“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.
Tony
Guest
Oh how those cocky Cows supporters cone out of the woodwork when Port are down! I suggest they look at the ladder & reflect on their own state in life
Sooperfish
Guest
I have disliked Port my entire life. Even back in the prime days of SANFL, watching Port and the Redlegs on a weekend. Nothing has been more enjoyable than watching Port Power for the last 2 years. My heart glows just that little bit warmer after every Port loss. Keep it up Port, may your next five years be as entertaining as the last two.
Damo
Roar Guru
AS another passionate crows supporter all i'll say is don't throw stones. We're not doing much better mate, and karma's a bitch. Also, thanks for making us look as immature, narrow minded and shallow as you clearly are when it comes to footy. Write about real issues don't just regurgitate well known history facts to look high and mighty
Ash
Guest
Plonker - your post lives up to your name. Where are your facts backing up your assertion about Port being anything like Fitzroy? Get someone to read these facts to you.... leading up to their demise, Fitzroy: averaged home crowds of 9k to its home games (Port are averaging its worst ever figure of 22k this year), did not play finals for 10 seasons leading up to its merger (Port has contested finals in 6 of the last 11 seasons, made the GF in 2007, and won the premiership in 2004), had won an average of 6.5 games PER SEASON in its final 10 years (Port had the best win-loss record in the league from 2001-2005), had around 5k members (Port has 35k) and had virtually no sponsors (Port currently have multiple major sponsors). Try checking your facts before spouting your ignorant drivel. The Adelaide Crows, like Port Adelaide, have dwindling crowds, large debts and are turning in annual losses - so the issues Port face are compounded by general problems facing South Australian footy.
Leigh
Guest
A bit sad that Cochese can access a medium to peddle such crapp. I think cows supporters with attitudes like yours, should be more worried that their club with 70% support, cannot get within 20,000 of filling AAMI stadium, and cannot make a profit. Even more curios is the fact that Adelaide have a similar demographic to the West Coast Eagles and who make multi million dollar profits each year, Adelaide must therefore be a poorly run club.
Plonker
Guest
If Port fans do not begin getting along to games and the move to Adelaide Oval is a failure. The license will be reallocated to either Tasmania, Canberra, Perth or will be taken back by the AFL to shrink the league. They are exactly like Fitzroy was in their final hours now. Don't think Port fans have grasped that fact. They are too big a drain on AFL finances to keep bankrolling them indefinately.