Initial club president John Hart Jr., alongside his father, were the founders of the club-operated 'The Adelaide Milling and Mercantile Company' in Port Adelaide, which employed Kaurna people alongside non-indigenous workers as early as the 1850s.
Since its founding, the club has won an unequalled 36 SANFL premierships and 4 Championship of Australia titles, in addition to an AFL Premiership in 2004. Founded in 1870, the club is the oldest professional football club in South Australia and the fifth-oldest club in the AFL.
Following its entry to the AFL, the club adopted the colours of teal and silver, in order to differentiate it from Collingwood. == Club history == === 1870–1901: Early years === Port Adelaide was formed on 12 May 1870 as a joint football and cricket club, created by locals to benefit the growing number of workers associated with nearby wharves and industries.
In its first season during 1870 the club invited local brass bands to play during the club's first games at Glanville.
The logo features the "PA" acronym, 1870 to acknowledge the foundation year, the black-and-white prison bars, the chevron design of the AFL guernsey and a teal outline.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was not played in the 2020 or 2021 AFL seasons. == Club honour boards == === Honour Board === In the Port Adelaide clubrooms at Alberton Oval there is a large wooden honour board with gold text that details every season of the club from 1870 to the present. ==== SANFL Honour Board (Post AFL Entry) ==== === Hall of Fame === Port Adelaide launched the club Hall of Fame on 20 February 1998, when it inducted inaugural 18 members into the Hall of Fame.
Prior to 1877, football in South Australia was yet to be formally organised by a single body and as a result there were two main sets of rules in use across the state.
The revitalisation had immediate results, helping Port Adelaide win a third premiership in 1897, one of only four occurrences since 1877 where a team won a premiership after finishing last the previous year.
The two clubs met for the first time in 1878, where Port Adelaide hosted Norwood, with the visitors winning 1–0.
In an effort to create a common set of rules, Port Adelaide was invited to join seven other clubs in the formation of the South Australian Football Association (SAFA), the first ever governing body of Australian rules football. In 1879, the club played reigning Victorian Football Association (VFA) premiers Geelong at Adelaide Oval in what was Port Adelaide's first game against an interstate club.
The club was forced to cease using the ground following 1879, as the property was sold at an auction. ==== Alberton Oval (1880–present) ==== Alberton Oval has been Port Adelaide's home ground in the SANFL since 1880, excluding 1975 and 1976.
The club has played at their SANFL home ground, Alberton Oval, since 1880 and has used their AFL home ground, Adelaide Oval, since 2014.
The club was forced to cease using the ground following 1879, as the property was sold at an auction. ==== Alberton Oval (1880–present) ==== Alberton Oval has been Port Adelaide's home ground in the SANFL since 1880, excluding 1975 and 1976.
It was decided that the club would use Alberton Oval for the 1880 season.
On 15 May 1880, Port Adelaide played its first match at Alberton Oval.
In 1882 a song based on Harry Clifton's "Work, Boys, Work (and be contented)" was written for the club as a tribute to the recently retired player Thomas Smith.
However, the rivalry between the two clubs would first begin in 1882, where Port Adelaide's first win over Norwood was controversially overruled by the league, with a follow-up game overshadowed by a misunderstanding at the gate which almost prevented Norwood players accessing the venue. The clubs met in 14 Grand Finals prior to Port Adelaide's accession into the AFL and share over 60 premierships between them.
It played its first match outside of South Australia two years later, when it travelled to Victoria to contest a game against the Sale Football Club. The club won its first premiership in 1884, when it ended Norwood's run of six consecutive premierships.
In 1884, Port Adelaide won the premiership, bringing Norwood's run of six premierships in a row to an end.
The club won its first premiership in 1884, while its most recent senior level premiership was in 2004.
It later contested the SAFA's first grand final in 1889, as Port Adelaide and Norwood had finished the season with equal minor round records.
Port Adelaide won its second SAFA premiership the following year, and went on to be crowned "Champions of Australia" for the first time after defeating VFA premiers South Melbourne. As the 1890s continued, Australia was affected by a severe depression that forced many players to move interstate to find work.
Harry Hewitt was named in Port Adelaide's side when they defeated Fitzroy by two goals on Adelaide Oval in 1891 and is the club's first known Indigenous Australian player.
By 1896, the club was in crisis and finished last, causing the club's committee to meet with the aim of revitalising the club.
The revitalisation had immediate results, helping Port Adelaide win a third premiership in 1897, one of only four occurrences since 1877 where a team won a premiership after finishing last the previous year.
Stan Malin won Port Adelaide's first Magarey Medal in 1899. During the 19th century the club had nicknames including the Cockledivers, the Seaside Men, the Seasiders and the Magentas.
In 1900, Port finished bottom in the six-team competition, which it has not done in any senior league since. === 1902–1915: 'Prison Bars' and the 'Invincibles' === Port Adelaide began wearing black and white guernseys in 1902 after it was having trouble finding dyes that would last for its blue and magenta guernseys.
During the early 1900s, it was commonplace that touring teams would wear numbers, allowing spectators to identify unknown footballers.
The original club crest, adopted in 1900, featured a tan football and magpies perched on a gum tree with a black and white striped flag on the left and the Australian Red Ensign on the right.
