AFL 2023: Port Adelaide will carry Bar Guernsey by agreement with Collingwood Prison
Port Adelaide President David Koch and his Collingwood counterpart Jeff Browne have agreed that power will carry Guernsey Prison in 2023.
Port Adelaide has earned the right to once again wear its historic prison bar, Guernsey, at AFL level.
After settling with Collingwood, the Power can wear the traditional black and white stripe when they host Adelaide in next month’s third-round showdown.
The agreement is only for this year but the Force will continue talks with the Magpies to wear the Guernsey at every home showdown.
Port Adelaide President David Koch said on Friday it would make the Round 3 clash a special occasion.
“Ultimately, this magnificent black and white Guernsey belongs to our people. It’s the Guernsey of our people,” he said.
“Our community has been overwhelmed in their desire to see Port Adelaide carry this Guernsey back in the AFL.
“This result is for our loyal community made up of members, supporters, partners, staff, volunteers, players and former players.
“This is for the entire Port Adelaide family. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that the fans are at the heart of our game.
“Our fans have been asking about this Guernsey. They understand more than anyone else the importance of heritage and tradition and we are delighted to be carrying that Guernsey back to our people.
“This Guernsey has been the foundation of our club since 1902 and represents all those who have made Port Adelaide the club it is today.
“And there’s no better time to wear that Guernsey than against our South Australian rivals. Our players will wear this traditional Guernsey with great pride on the national stage to celebrate and honor the legacy of those who came before us.”
The decision comes as former Collingwood President Eddie McGuire continues to claim the power has signed a deal with the AFL saying it would not use the design.
However, incoming President Jeff Browne agreed to the concession.
“While we own the stripes in AFL competition, we recognize the history and origins of Port Adelaide Football Club and its contribution to SA football over a long period,” he said.
Browne said the two clubs had worked productively on the issue.
“We’ve worn black and white stripes since Collingwood Football Club was formed in 1892. The Collingwood jumper is part of the fabric of our club and one of the most iconic in Australian football,” he said.
“When Port Adelaide joined the AFL in 1997 a binding agreement was signed between the club and Collingwood whereby Port abandoned the black and white colors and magpie emblem as part of their entry into national competition.
“As President of the Club Board, and following ongoing discussions with Port Adelaide President David Koch, we believe we recognize Port Adelaide’s history prior to their entry into the AFL and support them to continue their prison bar-Guernsey in their to wear forthcoming home showdown against the Crows in Round 3.
“We face Port Adelaide in Round 2 of the MCG and we urge supporters from both clubs to attend and encourage all members and supporters of Collingwood and Port Adelaide from SA to travel to Victoria for the game.”
Koch said he looks forward to further discussions with Browne and Magpies chief executive Craig Kelly about the possibility of carrying the Prison Bars Guernseys into home showdowns beyond this season.
“Collingwood President Jeff Browne and Chief Executive Craig Kelly have been extremely manageable in these discussions,” he said.
“There is genuine goodwill at Collingwood and an understanding that heritage is important to all clubs, not least Port Adelaide. We thank them for their collegial approach.
“We look forward to continuing our positive discussions with Collingwood regarding wearing our black and white Prison Bar Guernsey over the next year and beyond.”
Port Adelaide has worn the prison bar jumper five times at the AFL level and in the SANFL since 1902.
The Power were able to wear the Guernsey at the 2020 home showdown as part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
The club then proposed that players should be able to wear the Prison-Bar-Guernsey in all home games against Adelaide. However, the matter devolved into a he-said-she-said argument over who gets to wear the black-and-white sweater.
Former and current Port Adelaide officials denied the club had ever signed such a deal.
In 2021, when the AFL banned the Power from donning the sweater, Port Adelaide transformed themselves into Guernsey after defeating the Crows in the showdown for his team song.
It was revealed last year that Collingwood would be willing to allow the Force to don an alternative Guernsey with a prison bar in Showdowns from 2023 – as long as it featured teal panels instead of white.
The two clubs will set buses from Adelaide to Melbourne for the Round 2 clash in hopes of a big crowd at the MCG.
Originally released as AFL 2023: Port Adelaide will carry its historic prison bar after an agreement is reached with Collingwood
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https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-2023-port-adelaide-will-wear-its-historic-prisonbar-after-coming-to-an-agreement-with-collingwood/news-story/7e0e1fd7f3c6c4e62abffb3e3769e0d2?nk=6a8f014cd25449fcbc5c900e7dc4fb54-1678481225 AFL 2023: Port Adelaide will carry Bar Guernsey by agreement with Collingwood Prison