Why should anyone support Port Adelaide?

You have no idea mate. We get over 18k at least for the ten years! Do the math on all vic clubs and see how they go.

Because a patient fan, can be a happy fan.

Port Adelaide Power worry about North Adelaide hostility? Is that a joke? Just nonsense. The games are at Adelaide Oval, not at Prospect Hahahah another indignant rant like above, and totally read out of context from what I can gather. You are on fire Walt. North Adelaide, as in the area (you know the place where the oval is) is largely 'hostile' to ANY outside group taking over the area. The parking example given above is just one, but just wait and see what places like the Archer and the Oxford will do when 10,000 bogans rock up in O'Connel Street wanting a beer. These places are packed on Fridays and don't need the business. When you see 'No Football Colours etc' signs on the pub doors, it might become apparent to you.

"And for all Centrals success – crowds at Elizabeth are still less than Alberton crowds" WRONG, unfortunately for you many will notice this. Did you actually check this before posting an indignant rant?

Well one has to ask, where did the break even figure of 28k a game come from if not based on marketing and projections done by both Port and the SANFL before the stadium deal was arranged? They didn't pluck it out of thin air Walt. Bucky Cunningham even once stated (probably out of his admirable passion for the club rather than a factual statement) that Port fans would pack out Football Park once they got into the AFL, it hasn't exactly turned out that way.

Yep, page 16 SANFL Benchmarking Document. Port have not had a bigger average home attendance than Centrals since 2005. I suppose you got that Alberton figure from the water cooler?

First thing, you are assuming games on Friday night with your work comment. What makes you think you will get more than 1 or 2 night Friday games a year? What happens at 5pm on a Sunday? The thousands who wouldn't drive 10 minutes to AAMI will suddenly happily go to the city? Prospect? What are you talking about? The oval is in the suburb of North Adelaide. If you think the locals (who are incredibly protective of the suburb) are happy about having 20,000 footy fans rock up each week you are deluded. Want to test it, park in a reserved residential park. See what happens..............................

Easy, because Port stated in 1996 that they would get 35,000 a game, they haven't delivered. If you can't recall that Port guaranteed 35,000 then you were either a kid in 1996 or your memory is selective. Your last sentence is hilarious, you bag others out for not researching and then come up with a figure that is non-existent. I suggest you look at SANFL home attendances for the last 5 years, not once have Port had more than Centrals, not once. This is a fact, not an opinion. Read the SANFL annual report, but I guess its easier to make stuff up when it suits you.

Oh, and by the way, I haven't missed a home game this year.

OK Bayman, who are these Port supporters who have always told us they were different. I have been a Port supporter for over half a century and I have found Port supporters are no different to any other supporters. Sure, we have been spoilt by the success of the Magpies over the years. But we have also had many down years and have suffered many humiliations. You obviously mix in different circles to me, I was brought up to have friendly banter before a game but there was to be no boasting or ridiculing if we won. However, all through school and later through my adult years I have been ridiculed and berated simply because I supported Port. I have many friends who support different teams and we seem to be able to talk about football without being nasty or vitriolic. I know when someone is being hateful and with bile. Sad to say those I run into who are full of hatred and bile are mainly those Crows supporters with limited knowledge of football and its history. They are extremely jealous of the Port Adelaide history and tradition. As I said, I probably mix in very different social circles to you, I find generally most supporters are the same - on top of the world when winning and down in the dumps when losing. My Port Adelaide friends & I have never rubbished another side just because they are on the bottom of ladder.

Guys, I'm not sure that Mad Chatter has done much more than ask why has Port Adelaide fallen so low in the supporter stakes. I certainly didn't detect any "hatred and bile", Brian T. With a name like Bayman you don't need me to tell you I'm no fan of Port Adelaide in any of its guises (Power or Magpie) but Mad Chatter's query is relevant - where have the Port fans gone? Chatter's absolutely right when he wrote "These people have long bragged about being the most loyal, passionate, committed through thick-and-thin footy supporters going around". It was easy to do it when the SANFL Maggies were playing in every second grand final flag since the year dot and winning at least half of them - with six in a row in the 1950s. Loyalty in football terms, however, is not tested when you are winning, it's tested when you are losing - and losing regularly. Like now. It turns out that Port fans are no different to anybody else - they like winning and aren't very fond of losing. It's no great surprise to anyone except it was the Port fans who used to tell us they were different and now we find they're just normal. The bottom line then is that some Port fans are not putting their money where they used to put their mouth. Port Adelaide Football Club has always been renowned for its courage and its character. In my day they won premierships with the second or third best team in the SANFL - but they still won. They demanded and got respect because of their attitude and their application when it counted. It would be nice if some of those supporters who, apparently, took this as a given and a birth right would now provide the club with that same brand of courage, character and commitment. The evidence currently suggests that most of those so-called supporters were no more than a bunch of down-hill skiers. Now they are being challenged they find the task just too hard. Port fans, you either love the club or you do not. Only you will truly know. Personally, I hate Port Adelaide and always have. I've also donated money to the club, in terms of supporting fund-raising, because I think it's important that this club survives to be hated afresh by the next generation. It wouldn't really be footy without Port Adelaide. Long may it survive (if not prosper).

I think the Mad Chatter is a coward. His wording reeks of cowardice, like a wimp who kicks a strong man when he is unconcious on the ground. Port Adelaide has one of the best records in the AFL since their entry back in 1997. How many teams have a better than 50 per cent win/loss ratio, two GF appearances and 1 Premiership in that time? They are still, and always will be, a GREAT Club. Yes, this is a terrible season for them, like seasons that Collingwood, Geelong, Hawthorn etc have all endured in the last 10 years. Mad Chatter, get a life, get rid of your hatred and bile, and enjoy our great game.