Port Adelaide first adopted the colours black and white in 1902, with their 'Prison Bar' guernsey.
In 1900, Port finished bottom in the six-team competition, which it has not done in any senior league since. === 1902–1915: 'Prison Bars' and the 'Invincibles' === Port Adelaide began wearing black and white guernseys in 1902 after it was having trouble finding dyes that would last for its blue and magenta guernseys.
After finishing the 1902 season on top of the ladder, Port Adelaide was disqualified from their finals game against after the club disputed the use of an unaccredited umpire.
The 1902 SAFA premiership was subsequently awarded to North Adelaide after they defeated South Adelaide in the Grand Final a week later.
The club first adopted the guernsey in the 1902 season, after having difficulty finding magenta and blue dyes that could repeatedly last the rigours of an Australian rules football match.
The Fos Williams Family Stand is the oldest remaining structure at Alberton Oval, first constructed in 1903.
Port Adelaide won the premiership the following year. In the early 1910s, Port Adelaide became a consistent premiership contender, setting up the club to win three more Championships of Australia.
Port Adelaide won the South Australian Football League (SAFL) premiership in 1910 defeating Sturt 8.12 (60) to 5.11 (41) in the Grand Final.
The club would go on to defeat Collingwood for the 1910 Championship of Australia title, and Western Australian Football League (WAFL) premiers East Fremantle in an exhibition match.
The ensign switched to blue sporadically through the 1910s before the flags were dropped in 1928.
Although Port Adelaide had success in the minor rounds the following two seasons, dropping only one game in 1911 and going undefeated in 1912, it was knocked out of contention by West Adelaide both times.
Although Port Adelaide had success in the minor rounds the following two seasons, dropping only one game in 1911 and going undefeated in 1912, it was knocked out of contention by West Adelaide both times.
The club won the SAFL premiership in 1913, dropping only two games during the minor round and defeating North Adelaide in the Grand Final.
They also defeated Fitzroy for the 1913 Championship of Australia. The 1914 Port Adelaide Football Club season is widely regarded as one of the best in Australian rules football history.
Port Adelaide has repeatedly asserted itself as a dominant force within South Australian football, going undefeated in all competitions in 1914, and enjoying sustained periods of success under coaches Fos Williams and John Cahill, sharing a combined 19 premierships between them.
They also defeated Fitzroy for the 1913 Championship of Australia. The 1914 Port Adelaide Football Club season is widely regarded as one of the best in Australian rules football history.
The club won all its pre-season matches, won all fourteen SAFL games and the 1914 SAFL Grand Final where it held North Adelaide to a single goal for the match 13.15 (93) to 1.8 (14).
At the end of the 1914 season, a combined team from the six other SAFL clubs played Port Adelaide and lost to the subsequently-dubbed "Invincibles" by 58 points. === 1916–1949: Two World Wars and the Great Depression === Port Adelaide's early-century success was hindered by World War I.
The club suffered six player casualties during the war. Just as had happened in 1914, the league was hit hard by player losses in World War II.
The following year, Port Adelaide won the premiership to break a 12-year drought. The 1980 season was Port Adelaide's most dominant since 1914.
The club's win-loss record was 19–2 with one draw and a of 65.31, its best percentage since 1914. Following the 1982 season, Cahill was offered a contract by to coach their club in the VFL.
The club was first granted the right to wear an AFL-approved Prison Bar guernsey (a replica of the 1914 premiership design) in the heritage round of the 2003 season.
In 2014, the AFL declined Port Adelaide permission to wear its traditional guernsey for celebrating of 100 years since its 1914 Championship of Australia.
At the end of the 1914 season, a combined team from the six other SAFL clubs played Port Adelaide and lost to the subsequently-dubbed "Invincibles" by 58 points. === 1916–1949: Two World Wars and the Great Depression === Port Adelaide's early-century success was hindered by World War I.
A scaled-back competition referred to as the 'Patriotic League' was organised during wartime in which Port Adelaide won the 1916 and 1917 instalments.
A scaled-back competition referred to as the 'Patriotic League' was organised during wartime in which Port Adelaide won the 1916 and 1917 instalments.
After eventually winning the 1921 premiership under the captaincy of Harold Oliver, many of Port Adelaide's champion players from before the war started to retire and the club's performance declined.
It won only a single premiership between 1922 and 1935. By the mid 1930s, Port Adelaide's form began to recover.
1 guernsey ==== The tradition dictating that the captain of the Port Adelaide Football Club wear the number one guernsey started when Clifford Keal wore the number as club captain for the first time in 1924.
Since 1924, there have been few exceptions to the tradition.
The design bearing the black square eventually became the design of choice until 1928.
The club introduced a 'permanent' white panel for the 1928 season, which would remain until the club was forced to merge with West Torrens during WWII.
The ensign switched to blue sporadically through the 1910s before the flags were dropped in 1928.
The tradition was cemented, at least in the view of then-secretary Charles Hayter, when in 1929 he received a letter from a junior Kilkenny player requesting a number one Port Adelaide guernsey as he had just become captain of his underage team.
It won only a single premiership between 1922 and 1935. By the mid 1930s, Port Adelaide's form began to recover.
From 1930 until 2019, the logo always featured a dexter (left-facing) magpie, perched upon a gum branch (1930 to 1953) or a fence wire (1954 to 1974).
