Port Adelaide Football Club’s announcement yesterday of adopting their ‘Back In Black’ guernsey permanently for 2010 and beyond was greeted with plenty of applause from Power fans down at Alberton. And rightfully so. It’s a great move!The Power will wear the predominantly black strip with a white and teal V (which they wore twice in 2009, after a 7-year-old came up with the design) in at least 18 home and away matches in 2010, with a white version to be their clash uniform.
It means Port will say goodbye to their home strip which they’ve worn since they joined the AFL back in 1997 and which they sported when they won the 2004 AFL Premiership, although it has been noted the guernsey may still be used on ‘special occasions’.
Nevertheless, Port’s previous jumper was one of the more random and bizarre looking strips seen in the AFL devoid of any local attachment, while the incoming guernsey is simple yet iconic.
Wednesday’s unveiling at Port Adelaide’s Alberton training facility proved the change was a popular one too, with hundreds of happy fans in attendance cheering on the decision.
Indeed, Port Adelaide Chief Executive Mark Haysman acknowledged the change in guernsey had been instigated by unprecedented feedback from the club’s supporters and members after the strip was used in Round 16 and 17 last season.
In this day and age, Haysman’s admission is certainly pleasing to hear.
Just last week, the Brisbane Lions revealed their new strip for 2010, which saw the iconic Fitzroy lion removed in favour of a more modern and marketable look. It hardly pleased Brisbane’s old Fitzroy legion.
Port, on the other hand, followed popular opinion and while there’s no doubt Power management will expect the well-liked new strip to sell well with the fans, Haysman made an interesting comment about the guernsey which suggests making a buck wasn’t their only consideration.
Haysman revealed, “This is the jumper we envisage wearing forever.
“Something just feels instinctively ‘Port Adelaide’ about this jumper, which has really been embraced by the playing group and coaching staff since they first saw it last season.
“Some people have also observed the guernsey resembles the SA State jumper in Port Adelaide colours. Given the iconic place of our club in the history and fabric of South Australia, that’s a very nice coincidence.”
Indeed, the jumper does have an iconic look about it which is ideal for the Power who’ve struggled to win over locals and Port Adelaide Magpies fans.
But Haysman’s statement that he wants to see Port Adelaide wear the uniform forever is quite the revelation.
Perhaps it is PR talk, but the comment suggests Port management genuinely value the guernsey as an icon of what the club is about, rather than a money-making, merchandise-selling tool.
And with the members and supporters basically ushering in the change of kit, Haysman’s statement reiterates his support of the fans’ opinion.
At the end of the day, though, a different guernsey won’t get players to perform better but it might just restore some pride and passion from those who keep the club alive and that’s important for a team like Port, still battling to find their identity.
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