Well for one thing, so many Port Adelaide supporters no longer live on the peninsula. Times change, demographics change and people move to where the jobs are. They live closer to the city, northern suburbs industrial areas and quite a few down south. Do Crow supporters all live 5 minutes from The Parade? Of course not. Did Bomber fans stop going to the footy after the move from Windy Hill? Bulldog fans after leaving Western Oval? No - crowds increased because people like going to the footy in the city. They work in the city and want to be in the city after the game. Port Adelaide Power worry about North Adelaide hostility? Is that a joke? Just nonsense. The games are at Adelaide Oval, not at Prospect. Port Adelaide should be making a profit at Adelaide Oval with 25000 people - thats the bottom line. If Gold Coast or Western Sydney were averaging 25000 - Andy D and the AFL would be falling all over themselves with the group hug. Heck, if most sporting organisations around the world could regularly attract 25000 people - they would want to know where they have to sign. AFL football, regardless of the club has to be in the CBD. Hostile territory - oh brother...

Frankly, if a team based in Adelaide cannot achieve 28k for a home game, it does not belong in the AFL regardless of ownership, marketing and on-field performance. What leads you to this assumption? I say assumption because it is clear you have done about as much research as you suppose Rucci has done. None. Like most people in Adelaide you just start ranting water-cooler figures and hoping nobody notices. You are also one of those who has no idea - but not a Port supporter, so it is ok. And for all Centrals success - crowds at Elizabeth are still less than Alberton crowds. Whats your mob doing wrong?

"The move to Adelaide Oval in 2014 is not the panacea for Port’s ills, which go much deeper than anything a simple venue change can cure." Exactly. AAMI Stadium = western suburbs of Adelaide, and in the heartland of Port Adelaide supporting territory. In the old SANFL days, you used to dread having to play Port there as it was almost a second home for them and was essentially an away game in terms of support. Alberton is about a 5-10 minute drive to AAMI as well. Adelaide Oval = miles from the western suburbs and Alberton, in what is 'hostile' territory as hardly anybody in North Adelaide and environs would support Port and has no real links to the club. We shall see what happens, but if anyone thinks Port are going to attract an extra 10k just by playing at Adelaide Oval (once the novelty factor wears off), they are seriously deluded.

Here we go, Port fans and the conspiracy theories. I have never heard anyone in the SANFL, at any level, mention 1990 for years except for Port fans. As a Central District fan I couldn't care less what Port tried to do 20 years ago now, its old hat and most of the clubs have moved on, save for Port Adelaide itself. Most SANFL fans have had their vengeance on a frankly insipid Port Magpies team in the SANFL over the last 10 years, and the idea that they are still feared and hated is frankly hilarious and reveals the bipolar superiorty/persecution complex Port fans have. Centrals have won their last 12 games against the Magpies, I certainly don't see any lingering resentment coming from the Dogs fans, rather a sense of pity for a once great adversary whose time is almost up. The fact is that the stadium deal was worked out based on Port Adelaide's OWN estimates of what crowds they would get in the AFL, the much-stated figure of 35,000 per game was given, and hence 28,000 was deemed to be the break even figure. Now, because Port haven't achieved this, apparently it is the SANFL's fault and now must change the goal posts to accomodate Port's every whim. Frankly, if a team based in Adelaide cannot achieve 28k for a home game, it does not belong in the AFL regardless of ownership, marketing and on-field performance. The rest is smokescreens and scape-goating. Most Port fans really have no idea, they are rehashing M Rucci's tired and paranoid delusions without doing any research to see if what he is saying is true (and it is certainly not.)

Whats this? An article smashing the AFLs worst team! What a concept! It takes a lot of guts to kick a team while it is down. Somebody call the Pulitzer Prize committee because we have a hard-hitting, take no prisoners journalist here who is no afraid to take on a team on its knees. Seriously though, havent we read this article in April? And May? And June, July and now August. Nothing new here. What? Port is down and the supporters are frustrated. What insight! If anyone wants to improve their status in the football community, whether on the field, in the boardrooms or even writing about the club - start working on ways to get Port back in its feet. It is the hardest job in football right now and the star will rise for anybody who achieves it.

Port is one of Australia's most famous clubs. Formed in 1870, I daresay it's one of the oldest continuing clubs as well. It won a flag in 2004, its 8th season in the big league, and was runners up only 4 short years ago (admittedly, against the odds - but that's Port). It will survive - one team has to finish bottom each year, and Port did it this year. I just read that the Demons have a new major sponsorship worth $6 million over the next 3 years. This is double the value of their current sponsorship. The Dees haven't won a flag in 47 years, the second oldest drought. So plenty of hope for Port.

Port will be playing finals in 2013. Bookmark it. It's the under-resourced coaching panel that's the main issue. Get Dean Bailey back and some others to support Primus, clear out the distracting Cornes influence and further investments in a solid group of youngsters like Boak, Hartlett, Butcher and Trengove, and they're sitting much better than their current position would suggest.

What a pathetic question. As if Port Adelaide are the only team in the AFL to have a down period. Perhaps the quesation should be: Why would anyone want to support melbourne, Western Bulldogs, Richmond or Freo. At least Port have won a flag in this decade. Port have an excellent list of young players and with the right support staff around Primus will climb back up the ladder. Why dont you go and analyse some of the real underpermoning clubs.