It suffered two narrow grand final losses in 1934 and 1935, before winning consecutive premierships the following two years.
It won only a single premiership between 1922 and 1935. By the mid 1930s, Port Adelaide's form began to recover.
It suffered two narrow grand final losses in 1934 and 1935, before winning consecutive premierships the following two years.
During 1939, Bob Quinn, in his third year as a player for the club, coached the team to a Grand Final win over West Torrens.
Due to a lack of able men, the league's eight teams were reduced to four and Port Adelaide temporarily merged with nearby West Torrens from 1942 to 1944.
The joint club played in all three Grand Finals during this period, winning the 1942 instalment, but losing the 1943 and 1944 editions to the Norwood-North Adelaide combination.
Port Adelaide has had two notable periods of success under the leadership of Fos Williams, who coached 9 premierships, and John Cahill, who coached 10. ^ Won the 1942 premiership as a merged team with West Torrens.
The joint club played in all three Grand Finals during this period, winning the 1942 instalment, but losing the 1943 and 1944 editions to the Norwood-North Adelaide combination.
Due to a lack of able men, the league's eight teams were reduced to four and Port Adelaide temporarily merged with nearby West Torrens from 1942 to 1944.
The joint club played in all three Grand Finals during this period, winning the 1942 instalment, but losing the 1943 and 1944 editions to the Norwood-North Adelaide combination.
While normal competition resumed in 1945, Port Adelaide was unable to regain its pre-war success in the rest of the decade.
In particular, it lost the 1945 SANFL Grand Final after a remarkable comeback from West Torrens.
The first ever 'All-Australian' side concept was created by Sporting Life magazine in 1947 and Bob Quinn was named in the side. === 1950–1973: Fos Williams era and Jack Oatey rivalry === During the 1950s, Port Adelaide reestablished itself as a perennial contender, winning seven premierships.
At the end of the 1949, having missed two finals series in a row, the Port Adelaide Football Club's committee sought out a coach that could win the club its next premiership.
The first ever 'All-Australian' side concept was created by Sporting Life magazine in 1947 and Bob Quinn was named in the side. === 1950–1973: Fos Williams era and Jack Oatey rivalry === During the 1950s, Port Adelaide reestablished itself as a perennial contender, winning seven premierships.
In his second season as player-coach in 1951, Williams led the club to their first standalone premiership in 12 seasons, defeating North Adelaide by 11 points.
In the 1951 post-season, Port Adelaide lost an exhibition match to VFL premiers . In the mid-1950s, Port Adelaide and Melbourne, often the premiers of South Australian and Victorian leagues respectively, played exhibition matches at Norwood Oval.
The club reintroduced the panel in 1953 and has since continuously used it in the SANFL.
From 1930 until 2019, the logo always featured a dexter (left-facing) magpie, perched upon a gum branch (1930 to 1953) or a fence wire (1954 to 1974).
That year, the club won the premiership and equalled a national record of six consecutive Grand Final victories, having won each premiership from 1954 to 1959.
The most notable game was the 1955 match, which had an estimated crowd of 23,000.
The match went down to the last 15 seconds when Frank Adams kicked a decisive behind to give Melbourne a one-point victory. Geof Motley took over the captain-coaching role at the club in 1959 when Williams retired from his playing career and also took a break from coaching.
That year, the club won the premiership and equalled a national record of six consecutive Grand Final victories, having won each premiership from 1954 to 1959.
In 1960, Norwood brought Port Adelaide's own record run of six premierships to an end defeating them by 27 points in the 1960 Preliminary Final.
Both were named after the redevelopment of the Eastern Stand at the ground, and are featured alongside other famous individuals from the SANFL and . === Club creed === Fos Williams authored the club's creed in 1962. ==Rivalries== ===AFL=== ====Adelaide==== Port Adelaide has a fierce rivalry with fellow South Australian AFL team Adelaide.
Richie Bray became the club's first known Indigenous player to win a premiership, featuring in the 1962, 1963 and 1965 premierships winning teams. Port Adelaide has been represented by 62 indigenous players across the SANFL and AFL competitions throughout its history.
Richie Bray became the club's first known Indigenous player to win a premiership, featuring in the 1962, 1963 and 1965 premierships winning teams. Port Adelaide has been represented by 62 indigenous players across the SANFL and AFL competitions throughout its history.
In 1965 he coached his ninth and last premiership in front of 62,543 people, the largest-ever crowd at Adelaide Oval.
After the 1965 Grand Final, Port Adelaide's success was limited by the dominance of Sturt, which won seven premierships over this period under the leadership of Jack Oatey.
Richie Bray became the club's first known Indigenous player to win a premiership, featuring in the 1962, 1963 and 1965 premierships winning teams. Port Adelaide has been represented by 62 indigenous players across the SANFL and AFL competitions throughout its history.
When Motley handed the captaincy to John Cahill in 1967, at the insistence of coach Fos Williams, the tradition of Port Adelaide captains wearing the number one guernsey resumed.
The song remained in use until 1971, when Port Adelaide secretary Bob McLean decided to change the club song to "Cheer, Cheer the Black and the White" after hearing the South Melbourne Football Club's song based on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team's "Victory March".
Quinn MM Grandstand, was first opened in 1972.
