But when it comes to Port Adelaide history – it’s has been a successful date in the past.
Port Adelaide has played on September 13 – and won – twice in its AFL history.
With most tipsters in the dailies predicting the Power will be up against it when they meet Geelong in tonight’s Second Semi Final, Port supporters might be looking towards old superstitions and previous form to find solace when they pack out the MCG tonight.
If you’re sceptical about the Power making the date a lucky one, then perhaps your doubts will be softened when you learn the following: Both those wins were in September and both were semi finals.
Port actually won its first ever AFL final against Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday 13 September 2002.
That night the Power rose to the occasion to pip the fancied Bombers with a third quarter surge.
Port kicked six goals-to-one in that term and cruised to the line by 24 points at the end of the night.
The following year the Power again hosted the Dons at AAMI Stadium on that same date, but a Saturday.
On that occasion, the two teams chipped away at one another throughout the first half, with Port opening a 16-point advantage at the long break.
But Port again opened the taps in the third quarter to lead by five goals at the last change and ease itself into a preliminary final appearance by 39 at the close of play.
So Power fans may take some comfort that history can and does repeat, particularly for a club that loves to make history!
Of course, the realists out there will recognise the significant challenge ahead of the Power.
It will be the third time in 2013 that Port has taken on a Cats side fresh from a loss, and this match is a do-or-die encounter that will surely have the home side out swinging.
Port goes into the encounter unchanged while Geelong has made three alterations to its losing qualifying final team; both Josh and Taylor Hunt, and Tom Hawkins come in for the Cats in place of the injured Corey Enright and Josh Caddy, and omitted Josh Walker.
It will be tough, hard, consistent work that gets the Power over the line on Friday night – a performance akin to that on display against Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday night.
The players know this, and that’s why Ken Hinkley has rewarded them with a follow up opportunity to unite on the home of football again.
If you’re a supporter, look to the Power’s underdog performances throughout the year – twice against Collingwood, twice against the Crows and against Sydney in Round 13 – as a guide to how this team can play when up against a more fancied opponent…
… and perhaps if cats have nine lives, there might be something in Geelong winning the past nine games between these two clubs …
