EIGHT-TIME Port Adelaide premiership player Greg Phillips has looked back on his five grand final wins against Glenelg with very fond memories.
Phillips - who played 343 games for the Magpies – was part of the Magpies sides that won the 1977, 1981, 1988, 1990 and 1992 Grand Finals over the Bays.
He says the fierce rivalry that had been built against between the sides drove his team to be more determined to beat Glenelg in the big games.
“The rivalry began in the early days when David Granger upset a couple of them,” Phillips told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“It just felt like they hated us, and we grew to love beating them. The more I played throughout the years, the more it became a real grudge match when we played the Bays.
“They were favourites in a few of the grand finals, and for us to gel as a group and back each other in to win, and get the job done was great.
“The rivalry just continued to build.”
Phillips does admit now that time had passed, he enjoys reminiscing with the boys from Glenelg and sharing stories from the past over a few cold beverages.
“Now that I am a past player, I do enjoy having a beer with the Bays boys,” he said.
“They were all great players and great blokes.”
Phillips has played in each of Port’s five grand final victories over Glenelg, and the key defender said to be able to share those memories with so many different players was the thing he held fondest.
“To beat Glenelg in five grand finals was such a special experience,” he said.
“The best thing about it for me was the number of different players I got to experience those wins with.
“The team changed a fair bit over those years, and I got to play and win grand finals alongside some of the legends of this great club.
“It wasn’t just the 25 players across those five premierships. Back in the Russell Ebert days, (Nathan) Buckley, Tony Giles, Ivan Eckermann, Timmy Ginever, Craig Bradley, the list goes on.”
The SANFL life member admitted there were question marks on whether the Magpies could beat Glenelg in some of the premiership-deciders, but Phillips said John Cahill was the perfect man to be coaching the side.
“John Cahill had a lot to do with us winning those flags when we were the underdogs,” he said.
“He was a great motivator, and instilling in us the belief that we could win the big games. It was less about tactics and games plans back then, we just wanted to play hard contested football.
“He just wanted you to play well and make you and your family proud. He got us believing that we were the best side.
“He was just fantastic with his motivational speeches.”
Phillips said the Port Adelaide Football Club was a special place to be a part of, and experiencing premiership glory with the Port family was what it was all about.
“To see how much those premierships mean to the supporters and fans of Port Adelaide is so special,” Phillips explained.
“Celebrating with the fans when you win - to see the look on their faces. To be able to bring joy to people who have supported the club for 50+ years, means a lot.
“That’s what playing for Port Adelaide means.”