After retiring from playing in 1973 and following the departure of Fos Williams to West Adelaide in 1974, he took over as coach and began another era of premiership success for the club.
Despite playing in 6 of the next 10 grand finals, Port Adelaide failed to win another premiership in that span. === 1974–1996: John Cahill, SANFL domination and AFL licence === One of Port Adelaide's leading players during the Fos Williams era was John Cahill.
After retiring from playing in 1973 and following the departure of Fos Williams to West Adelaide in 1974, he took over as coach and began another era of premiership success for the club.
From 1930 until 2019, the logo always featured a dexter (left-facing) magpie, perched upon a gum branch (1930 to 1953) or a fence wire (1954 to 1974).
The ground also has the bordering Allan Scott Power Headquarters for the administration of Port Adelaide, which opened in 1999 and is named after the club's initial major sponsor. ==== Football Park (1997–2013) ==== Port Adelaide first played at Football Park on 15 June 1974.
Despite not being officially recognised as a 'home ground' in the SANFL, it hosted night matches for every team, as well as all finals between 1974 and 2014 regardless of 'home' team.
The ground remains the headquarters of Adelaide, though features such as the ground's grandstands have been demolished. ==== Adelaide Oval (2014–present) ==== Since 2014, Adelaide Oval has been the home ground of Port Adelaide's AFL team, shared with . Adelaide Oval has historically been used for SANFL Finals (until 1974) and the Championship of Australia match.
Its role as the primary venue for SANFL finals was supplanted by Football Park in 1974, following disagreements between the SANFL and South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Following extensive redevelopment in the early 2010s and negotiations between the SANFL and SACA over the use of the ground, the ground was cleared for football usage purposes, allowing Port Adelaide to use the ground as its home ground from the 2014 season onwards.
The last Magpies-specific logo, used by the club between 1975 and 2019 in the SANFL, was situated inside a circular disc as was the case at all other SANFL clubs.
The club was forced to cease using the ground following 1879, as the property was sold at an auction. ==== Alberton Oval (1880–present) ==== Alberton Oval has been Port Adelaide's home ground in the SANFL since 1880, excluding 1975 and 1976.
The oval is also used for training purposes for both AFL and SANFL operations, aside from 1997 through 2001 when SANFL training temporarily moved to Ethelton. In 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide was temporarily locked out of the ground following a dispute between the Port Adelaide Council, the SANFL and the Club over seating arrangements at the ground.
In 1975, the SANFL refused to accept the offer for the ground provided by the council, resulting in the temporary suspension of Port Adelaide's lease on the ground.
During 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide sold some of their home games (to be played at their temporary home, Adelaide Oval) to Football Park. Upon the club's entry to the AFL, fellow South Australian club was already using the ground for their home matches.
During the 1975 and 1976 seasons, Port Adelaide's SANFL Team was forced to play out of the ground following their dispute with the local council, using it for both match day playing and training purposes over the period.
In 1976, Cahill took Port Adelaide to its first Grand Final under his leadership, facing Sturt.
The club was forced to cease using the ground following 1879, as the property was sold at an auction. ==== Alberton Oval (1880–present) ==== Alberton Oval has been Port Adelaide's home ground in the SANFL since 1880, excluding 1975 and 1976.
The oval is also used for training purposes for both AFL and SANFL operations, aside from 1997 through 2001 when SANFL training temporarily moved to Ethelton. In 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide was temporarily locked out of the ground following a dispute between the Port Adelaide Council, the SANFL and the Club over seating arrangements at the ground.
During 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide sold some of their home games (to be played at their temporary home, Adelaide Oval) to Football Park. Upon the club's entry to the AFL, fellow South Australian club was already using the ground for their home matches.
During the 1975 and 1976 seasons, Port Adelaide's SANFL Team was forced to play out of the ground following their dispute with the local council, using it for both match day playing and training purposes over the period.
With the 1977 season pending, the issues between the council and the club were resolved and the club was permitted to return that year. The ground possesses two notable grandstands named after individuals important to the club.
The following year, Port Adelaide won the premiership to break a 12-year drought. The 1980 season was Port Adelaide's most dominant since 1914.
He won a further five premierships, totalling a record-equalling ten over his coaching career. Two key events of the late 1980s were attempts by the VFL to further expand outside of Victoria and financial difficulties in the SANFL.
The club's win-loss record was 19–2 with one draw and a of 65.31, its best percentage since 1914. Following the 1982 season, Cahill was offered a contract by to coach their club in the VFL.
In his stead, Russell Ebert became coach in 1983.
John Cahill returned as coach from the 1988 season, winning the premiership that year.
In 1989, seven of the ten SANFL clubs were recording losses and the combined income of the SANFL and WAFL had dropped to 40% of that of the VFL.
During May 1990, the SANFL clubs unanimously accepted a SANFL proposal to not enter a club from South Australia until 1993.
Brownlow Medallist and 1990 Port Adelaide premiership player, Gavin Wanganeen, was signed from Essendon and made captain of a team made up of six existing Port Adelaide players, two from the Adelaide Crows, seven players from other SANFL clubs and 14 recruits from interstate.
Weeks later, Port Adelaide, suffering from a mixture of ambition and frustration, started secret negotiations with the VFL in the town of Quorn for entry to the competition in 1991.
