Port Adelaide President David Koch today announced the club would wear its iconic black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey in the Round 3 Showdown against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday 1 April.
Mr Koch said the club had been in ongoing discussions with Collingwood and both clubs have reached an agreement that will see Port Adelaide wear the heritage guernsey in 2023.
“Ultimately this magnificent black-and-white guernsey belongs to our people. It’s our people’s guernsey,” Mr Koch said.
“Our community has been overwhelming in their desire for Port Adelaide to wear this guernsey again in the AFL and this outcome is for our loyal community made up of members, supporters, partners, staff, volunteers, players and past players. This is for the entire Port Adelaide family.
“If the last few years have taught us anything it is that the fans are central to our game. Our fans have asked for this guernsey. They understand more than any the importance of heritage and tradition and we are delighted to able to wear this guernsey again for our people.
“This guernsey has been the fabric of our club since 1902 and represents everyone who has made Port Adelaide the club it is today.
“And there is no better time to wear this guernsey than against our South Australian rivals. Our players will wear this heritage guernsey with great pride on the national stage to celebrate and honour the legacy of those who have come before us.”
Mr Koch said Port Adelaide would continue talks with Collingwood with a view of wearing the guernsey in every home Showdown moving forward and encouraged members and supporters to head to the MCG for their Round Two match against Collingwood.
“Collingwood President Jeff Browne and chief executive Craig Kelly have been outstanding to deal with during these discussions,” he said.
“There is a genuine sense of goodwill from Collingwood and an understanding that heritage is important to all clubs, not least of all Port Adelaide. We thank them for their collegiate approach.
“We look forward to continuing our positive discussions with Collingwood in regards to wearing our black-and-white Prison Bar guernsey again next year and beyond.
“We face Collingwood in Round Two at the MCG and we urge all SA-based Port Adelaide and Collingwood members and supporters to travel to Victoria for the match.
“We will put on buses for fans to travel to and from Adelaide to Melbourne for the day.”
Further details regarding booking travel will be communicated directly to members and supporters in the coming days.
The Port Store at Alberton will have Prison Bar guernseys available to purchase from Friday 17 March.
Click here to pre-order from the club's online store. Online pre-orders will begin to dispatch week commencing Monday 20 March.
There will also be a very limited number of guernseys available to purchase at Adelaide Oval in Round 1.
