Prison bar guernseys confirmed for Sunday
Port Adelaide will wear its famous prison bar guernsey on Sunday after apparel supplier ISC confirmed it could meet the production deadline
Port Adelaide applied to wear the heritage guernsey after the AFL earlier stated that the club would have to wear its white clash strip in the home final as Richmond did not have a clash strip that was distinctive enough when compared to the Power’s black home uniform.
Port Adelaide’s home strip for this weekend’s final will comprise the black-and-white guernsey, white shorts and black socks.
The AFL maintains that this strip will provide a distinctive contrast that will benefit the broadcaster, spectators, players and umpires.
Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said to be able to wear the traditional black-and-white guernsey was a great result after the challenges that faced the club yesterday.
“On behalf of the club I want to reiterate our thanks to the AFL for their willingness to seek a satisfactory resolution and to Collingwood for their pragmatic approach to our prison bar guernsey in the best interests of Sunday’s final," Mr Thomas said.
“And I extend a massive thanks to our apparel supplier ISC for their ability to produce these guernseys at such short notice. Their team is working around the clock to get these guernseys produced in time and we are very grateful for their effort.”
Mr Thomas said although the ideal scenario would have been to wear the club’s black home uniform any opportunity to wear the traditional black-and-white guernsey on the national stage is cherished.
“To be able to wear our famous guernsey again on the national stage especially in the first historic AFL final at the Adelaide Oval is a great opportunity and will fill our community with enormous pride.
“Ironically the strip, with white shorts, will resemble the exact uniform worn by our 1965 SANFL premiership team, the last premiership won by Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.
“Fittingly, our players will run out in this strip from the Geof Motley race who of course captained that 1965 team. It will be a great celebration of our “One Club” mantra with the Power in the AFL and the Magpies in the SANFL.”