Port’s new director of coaching revealed an innocuous comment on Adelaide radio after the Brisbane Lions’ third premiership in 2003 was part of the motivation for the Power’s successful 2004 campaign.
On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of Port Adelaide’s historic first AFL flag, Hart says his new employer’s streak-ending victory over his Lions side that year taught him a valuable lesson in football.
Hart appointed coaching director
“I realised you cant win everything,” Hart said.
Hart learned more in the ensuing 24-hour period following the Power's rampant victory that day.
At the heart of Shaun's football philosophy is people. It's the philosophy he says guided the Lions to three premierships.
And he says it is what, in an unfortunate way for him at the time, guided the Power to its first AFL pennant.
“After three premierships at the Brisbane Lions I was quoted on FIVEaa answering the question: Why do Brisbane win premierships even when Port Adelaide finishes on top?” said Hart.
“I answered out of my heart and said that we [the Lions] played for each other more.
“[Then] I got told that motivated the Port Adelaide Football Club into the 2004 season because they wanted to prove me wrong.
“The day after the 2004 grand final, reading the Herald Sun having breakfast, there was an article that said ‘Lion sledge motivates Power victory’.
“I remember wondering which of my teammates had said something silly, only to read my name in the first paragraph and Mark Williams saying that sledge from 12 months earlier had been their motivation.”
Despite wiping the egg from his face then, Hart can now laugh about the way football fortunes can turn for a club on the back of unusual inspiration.
But he firmly believes hard work and a people-first approach is the key builder of winning cultures and winning football clubs.
That makes him Ken Hinkley’s ‘perfect fit’ for the role of coaching director.
“The learnings from my three premierships with the Brisbane Lions and then my time at the Gold Coast Suns is significant.” says Hart.
“That is the team that plays for each other the most when things go down to the wire will triumph.
“What I want to bring to Port Adelaide is the heart that’s behind that reality.
“I don’t think there’s any real success without [putting] people first.”
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Hart is looking forward to his new challenge, which began the moment he walked through the entrance to Power Headquarters on Friday morning.
And he is already set on what direction he wants to see the playing culture to take.
“The players need to remain hungry and humble … and continue to listen to the message that Ken Hinkley and the rest of the club continues to bring to them,” he said.
“You can’t stop working hard and creating elite habits.
“Any time you do that [stop working] you’ll fall short.”
Port Adelaide recommenced its pre-season training this week ahead of the start of fully fledged football at the beginning of February.