During May 1990, the SANFL clubs unanimously accepted a SANFL proposal to not enter a club from South Australia until 1993.
After legal action from all parties, the AFL agreed to accept the SANFL's bid to enter the composite team, which was named the Adelaide Football Club. During December 1994, Max Basher announced that Port Adelaide had won the tender for the second South Australian AFL licence on the condition that a merger take place between two existing AFL clubs to keep the league at the club limit imposed by the AFL in 1993.
The nickname first appeared in media in early 1993, in a match report written by former cricketer Alan Shiell.
After legal action from all parties, the AFL agreed to accept the SANFL's bid to enter the composite team, which was named the Adelaide Football Club. During December 1994, Max Basher announced that Port Adelaide had won the tender for the second South Australian AFL licence on the condition that a merger take place between two existing AFL clubs to keep the league at the club limit imposed by the AFL in 1993.
In the 2020 AFL season, Port Adelaide qualified for the finals as minor premiers for the first time since 2004, making it to the preliminary final and being defeated by eventual premiers by 6 points. === SANFL presence (Post AFL entry) === After winning the 1994 tender for an AFL Licence, an agreement was made with the SANFL to field two separate clubs in the SANFL and AFL.
As such, the licence would not be made available until at least 1996, and was not guaranteed.
With the merger of the Brisbane Bears and looming, the club was advised on 21 May 1996 by the AFL that they would take part in the 1997 AFL season. === 1997–2010: AFL entry, Mark Williams and club debt === Following confirmation of their entry in 1997, the club began preparations to enter the league.
John Cahill began the transition to the AFL, with Stephen Williams, a son of Fos Williams, taking over the SANFL coaching position from midway through the 1996 season.
After entering the AFL in 1997, the club claimed three minor premierships and a premiership under coach Mark Williams between 2002 and 2004.
With the merger of the Brisbane Bears and looming, the club was advised on 21 May 1996 by the AFL that they would take part in the 1997 AFL season. === 1997–2010: AFL entry, Mark Williams and club debt === Following confirmation of their entry in 1997, the club began preparations to enter the league.
The AFL's father-son rule for the club was set at 200 games for SANFL players before 1997, compared to only 100 for Victorian clubs. On 29 March 1997, Port Adelaide played its first AFL premiership match against Collingwood at the MCG, suffering a 79-point defeat.
For the first few years after 1997, the Port Adelaide Magpies were forced to train at Ethelton to ensure they would not gain any advantage using the Alberton training facilities.
The song was first played at AFL level after Port Adelaide's win against Geelong in Round 3, 1997 at Football Park.
It made mention of "Magpies" in the logo for the first time and was the longest standing in the club's history. Upon entering the AFL in 1997, Port were required to adopt colours and an insignia that distinguished it from , who already had the nickname of the 'Magpies'.
The oval is also used for training purposes for both AFL and SANFL operations, aside from 1997 through 2001 when SANFL training temporarily moved to Ethelton. In 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide was temporarily locked out of the ground following a dispute between the Port Adelaide Council, the SANFL and the Club over seating arrangements at the ground.
Port Adelaide's first official AFL match at the ground was on 6 April 1997, where they were defeated by Essendon by 33 points. Planned upgrades to the stadium were cancelled following news that Port Adelaide, alongside both Adelaide and the SANFL, would make use of Adelaide Oval from 2014 onward, as it had been recently redeveloped.
They have met in three Grand Finals following Port Adelaide's entry to the AFL, with Port Adelaide winning in 1999 and Norwood winning in 1997 and 2014.
Upon the club's entry to the AFL in 1997, the club appointed its first Indigenous captain in Gavin Wanganeen.
Following the 1998 season, John Cahill retired from his coaching position. In 1999 Mark Williams, another son of Fos Williams, took over as coach of Port Adelaide and led the club to many notable first achievements in the AFL over the next decade.
In 2018, Port Adelaide and the league jointly agreed that it would no longer field a team in the SANFL Reserves competition. Port Adelaide had near instant success in the SANFL after accession into the AFL, winning back to back Grand Finals in 1998 and 1999.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was not played in the 2020 or 2021 AFL seasons. == Club honour boards == === Honour Board === In the Port Adelaide clubrooms at Alberton Oval there is a large wooden honour board with gold text that details every season of the club from 1870 to the present. ==== SANFL Honour Board (Post AFL Entry) ==== === Hall of Fame === Port Adelaide launched the club Hall of Fame on 20 February 1998, when it inducted inaugural 18 members into the Hall of Fame.
Following the 1998 season, John Cahill retired from his coaching position. In 1999 Mark Williams, another son of Fos Williams, took over as coach of Port Adelaide and led the club to many notable first achievements in the AFL over the next decade.
In 2018, Port Adelaide and the league jointly agreed that it would no longer field a team in the SANFL Reserves competition. Port Adelaide had near instant success in the SANFL after accession into the AFL, winning back to back Grand Finals in 1998 and 1999.
The ground also has the bordering Allan Scott Power Headquarters for the administration of Port Adelaide, which opened in 1999 and is named after the club's initial major sponsor. ==== Football Park (1997–2013) ==== Port Adelaide first played at Football Park on 15 June 1974.
