“I hate Port Adelaide.” Just saying it feels good, kind of cathartic in a way. Hating someone else’s team can be as much fun as supporting your own.
This has been the fundamental problem facing Port Adelaide since its inception into the AFL.
In South Australia, you either love them or hate them.
The sad thing is that once upon a time that statement alone would be enough to make a Port supporter smile. They loved being hated. But how things have changed.
Port Adelaide’s storied success in the SANFL had two flow on effects. It made them the most supported team in SA. And it made them a lot of enemies.
Even if 30 percent of of the population loves you, that still leaves 70 percent who hate you. There is no middle ground. Not when it comes to Port Adelaide.
The situation was made worse when they made a bid to enter the AFL. The other SANFL teams felt like Port were being too big for their boots and the SANFL decided they would prefer a South Australian team with broader appeal.
The SANFL won the bidding process and Port Adelaide were left even more alienated from the rest of the SA footballing public. Here was what seemed like every other team in SA pooling there resources to spite Port Adelaide, which in effect is exactly what happened.
Even before a ball was kicked, Port supporters hated these new imposters. Inevitably, Port Adelaide would get their day, but the mould had already been set.
The Crows were established as a team with broad appeal, a team for South Australia. They wore the state colours and even grabbed some of the best players Port had to offer in the SANFL.
When Port joined, they got what was left over in the marketing pool – Port supporters – and little attempt was made to broaden that appeal to a wider audience.
So not only did they have a late start to the league, but they were burdened with their history. Great if you are a Port supporter, but the reality is that most people from South Austraia were not.
Along the way they made a few mistakes and alienated some of their core supporters, however, amazingly still found the occasional convert. Success always helps with that. And in their short history Port has had a few good days.
But Port’s attempts to escape their current woes, whilst the result of many factors, is handicapped by the arrogance of previous generations.
Their marketing strategy is clever, with a lot of focus on gaining the support of the next generation of footy fans, however, that will takes years for that generation to be in the same proportions that the Crows currently enjoy (though seemingly fickle given their current issues).
So bring on the bad puns about ‘Power failures’ and long may they last. The AFL won’t let Port Adelaide die out (sadly) so let the rest of us South Australians enjoy the moment.
Sure the Crows have been rubbish and are broke themselves, yet their supporters still wear a smile on their face. It could be worse.
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