20-year-old apprentice mechanic and Port Adelaide platinum member Matthew Purcell had the shock of his life when Power captain Travis Boak strode into his workshop on Wednesday afternoon to present him with a team-signed guernsey, framed commemorative Showdown 36 print and, of course, an obligatory Never Tear Us Apart scarf.
Since the very first AFL game at the Adelaide Oval between Port Adelaide and Melbourne in Round 24, 2011, more than one million spectators have now seen the Power and Crows host games at the new home of football in South Australia.
That important milestone was reached by the South Australian AFL record crowd of 52,505 that saw Port Adelaide blitz Carlton on Friday night and the club decided to celebrate the Oval's one millionth attendance by randomly rewarding one lucky member who 'scanned-in' to witness the 103-point win.
Luckily for Matthew, it was his membership number that came up.
Having attended all of Port Adelaide’s home games this year, and excited about the prospect of being at the club’s first final at the ground in September, Matthew represents the legion of black, white and teal-wearing true believers who have ridden the highs and lows of the club’s return to the site of its 20 SANFL Premierships.
The club now holds the two highest attendance figures at any AFL game in South Australia – both at the Adelaide Oval – against Carlton and Hawthorn this year.
The club also achieved a record-high membership figure - currently 55,730 - on the back of the avid support of barrackers like Matthew.
“I’ve never really won much in my life, but I think this has taken care of that,” Matthew said as Travis Boak presented the gift on behalf of the club.
“For sure, I’ll be wearing the scarf and guernsey at the first final at the ground!"
Matthew is just one small part of the 'Teal Sea' that has engulfed the Adelaide Oval since the Power's very first game there back in 2011 and its return as a redeveloped venue in Showdown 36 in April this year.
Like many supporters, he's loved the frenzied atmosphere that has seen the club widely acknowledged as having the best game day experience in the AFL.
See how Port Adelaide has turned the Oval into its city fortress this year
“Adelaide Oval’s been brilliant, it’s got an atmosphere like nothing else I’ve been to and its central, convenient and all the crowds have been really good this year – it feels like home for us supporters and I’m sure it does for the players too," Matthew said.
“The boys have definitely improved since last year and are really playing their part [for the club].
“Since that first game in 2011 when Boaky kicked that big torpedo, I knew it would be a great place to watch the club play and it’s a great place to support the boys.”
As a platinum member, Matthew plans to attend the Power's first home final - whether that be a preliminary, semi or elimination decider - in September this year.
Port Adelaide will know its finals fate after Saturday's all-important clash with fourth placed Fremantle.
If it wins that game, the Power will overtake the 'Purple Haze' and book an away qualifying final appearance against either Sydney or Hawthorn.
portadelaidefc.com.au will have all the finals ticketing information for the first week of finals on Sunday.
