for the first time after 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. Syd Mallin 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.
[edit] Developing tradition: 1902 - 1949
In 1902, 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 June 21 1913 to July 31, 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. 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. Tee club 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.
[edit] 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 golden era introduced Magpies fans to players the likes of John Cahill, Peter Woite, David Boyd, Geof Motley and Russell Ebert. However, inspired by the success of Port Adelaide, the other clubs attempted to emulate the Williams style and North Adelaide, Sturt and Glenelg enjoyed considerable success from 1966 to 1976. This success came at the cost of the Magpies who did not win a premiership in this time.
[edit] 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.
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.
[edit] 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, the most successful club in Australia 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 the Brisbane Bears to form the 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, with Port's entry into the AFL imminent, Port Adelaide's new look was unveiled. The 'Magpies' became the 'Power' and teal, which represents the water of the Port River, was added to the existing black and white. A new logo and three new strips, reflecting the new colours, were also unveiled.
A new club, the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club, was formed to continue Port Adelaide's involvement in the SANFL. The club retained the Magpies name, black and white guernsey and Alberton base. The Magpies share records and history from 1870 to 1996 with the Port Adelaide Football Club.
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 inaugaural squad. Brownlow medallist and former Magpie, Gavin Wanganeen was poached from Essendon and made captain of a team comprised of existing Magpies players, players from other SANFL clubs and some recruits from interstate.
[edit] Port becomes a Power: 1997-
[edit] 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 it's first game in the AFL in Round 3 against Geelong on April 12 1997 by 39 points. In Round 4 it recorded one if it's 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'. 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.
[edit] The Mark Williams Era: 1999-
[edit] 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 clubs 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 defeated in the Qualifying Final but won their second match to qualify for the preliminary finals before losing to the eventual Grand Final winners the Brisbane Lions 138-82.
[edit] 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 'choked' in the finals series, losing in the first round 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.
[edit] 2004
By 2004, after three consecutive failed finals campaigns, the tag of 'chokers' had stuck. Despite this, 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. But, in a break from tradition, 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. After just eight seasons in the national competition, Port Adelaide had its first AFL premiership.
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| 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 | ||
[edit] 2005
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 crosstown 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.
[edit] 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 unluckily 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 will be seen as a very important year for the Power, as the new guard has begun to show that they are capable of great things and are working towards playing final again in 2007. The Power has had a club record number of nominations for the AFL Rising Star award in 2006. The winner of the AFL Rising Star award for 2006 was Danyle Pearce from Port Adelaide who won convincingly by 43 votes despite his team not making the finals that season. Even in the Brownlow Medal count, the Power's best surprisingly outpolled the favourites from crosstown nemesis Adelaide. 2006 Best and Fairest Brendon Lade and midfielder Shaun Burgoyne each scored 15 votes, whilst NAB Rising Star Daniel Pearce took thirteen - with Port Adelaide finishing the count with 67 votes - one of the top eight clubs for the night.
[edit] Current playing list
As of December 31, 2006:
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Rookies:
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[edit] Other notable players
[edit] Awards[edit] PremiershipsAFL Premierships (1) 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 SANFL Stanley H. Lewis Memorial Trophy[1] (11, record) 1962, 1963, 1964, 1970, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1994 Champions of Australia (4, record) AFL McClelland Trophy (3) AFL pre-season competition (2) [edit] Individual awards[edit] Best and Fairest[edit] Magarey Medal (SANFL) winners
[edit] Norm Smith Medal winners[edit] AFL Rising Star winners[edit] Club RecordsHighest Score AFL - 29.14 (188) v Hawthorn, Round 13, 2005 AAMI Stadium, Adelaide SANFL - 37.21 (243) v Woodville, April 19, 1980 Greatest Winning Margin AFL - 117 points v Hawthorn, Round 13, 2005 AAMI Stadium, Adelaide SANFL - 179 points v Woodville, August 8, 1970 Most Games AFL - 190 - Warren Tredrea (1997- Present (Round 1, 2006)) SANFL - 392 - Russell Ebert (1968-1978 & 1980-1985) Most Goals AFL - 409 - Warren Tredrea (1997- Present (Round 1, 2006)) SANFL - 1044 - Tim Evans (1975-1986) Longest winning streak against any club From the 19th of May 2000 (Round 11) to July 23rd 2006 (Round 16) Port Adelaide never lost to St Kilda. Most number of goals in a match AFL - 8 goals Warren Tredrea (Rnd 7, 1998. Port Adelaide vs Carlton) [edit] CorporateSponsorship: Presidents:
[edit] Membership and attendance
1after finals [edit] Home grounds
[edit] Club jumper
The club's current major sponsors are Vodafone and Scotts Transport. From November 1 2006 Reebok replaced Nike as Port Adelaide's official apparel partner and manufacturer Port Adelaide's jumpers. [edit] Notes
[edit] External links
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