1914 was a remarkable year for Port Adelaide.
In that year it won every game of a 12-round South Australian Football League (now SANFL) season, twice playing North Adelaide, Norwood, South Adelaide, Sturt, West Adelaide and West Torrens, before going on to defeat Sturt in the first semi final and later North Adelaide by 79 points in the grand final at the Adelaide Oval.
From there, the Magpies went on to defeat Carlton to be crowned Champions of Australia for the second consecutive year at the Oval before vanquishing a combined 'best of the rest' state team at the Jubillee ground.
The guernsey to be worn in the SANFL Showdown has several subtle differences to the one worn today - which has remained largely unchanged since the mid-1950s.
While retaining the black collar and cuffs and traditional ‘wharf pylon’ or ‘prison bar’ style, the guernsey features just four black bars – not five – below the bib.
Buy your adult 1914 Heritage Guernsey at the Power Megastore
Unlike the regular guernsey, the bars also appear on the back of the jumper, below a black number panel.
The heritage guernsey also has the distinction of displaying the historic club emblem in place of the contemporary Magpies disc.
The emblem – in use in 1914 – features two Magpies perched on a gum branch atop a brown football and the Australian Civil Ensign and a black-and-white striped flag.
It is the only guernsey produced by the club to feature the emblem.
Port Adelaide's SANFL captain Steven Summerton and vice-captain Henry Slattery wear the 1914 replica uniform to be worn against the Crows on Saturday 26 July at Alberton Oval
The club sought permission to wear the heritage design from the SANFL and chief executive Keith Thomas is excited about the prospect of a big crowd seeing it in action.
“We see this as an outstanding opportunity to once again celebrate and honour the incredible heritage of our club,” Mr Thomas told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“To go through an entire season in the South Australian Football League undefeated and then to defeat Carlton to claim the Championship of Australia title is one of this club’s finest achievements.
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement and sought permission from the SANFL to wear a 1914 replica guernsey against the Crows in our upcoming home game.
“We are very grateful that the SANFL has granted us permission to wear this guernsey so that we could honour our past.
"Now we hope to get a huge turnout at Alberton - it would be great to see all our supporters there in their black-and-white scarves, old Maggies jumpers and lace-up guernseys - to get the boys over the line."
Youth sizes of the 1914 guernsey also available at the Power Megastore
The tradition of captains wearing the No. 1 guernsey wasn’t in vogue back in 1914, indeed it was one of the first seasons numbers had been used in South Australian football to identify players.
But the man who will lead the Magpies against the Crows, himself pulling on his first Port Adelaide heritage jumper, fully understands the significance of the occasion.
“We're all well aware of the tradition and culture that this club has dating back to 1870,” skipper Steven Summerton said.
“And to have the opportunity to pull on a guernsey which has such significance to the club is a big thrill for us and something which we’ll cherish.
“Performances like that from our 1914 team are what have built such a winning culture here at Port Adelaide.
“It’s a culture that has driven our success and is the envy of others.”
Port Adelaide's all-conquering 1914 team
Port Adelaide supporters can buy a special Magpies home game membership to gain access to the SANFL Showdown and the grudge match against traditional rivals Norwood for just $30.
Buy your special offer Magpies membership
The Port Adelaide Cheer Squad will be at full capacity for the standalone Port Adelaide game, and will lift a commemorative banner for the Magpies to run through when they enter the arena.
A pre-match event will also be held on the day.
Port Adelaide plays the Crows at 2:10pm on Saturday 26 June.
The Port Adelaide 1914 heritage guernsey is available now exclusively through the Power Megastore at Alberton Oval or online at powermegastore.com.au.
Youth sizes of the 1914 guernsey also available at the Power Megastore
The tradition of captains wearing the No. 1 guernsey wasn’t in vogue back in 1914, indeed it was one of the first seasons numbers had been used in South Australian football to identify players.
But the man who will lead the Magpies against the Crows, himself pulling on his first Port Adelaide heritage jumper, fully understands the significance of the occasion.
“We're all well aware of the tradition and culture that this club has dating back to 1870,” skipper Steven Summerton said.
“And to have the opportunity to pull on a guernsey which has such significance to the club is a big thrill for us and something which we’ll cherish.
“Performances like that from our 1914 team are what have built such a winning culture here at Port Adelaide.
“It’s a culture that has driven our success and is the envy of others.”
Port Adelaide's all-conquering 1914 team
Port Adelaide supporters can buy a special Magpies home game membership to gain access to the SANFL Showdown and the grudge match against traditional rivals Norwood for just $30.
Buy your special offer Magpies membership
The Port Adelaide Cheer Squad will be at full capacity for the standalone Port Adelaide game, and will lift a commemorative banner for the Magpies to run through when they enter the arena.
A pre-match event will also be held on the day.
Port Adelaide plays the Crows at 2:10pm on Saturday 26 June.
The Port Adelaide 1914 heritage guernsey is available now exclusively through the Power Megastore at Alberton Oval or online at powermegastore.com.au.
