Port Adelaide club president David Koch believes he has been “played” by Collingwood after the Power’s request to wear its heritage prison bar jersey was again rejected by the Magpies.
Speaking on FIVEaa radio, Koch said Port did “the right thing” and lodged the jumper application with the AFL in March to bring it into the Round 23 showdown.
Koch did not hold back when asked about claims the Magpies told him Port’s jump request would be refused in March.
Watch all of this weekend’s AFL games live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
“This is the biggest load of rot I’ve ever heard,” Koch said.
“In fact, two weeks ago Collingwood president Jeff Browne called me out of the blue and said, ‘Kochie look mate, we take your request very seriously, we understand how important it is to your members , we get the story behind this… I’ve been getting opinions in both Melbourne and South Australia and I’m putting it on my board (last week) and I don’t want to get your hopes up but I’m pretty sure we could have good news for you.’
“So it was just two weeks ago, the president of the Collingwood Football Club called me out of the blue and said this.”
A Port fan holds up a Prison Bar Bridge sign during the 2021 Round 8 clash. Picture: Sarah ReedFont: Getty Images
Koch claimed Collingwood had taken advantage of the club as the debate continues over whether the power should be allowed to wear its prison bar strip.
“Remember Collingwood has always said, ‘We have black and white in the AFL/VFL.’ They are our colors, as if you could have two colors. Don’t get me started on that,” he said.
“At the weekend, Collingwood VFL played the Southport Sharks of the VFL, who are black and white. So why can’t we play in our traditional Guernsey prison bar, Showdown in Adelaide, that’s it. No against Collingwood. Not for the rest of the year. I don’t think that’s reasonable.
NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST – R20 Wrap: “Arrogant” Blues On Fire, Danger’s Best Flag Chance
Listen below or subscribe to Apple Podcasts or Spotify
“I can’t help but feel that we have been played into this to be nice and a little tricked by the club and also by the conversations I’ve had with the chairman.
“It just goes to show, dare I say it, the pettiness of it that it’s gone completely out of control. I don’t know if it’s a case of the big Victorian clubs going back to saying, ‘Hey, just leave the interested, the clubs of South Australia”. We do this competition, you do what we say'”.
When Port Adelaide entered the competition in 1997, an agreement was made that the prison bar jersey would only be worn in the AFL’s Heritage round.
But there is no longer a dedicated round for the AFL, with clubs opting to hold their own heritage celebrations each year.
“Yes, an agreement was signed when we entered the AFL, that was 30 years ago. Times have changed and clubs are celebrating their heritage,” Koch said.
Port Adelaide Power Press Conference | 05:23
“Why can’t we declare a Showdown as a celebration of our heritage?
“I’m furious because we’ve done the right thing, we’ve done it quietly, and I can’t help but feel like that good nature has been played with.
“You see virtually every club in the AFL is allowed to play in their Guernsey heritage this year … but we’re not allowed to do the same.”
Koch later added in a statement: “We’ve certainly moved past these petty arguments and recognize that this is one of those things where it’s time to change and move the game forward, as a truly national competition that recognizes the rich heritage that all we bring
“We’re not asking to wear it every week, it’s for the Showdowns, in Adelaide, to celebrate the rich heritage of Port Adelaide and South Australian football. It just seems logical, does no harm to any body and promotes the history of Australian football.
“At a time when the game’s No. 1 issue is fan engagement and attendance, it’s such an easy fix.
“What we’re asking is totally reasonable. To bring our iconic Prison Bar Guernsey to Showdowns to celebrate the heritage of Port Adelaide and South Australian football. Not against Collingwood, just twice a year, in Adelaide. I don’t see how it negatively affects anyone.”
Last year, Power was threatened with the loss of premiership points if he wore the prison bar jumper for the Showdown, against the AFL’s ruling.
So the team waited until after the game to leave their playing field and enter the Guernsey Prison bar.