- PC -
11th July 2007, 06:49
Yep, its a Roochee story (http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,22053483-21543,00.html)
As a Crows supporter and a South Australian, I really get sick of Crows supporters having a go at Port and Port supporters having a go at the Crows. We don't have to like each other's clubs but at least have some respect."
- Daniel, North Haven on the adelaidenow website
SAINT Neil Craig made the point in private - but there is need to tell the tale out of school. He is the forgiving type, so this message should not cause grief in becoming public.
The Adelaide coach argues it is time to remember we - of the Crows and Power leanings - are South Australians. That we have two proud AFL clubs. And they should be promoted and supported for the ultimate success that brings pride to SA, as illustrated in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
It is a beautiful sermon.
One that many of us - be it media types who have thrived by baiting the rivalry between the two clubs ;) or the two supporter bases that have torn at each other - should reflect upon.
There is a bizarre trait in SA. If the Crows are in crisis, Power supporters rush to talkback lines or internet sites to pick on the carcass like vultures.
And when Port's membership and attendance figures are up for debate, Crows fans - who should have no interest - cannot help themselves.
Their vitriol is no less embarrassing than that of Power supporters. It may be a symptom of 1990 - but by now the fever should have passed.
Last week emphasised Craig's point. How sad is it that a frivolous debate on Port's 1977 heritage jumper consumed more attention than the far more important issue of the SA-based AFL clubs suffocating the last flame for State-of-Origin football?
Heritage Round - when the AFL asks its clubs to dress up to honour a bygone era - has now become, for the conspiracy theory folk, a tool for dividing the non-Victorian clubs.
Adelaide becomes the target of Power fans who say the club, founded in 1991, has no heritage. Heavens, even Crows ambassador Ken "KG" Cunningham said it on radio on Saturday. The Power gets accused of donning a "stigma" by wearing black and white - as if wearing teal does not make the club "Port Adelaide".
And Crows fans, who would never barrack for Port, even against Victorian teams, suggest it hurts the club's marketing strategy?
In Perth, Fremantle donned the East Fremantle jumper. So how do the South Fremantle fans who support the Dockers feel about watching their AFL club wear the WAFL jumper of their derby foes? How did former Dockers captain Peter Bell, a South Fremantle boy, cope?
West Coast used the WA state jumper worn in the first State-of-Origin match in 1977. This was rich. A club that will vote against the regular return of origin then promotes the concept in Heritage Round?
Brisbane wore the Fitzroy jumper. But the AFL did not have the Lions play in Melbourne where this gesture could have been fully appreciated.
And at the MCG, two traditional Victorian clubs - Collingwood and St Kilda - played wearing their 2007 jumpers, not those of the 1970s.
The schoolyard sniping between Crows and Power fans - and that in the clearly divided media - is working against the bigger picture of making SA succeed on a national stage.
Perhaps leading up to the next Showdown - on Saturday, August 4 - we can all grow up.
For the record, Craig thinks Port did the right thing by fighting for the right to honour its '77 SANFL premiership team by wearing that jumper in Heritage Round. Craig does not like Port. But he says he respects Port.
It is a theme worth embracing on both sides of West Lakes Boulevard.
----------
My personal feeling is that to win a flag the AFC have to beat 15 teams , to have a mindset of being happy beating Port in Showdowns or crowds is the wrong one. Sure its good to stir along the way , but ultimately the AFC have to beat whoever is in front of them this week and next week and in finals.
This notion of supporters being responsible for SA succeeding on a national scale is funny. Who wags the tail? The media or us?
The only issue I will agree is that getting Ports crowds better will help the SANFL through its 2 AFL clubs in getting better deals for game times.
As a Crows supporter and a South Australian, I really get sick of Crows supporters having a go at Port and Port supporters having a go at the Crows. We don't have to like each other's clubs but at least have some respect."
- Daniel, North Haven on the adelaidenow website
SAINT Neil Craig made the point in private - but there is need to tell the tale out of school. He is the forgiving type, so this message should not cause grief in becoming public.
The Adelaide coach argues it is time to remember we - of the Crows and Power leanings - are South Australians. That we have two proud AFL clubs. And they should be promoted and supported for the ultimate success that brings pride to SA, as illustrated in 1997, 1998 and 2004.
It is a beautiful sermon.
One that many of us - be it media types who have thrived by baiting the rivalry between the two clubs ;) or the two supporter bases that have torn at each other - should reflect upon.
There is a bizarre trait in SA. If the Crows are in crisis, Power supporters rush to talkback lines or internet sites to pick on the carcass like vultures.
And when Port's membership and attendance figures are up for debate, Crows fans - who should have no interest - cannot help themselves.
Their vitriol is no less embarrassing than that of Power supporters. It may be a symptom of 1990 - but by now the fever should have passed.
Last week emphasised Craig's point. How sad is it that a frivolous debate on Port's 1977 heritage jumper consumed more attention than the far more important issue of the SA-based AFL clubs suffocating the last flame for State-of-Origin football?
Heritage Round - when the AFL asks its clubs to dress up to honour a bygone era - has now become, for the conspiracy theory folk, a tool for dividing the non-Victorian clubs.
Adelaide becomes the target of Power fans who say the club, founded in 1991, has no heritage. Heavens, even Crows ambassador Ken "KG" Cunningham said it on radio on Saturday. The Power gets accused of donning a "stigma" by wearing black and white - as if wearing teal does not make the club "Port Adelaide".
And Crows fans, who would never barrack for Port, even against Victorian teams, suggest it hurts the club's marketing strategy?
In Perth, Fremantle donned the East Fremantle jumper. So how do the South Fremantle fans who support the Dockers feel about watching their AFL club wear the WAFL jumper of their derby foes? How did former Dockers captain Peter Bell, a South Fremantle boy, cope?
West Coast used the WA state jumper worn in the first State-of-Origin match in 1977. This was rich. A club that will vote against the regular return of origin then promotes the concept in Heritage Round?
Brisbane wore the Fitzroy jumper. But the AFL did not have the Lions play in Melbourne where this gesture could have been fully appreciated.
And at the MCG, two traditional Victorian clubs - Collingwood and St Kilda - played wearing their 2007 jumpers, not those of the 1970s.
The schoolyard sniping between Crows and Power fans - and that in the clearly divided media - is working against the bigger picture of making SA succeed on a national stage.
Perhaps leading up to the next Showdown - on Saturday, August 4 - we can all grow up.
For the record, Craig thinks Port did the right thing by fighting for the right to honour its '77 SANFL premiership team by wearing that jumper in Heritage Round. Craig does not like Port. But he says he respects Port.
It is a theme worth embracing on both sides of West Lakes Boulevard.
----------
My personal feeling is that to win a flag the AFC have to beat 15 teams , to have a mindset of being happy beating Port in Showdowns or crowds is the wrong one. Sure its good to stir along the way , but ultimately the AFC have to beat whoever is in front of them this week and next week and in finals.
This notion of supporters being responsible for SA succeeding on a national scale is funny. Who wags the tail? The media or us?
The only issue I will agree is that getting Ports crowds better will help the SANFL through its 2 AFL clubs in getting better deals for game times.