PORT ADELAIDE CEO Keith Thomas has implored the football club to come up with new ways to bring the football experience to its fans and members, with proposed lockouts throughout the year.
Fans have been told they won’t be permitted to attend games for the foreseeable future, and Thomas says it’s important for Port Adelaide to focus on what they can do to bring a positive experience for fans.
“One of the principals we have adopted here was to stop thinking about what we don’t have, and focus on what we do have,” Thomas told Adelaide radio on Thursday morning.
“And what we still have is a footy team. We still have a game. We do have members who are wanting to consume the game in a different way.
“Our challenge is how do we bring the game in its current form to our members in a way that’s interesting and compelling?”
Thomas said the football department is working hard with the media team at Alberton to be able to bring the football experience to members and fans in a new way.
“We are working really hard on that. It’s changing the way we are thinking about that responsibility, and I suspect we will learn things through this period that will improve us going forward.
“We will definitely be giving our members a different look at the inner-runnings of our team and its preparation. It will be something to look forward to.”
Port Adelaide’s season will commence this weekend with a clash against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday evening and Thomas said senior coach Ken Hinkley and his players are up for the task, despite some changed playing conditions.
“Ken is in a fantastic frame of mind,” he said.
“We are just approaching this season as we have from the start which is to beat the Gold Coast in round 1 and then get on with it.
“Kenny likes the idea of the shortened quarters - he’s up for that.
“The footy program has been focussed on the Gold Coast all summer.
“They know they are a threat and particularly early in the season, they have shown they have a bit to play with.”
The Power face the Suns in round 1 of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, with the final team to be announced on Thursday evening.