They have met in three Grand Finals following Port Adelaide's entry to the AFL, with Port Adelaide winning in 1999 and Norwood winning in 1997 and 2014.
In the early 2000s, the rivalry reached its peak as the two clubs would be the most dominant of the era, meeting in consecutive finals series between from 2001 to 2004 and consistently finishing at the top of the ladder.
Port Adelaide had a very successful 2001 season, starting with a maiden pre-season competition victory.
Port Adelaide finished their 2001 home and away season in third place, though the club would lose both finals it contested.
The logo was slightly altered in 2001 with the lightning bolt and fist defined and the reference to "Port" dropped.
The oval is also used for training purposes for both AFL and SANFL operations, aside from 1997 through 2001 when SANFL training temporarily moved to Ethelton. In 1975 and 1976, Port Adelaide was temporarily locked out of the ground following a dispute between the Port Adelaide Council, the SANFL and the Club over seating arrangements at the ground.
In the early 2000s, the rivalry reached its peak as the two clubs would be the most dominant of the era, meeting in consecutive finals series between from 2001 to 2004 and consistently finishing at the top of the ladder.
It has since honoured 40 more players, coaches, administrators and club servants who have played a major part in the club, in addition to two eras of premiership teams. === Greatest Team === In June 2001, the Port Adelaide Football Club announced its 'Greatest Team' from the prior two centuries, consisting of the most successful players from the club.
After entering the AFL in 1997, the club claimed three minor premierships and a premiership under coach Mark Williams between 2002 and 2004.
In 2002, Port Adelaide built on its success and won its first AFL minor premiership.
Port Adelaide continued its minor round dominance in 2003 and again claimed the minor premiership; however like the previous year, Port Adelaide was eliminated in the preliminary final. The 2004 season started strongly for Port Adelaide, winning five of their first six matches.
The club was first granted the right to wear an AFL-approved Prison Bar guernsey (a replica of the 1914 premiership design) in the heritage round of the 2003 season.
Since its founding, the club has won an unequalled 36 SANFL premierships and 4 Championship of Australia titles, in addition to an AFL Premiership in 2004. Founded in 1870, the club is the oldest professional football club in South Australia and the fifth-oldest club in the AFL.
After entering the AFL in 1997, the club claimed three minor premierships and a premiership under coach Mark Williams between 2002 and 2004.
Port Adelaide continued its minor round dominance in 2003 and again claimed the minor premiership; however like the previous year, Port Adelaide was eliminated in the preliminary final. The 2004 season started strongly for Port Adelaide, winning five of their first six matches.
In the 2020 AFL season, Port Adelaide qualified for the finals as minor premiers for the first time since 2004, making it to the preliminary final and being defeated by eventual premiers by 6 points. === SANFL presence (Post AFL entry) === After winning the 1994 tender for an AFL Licence, an agreement was made with the SANFL to field two separate clubs in the SANFL and AFL.
In the early 2000s, the rivalry reached its peak as the two clubs would be the most dominant of the era, meeting in consecutive finals series between from 2001 to 2004 and consistently finishing at the top of the ladder.
The most notable meeting between the two sides is the 2004 AFL Grand Final, where Port Adelaide ended Brisbane's chances of a fourth consecutive premiership.
The club won its first premiership in 1884, while its most recent senior level premiership was in 2004.
In 2005, the club made the finals for the fifth consecutive season, where they contested the only Showdown final to date, with rivals Adelaide winning by 83 points.
In 2007, Port Adelaide finished the minor round second on the ladder with 15–7 record.
The club finished the home and away season 7th on the ladder, qualifying for finals for the first time since 2007.
During 2007, following controversy the year prior in which the AFL declined Port Adelaide the right to wear their heritage guernsey, the AFL and Port Adelaide reached an agreement whereby the club could wear its traditional guernsey in the heritage round, with the proviso that in future seasons its players can only wear it in home heritage round games and provided that such a game is not against Collingwood.
In 2008, the club started the Aboriginal Power Cup to help promote academic and healthy outcomes for indigenous students in South Australia. === China partnership === On 14 April 2016, Port Adelaide announced it had struck a three-year multimillion-dollar partnership with leading Chinese property developer Shanghai Cred, where Port Adelaide would take primary responsibility for developing Australian rules football in China.
By 2009, the club had accumulated a consolidated debt totalling $5.1 million and was unable to pay its players; they had lost $1.6 million the season before.
The panel was also present on the club's AFL guernsey until it was phased out in 2009.
Plans for a re-merging of the two teams was rejected by the SANFL early during 2010, though they eventually signed off on the proposal during November 2010.
The 2010 season saw Mark Williams step down as senior coach.
He led the club to five wins from its final seven games. === 2011–present: Matthew Primus, Ken Hinkley and independence === On 9 September 2010, Matthew Primus was appointed as the senior coach of the club for the next three years.
Despite underwriting $5 million of Port's debt in 2010, the takeover failed when the SANFL was unable to get a line of credit to cover Port Adelaide's future debts.
Australian football historian John Devaney described the forced separation of Port Adelaide's SANFL and AFL operations as being "akin to the enforced splitting up of families associated with military conquest or warfare". In response to financial trouble suffered by both Port Adelaide entities, the "One Port Adelaide Football Club" movement was launched by former players Tim Ginever and George Fiacchi on 20 August 2010, in an effort to merge Port Adelaide's AFL and SANFL operations.
