Dear Members and Supporters,

After the euphoria of the Qualifying Final win, this week feels a little like the calm before the storm.

A chance for the boys to re-charge their batteries, and the rest of us to get ourselves organized for the next phase of this monumental campaign.

The great news is that the on field team are all healthy and looking forward to another rousing Adelaide Oval reception in a week’s time.

Today the SMA announced that despite the Northern Mound being open to 600 patrons, SA Health has ruled that the stadium attendance had to remain capped at 50% for our Preliminary Final.

We’re disappointed that more of our members won’t have the opportunity to be at Adelaide Oval next Friday night. We were hopeful on the basis that a crowd of 31,000 had been part of the Government’s pitch for an Adelaide Oval AFL Grand Final and this game is only a week short of that date. At the same time, we appreciate that SA Health have a responsibility to all South Australians and have done an outstanding job in ensuring our state is in a far better position that most right now.

Off field, I know there are a few little issues that we need to update you on.

Firstly, you may be finding the Port Store online shopping experience a bit bumpy. Sorry about that.

We’re currently in the process of changing our online store provider  and we understand the timing is not ideal.

What I can guarantee is that the new store is seriously impressive and we’d love nothing more to launch it in a couple of weeks after a big win in Brisbane!

And for those of you trying to purchase a Prison Bar guernsey for the final…unfortunately they’re all sold out!

Good in some ways, as this is the best- selling item in the AFL this year, but annoying none the less. We’re doing our best , but our processes have been hampered by COVID and delivery times have been affected.

We know you want to show your colours more now than ever, so we have extended the trading hours at the Port Store at Alberton and have new gear coming in most days at the moment, so come down to the club and check it out.

Some are also asking about the Port Club renovations. They are progressing. We’re expecting that the project will accelerate considerably once the season has finished, but in the meantime we will be continuing without the bistro. The gaming and bar area remain operational, under COVID conditions.

We are focused on renovating the downstairs area first, better displaying the vast array of memorabilia and historical artefacts, before turning our attention to the upstairs section. You really have to see the items we have collected, to believe it. You’re going to love it.

We’ve also received a number of enquiries in the last week regarding the screening of our 150^th anniversary film This is Port Adelaide. Our team is still capturing all the key inner sanctum moments across our finals campaign. As a result, the launch of This is Port Adelaide will now be in late November with several screenings available for our members from that time. The club will have more details regarding screening times and how you can secure tickets in the coming weeks.

With all of these developments, could I ask for your patience.

The team is working hard under difficult circumstances to make your experience through this finals campaign the best it can be.

On Monday, tickets go on sale for the Preliminary Final.

It will be an identical process to the first final we played, which seemed to be executed without too much difficulty in most instances.

Instructions will be issued soon, but if you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact the membership team who are ready to assist.

Through all of this, let’s remember one thing…as Port Adelaide supporters, these are the moments we cherish.

Yes it gets busy, tickets are hard to find, details about the next match may come out a little slower than normal…but that’s finals footy!

When we finally get to the ground, or crank up the TV at home… and the boys run out onto the ground to the deafening roar of the home town faithful…there simply is no place you would rather be!

Enjoy the quiet while it lasts, we’ve got serious business to attend to.

See you at the footy.

KT