Dear Members and Supporters
When I stood in front of the several hundred loyal supporters who had made their way back to the post match presentation at Etihad Stadium last week, I could barely utter a word.
The feeling of disappointment, after another poor showing, was palpable in the room.
Three days later, having picked myself up to fight another day (as we all do!), my message to the full staff of the Port Adelaide Football Club was clearer.
By all means be disappointed. Our AFL performances on field this year have been unacceptable and as a Club we expect more.
At the same time, a little perspective is required:
- in 2015, Port Adelaide will be profitable again for the first time since 2007.
- we have broken the 60,000 member mark for the first time.
- our members remain the most passionate and engaged supporters in the AFL.
- the Magpies are third on the table and gathering momentum towards another finals campaign.
- our Academy boys are second.
- we continue to provide the best game day experience in the AFL, bar none.
- average home game crowds of over 45,000 are the 4th highest in the AFL.
- commercial revenue has grown 20%
- five new Premier Partners have joined the Club
- we are pushing strongly into China
- our Indigenous programs now extend into the APY Lands and the Barkly region and are industry leading.
Outstanding work is being done.
As we have said repeatedly, it was important that the business of Port Adelaide grew quickly, to ensure that our multi- year strategy to invest in our football program could be supported.
This is being achieved, and as a Club we should feel very proud that our combined efforts continue to drive us forward, despite the on field AFL speed hump.
At the end of the year we’ll take a good look at what happened in 2015, and learn from it.
What I know about this group is that they won’t rest until we get the job done.
Right now, we’ve got a home game to win against GWS.
Let’s stand together, sing the song, and get the boys over the line.
Can’t wait to get there on Saturday!
KT