On 16 November 2010, following approval from all nine SANFL clubs, the club formalised the off-field merger between the two entities.
Its role as the primary venue for SANFL finals was supplanted by Football Park in 1974, following disagreements between the SANFL and South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Following extensive redevelopment in the early 2010s and negotiations between the SANFL and SACA over the use of the ground, the ground was cleared for football usage purposes, allowing Port Adelaide to use the ground as its home ground from the 2014 season onwards.
He led the club to five wins from its final seven games. === 2011–present: Matthew Primus, Ken Hinkley and independence === On 9 September 2010, Matthew Primus was appointed as the senior coach of the club for the next three years.
The SANFL sought to take control of Port Adelaide in 2011.
Port Adelaide also played the first official AFL match at the venue in 2011 against Melbourne. Adelaide Oval has two notable stands named after significant Port Adelaide individuals, the Fos Williams Stand, and the Gavin Wanganeen Stand.
The following season, Matthew Primus stepped down from his position as coach, following a loss to . On 8 October 2012, Ken Hinkley was announced as the new senior coach of the club.
Port Adelaide's use of the song stemmed from a trip the club took to Anfield in November 2012 while they were in England to play an exhibition match against the Western Bulldogs.
On 10 September 2013, Port Adelaide and the SANFL agreed to a model to allow all its AFL-listed players (not selected to play for Port Adelaide in the AFL) to play for the SANFL side.
The following year, Port Adelaide requested permission to permanently wear the guernsey in all future Showdown matches, but this proposal was rejected by the AFL. Support for the guernsey remains extremely high, with a merchandise for a game against Carlton in 2013 generating over $500,000.
During a meeting in mid 2013, the idea of an anthem was raised and "Never Tear Us Apart" by INXS was suggested by Port Adelaide's events manager, Tara MacLeod.
The club has played at their SANFL home ground, Alberton Oval, since 1880 and has used their AFL home ground, Adelaide Oval, since 2014.
Port travelled to Melbourne to play Collingwood at the MCG in an Elimination Final where they won by 24 points; they then lost to Geelong by 16 points the following week in a Semi-final. The 2014 season saw both Port Adelaide and Adelaide move their home ground from Football Park to the redeveloped Adelaide Oval.
Port Adelaide signed up a record 48,968 members for the 2014 season, an increase of 23% from the previous year, and averaged 44,824 at home games.
However, the club would fail to make another grand final until the 2014 season, where it was defeated by Norwood by four points.
In 2014, the AFL declined Port Adelaide permission to wear its traditional guernsey for celebrating of 100 years since its 1914 Championship of Australia.
On 2 September 2014, the AFL cleared the club to use the guernsey in their final against , following controversy about their prior decision to have Port Adelaide wear their clash strip.
the line in the song "..til the flag is ours for the taking, Port Power!" was eventually changed, removing the word 'Port' and the song was re-recorded. Since March 2014, Port Adelaide has used "Never Tear Us Apart" by the Australian band INXS as the club's unofficial anthem leading up to the opening bounce at its new home of Adelaide Oval.
Despite not being officially recognised as a 'home ground' in the SANFL, it hosted night matches for every team, as well as all finals between 1974 and 2014 regardless of 'home' team.
Port Adelaide's first official AFL match at the ground was on 6 April 1997, where they were defeated by Essendon by 33 points. Planned upgrades to the stadium were cancelled following news that Port Adelaide, alongside both Adelaide and the SANFL, would make use of Adelaide Oval from 2014 onward, as it had been recently redeveloped.
The ground remains the headquarters of Adelaide, though features such as the ground's grandstands have been demolished. ==== Adelaide Oval (2014–present) ==== Since 2014, Adelaide Oval has been the home ground of Port Adelaide's AFL team, shared with . Adelaide Oval has historically been used for SANFL Finals (until 1974) and the Championship of Australia match.
Its role as the primary venue for SANFL finals was supplanted by Football Park in 1974, following disagreements between the SANFL and South Australian Cricket Association (SACA). Following extensive redevelopment in the early 2010s and negotiations between the SANFL and SACA over the use of the ground, the ground was cleared for football usage purposes, allowing Port Adelaide to use the ground as its home ground from the 2014 season onwards.
They have met in three Grand Finals following Port Adelaide's entry to the AFL, with Port Adelaide winning in 1999 and Norwood winning in 1997 and 2014.
Since 2016, an alternative Pitjantjatjara language version of the song ('Nganana wanangara kanyini' – literally, 'We have the lightning bolt') has been used by the club on occasions such as Indigenous Round.
In 2008, the club started the Aboriginal Power Cup to help promote academic and healthy outcomes for indigenous students in South Australia. === China partnership === On 14 April 2016, Port Adelaide announced it had struck a three-year multimillion-dollar partnership with leading Chinese property developer Shanghai Cred, where Port Adelaide would take primary responsibility for developing Australian rules football in China.
After defeating in the semi-finals, the club's season ended with a three-point loss to Hawthorn in the preliminary finals. In 2017, Port Adelaide made finals after winning 14 games to finish fifth on the ladder.
The number panel returned to the club's guernsey in 2017.
As part of the partnership, Port Adelaide also agreed to annually run an Australian rules football program in over 20 Chinese schools, culminating in a football carnival the same week the AFL premiership match is held in Shanghai. The first AFL game played for premiership points was played in May 2017 between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide.
In 2018, Port Adelaide and the league jointly agreed that it would no longer field a team in the SANFL Reserves competition. Port Adelaide had near instant success in the SANFL after accession into the AFL, winning back to back Grand Finals in 1998 and 1999.
Towards the end of 2018, a group of supporters organised to push for the return of the club's traditional guernsey full time from the start of the 2020 AFL season, to coincide with the club's 150th anniversary year, and a supporter petition in 2019 calling for the reinstatement of the guernsey reached 10,000 signatures. ==== Uniform evolution ==== === Club songs === Over the years, Port Adelaide has used various songs and music at its games.
In October 2018, the AFL announced St Kilda would be taking over from the Gold Coast Suns in the China fixture, citing funding as an issue.
When co-captains were appointed for the 2019 season the No.
Towards the end of 2018, a group of supporters organised to push for the return of the club's traditional guernsey full time from the start of the 2020 AFL season, to coincide with the club's 150th anniversary year, and a supporter petition in 2019 calling for the reinstatement of the guernsey reached 10,000 signatures. ==== Uniform evolution ==== === Club songs === Over the years, Port Adelaide has used various songs and music at its games.
From 1930 until 2019, the logo always featured a dexter (left-facing) magpie, perched upon a gum branch (1930 to 1953) or a fence wire (1954 to 1974).
The last Magpies-specific logo, used by the club between 1975 and 2019 in the SANFL, was situated inside a circular disc as was the case at all other SANFL clubs.
In 2019, 4.01 million people watched the match between Port Adelaide and St Kilda.
In the 2020 AFL season, Port Adelaide qualified for the finals as minor premiers for the first time since 2004, making it to the preliminary final and being defeated by eventual premiers by 6 points. === SANFL presence (Post AFL entry) === After winning the 1994 tender for an AFL Licence, an agreement was made with the SANFL to field two separate clubs in the SANFL and AFL.
Port Adelaide feature in two further grand finals against Sturt and Glenelg, though it would be defeated in both. The club did not field a team in the SANFL in the 2020 season due to AFL restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, though it re-joined the competition in 2021. == Club symbols and identity == === Club guernseys === ==== Captain and No.
For their 150th anniversary, the club was granted permission to wear the guernsey in its Showdown match in the 2020 season.
On 9 September 2020, it was revealed that memorabilia associated with the Prison Bar guernsey raised $2,000,000 for the club in 2020 and the Prison Bar guernsey itself was the highest selling piece of merchandise in the AFL that year.
Towards the end of 2018, a group of supporters organised to push for the return of the club's traditional guernsey full time from the start of the 2020 AFL season, to coincide with the club's 150th anniversary year, and a supporter petition in 2019 calling for the reinstatement of the guernsey reached 10,000 signatures. ==== Uniform evolution ==== === Club songs === Over the years, Port Adelaide has used various songs and music at its games.
Up until 2020, all of the club's insignia in the SANFL were designed around featuring one or multiple Magpies.
Ahead of the 2020 season, Port Adelaide's 150th anniversary, the club unveiled a commemorative logo to be worn by both the senior AFL team and reserves SANFL team.
Although initially intended to be used exclusively in 2020, feedback from key stakeholders and investors prompted the club to retain the logo in 2021 and beyond. === Home grounds === ==== Glanville Hall Estate/Buck's Flat (1870–1879) ==== After foundation, it was decided by the inaugural president of Port Adelaide, John Hart Jr., that the club's home ground would Glanville Hall Estate, a property owned his immediate family.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was not played in the 2020 or 2021 AFL seasons. == Club honour boards == === Honour Board === In the Port Adelaide clubrooms at Alberton Oval there is a large wooden honour board with gold text that details every season of the club from 1870 to the present. ==== SANFL Honour Board (Post AFL Entry) ==== === Hall of Fame === Port Adelaide launched the club Hall of Fame on 20 February 1998, when it inducted inaugural 18 members into the Hall of Fame.
Port Adelaide feature in two further grand finals against Sturt and Glenelg, though it would be defeated in both. The club did not field a team in the SANFL in the 2020 season due to AFL restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, though it re-joined the competition in 2021. == Club symbols and identity == === Club guernseys === ==== Captain and No.
Although initially intended to be used exclusively in 2020, feedback from key stakeholders and investors prompted the club to retain the logo in 2021 and beyond. === Home grounds === ==== Glanville Hall Estate/Buck's Flat (1870–1879) ==== After foundation, it was decided by the inaugural president of Port Adelaide, John Hart Jr., that the club's home ground would Glanville Hall Estate, a property owned his immediate family.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the match was not played in the 2020 or 2021 AFL seasons. == Club honour boards == === Honour Board === In the Port Adelaide clubrooms at Alberton Oval there is a large wooden honour board with gold text that details every season of the club from 1870 to the present. ==== SANFL Honour Board (Post AFL Entry) ==== === Hall of Fame === Port Adelaide launched the club Hall of Fame on 20 February 1998, when it inducted inaugural 18 members into the Hall of Fame.
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