Club History Before the Crows, there was the Redlegs

[Magpiespower]

 

[NoddyHolder]

Great article Magpiespower. Bruce Weber should have a grandstand named after him at Adelaide Oval, instead he is vilified. He sacrificed himself for the greater good of Port Adelaide and SA footy. Died too young but at least he lived long enough to see our first AFL flag.

 

[Magpiespower]

Great article Magpiespower. Bruce Weber should have a grandstand named after him at Adelaide Oval, instead he is vilified. He sacrificed himself for the greater good of Port Adelaide and SA footy. Died too young but at least he lived long enough to see our first AFL flag.

Absolutely, positively, most definitely, 100% fo' sho!

Well, he deserves some sort of recognition. Induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame would be fitting. The Adelaide Football Establishment would be beside itself.

In the unlikely event I'm ever flush with funds, I'll mother f@%king fork out for a towering bronze statue of Bruce to be erected at the corner of Queen and Brougham so it's the first thing you see when rocking up to Alberton.

"Weber's Vision" might look something like this...

 

[Ford Fairlane]

How's this for a quote from Don Roach, 1982...

"Success and planning by the VFL in marketing and refining Australian football has led the SANFL to the conclusion that the VFL's plan to extend its competition has considerable merit. The SANFL wishes to become par of expanded competition. The sooner the announcement and commitment is made to support the VFL in its expansion and development of the competition so it becomes the national competition, the better."

 

[GremioPower]

It (The need for a composite side) was about maximising audiences and TV rights deals. The VFL was struggling financially as a comp not to mention many of the vic clubs.

VFL could want a composite side, but SANFL shoudn't have accepted it. Hindsight, but the plan should have been to maximize SA clubs in AFL. If they wanted a composite side, it must have represented half of the league; not all of it. SANFL plan should have been for two composite sides, plus Port.

 

[Rising Power]

Speaking of 1990...this is on tonight at the State Library as part of the 140 years of SANFL exhibition :

1990.. The Fall Out & The Future
Hosted by Keith Conlon (ugh)

A frank look at the introduction of the South Australian teams into the AFL Competition and what does the future hold for SANFL?

Panel members:
Greg Boulton
Jake Parkinson
Bill Sanders
Leigh Whicker

Should be fun. Hoping to see some old fogies being unintentionally ironic when they shout out "you Port bastards ruined SA football forever" whilst wearing Crows 97-98 paraphernalia. Hopefully Leigh and Bill can contain their outrage.

Sold out btw.

 

[Needs Gravy]

Absolutely, positively, most definitely, 100% fo' sho!

Well, he deserves some sort of recognition. Induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame would be fitting. The Adelaide Football Establishment would be beside itself.

In the unlikely event I'm ever flush with funds, I'll mother f@%king fork out for a towering bronze statue of Bruce to be erected at the corner of Queen and Brougham so it's the first thing you see when rocking up to Alberton.

"Weber's Vision" might look something like this...

View attachment 392575

Was it just bigfootball talk or was the club going to commision a Weber statue for Alberton.

 

[Steve Dore]

Speaking of 1990...this is on tonight at the State Library as part of the 140 years of SANFL exhibition :

1990.. The Fall Out & The Future
Hosted by Keith Conlon (ugh)

A frank look at the introduction of the South Australian teams into the AFL Competition and what does the future hold for SANFL?

Panel members:
Greg Boulton
Jake Parkinson
Bill Sanders
Leigh Whicker

Should be fun. Hoping to see some old fogies being unintentionally ironic when they shout out "you Port bastards ruined SA football forever" whilst wearing Crows 97-98 paraphernalia. Hopefully Leigh and Bill can contain their outrage.

Sold out btw.

Did Wee Licker get the catering contract?

 

[Magpiespower]

Was it just bigfootball talk or was the club going to commision a Weber statue for Alberton.

BigFooty big talk.

Specifically, me talking shit, lol.

But if the club has a wealthy benefactor out there...

 

[tribey]

BigFooty big talk.

Specifically, me talking shit, lol.

But if the club has a wealthy benefactor out there...

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/bruce-weber-for-port-hall-of-fame.1135105/

The rehabilitation of his achievements and legacy is long overdue.

 

[Rising Power]

Speaking of 1990...this is on tonight at the State Library as part of the 140 years of SANFL exhibition :

1990.. The Fall Out & The Future
Hosted by Keith Conlon (ugh)

A frank look at the introduction of the South Australian teams into the AFL Competition and what does the future hold for SANFL?

Panel members:
Greg Boulton
Jake Parkinson
Bill Sanders
Leigh Whicker

Should be fun. Hoping to see some old fogies being unintentionally ironic when they shout out "you Port bastards ruined SA football forever" whilst wearing Crows 97-98 paraphernalia. Hopefully Leigh and Bill can contain their outrage.

Sold out btw.

A lot of the same stories we've heard before but a few interesting tidbits from tonight (a bit jumbled but anyway...):
- Port amended its constitution in 1988 to reflect its aspiration to compete at the highest level of football in Australia.
- Greg Boulton stated it would have been better for everyone if Port Adelaide left the SANFL completely upon entering the AFL, given the SANFL's requirement to maintain a separate Port Adelaide presence in the SANFL became detrimental to both Ports. Leigh Whicker just looked at the floor and said nothing.
- On the 'real Port' issue, Boulton said it was Port Adelaide who signed the Heads of Agreement, it was Port Adelaide who won the tender for the second licence and it's Port Adelaide that joined the AFL and the Graham Cornes' of the world who believe otherwise can get stuffed. Whicker agreed wholeheartedly until the Cornes reference.
- Whicker confirmed he was very impressed with Port's tender and poked a bit of fun at the other tenders. Sanders agreed and said it was streets ahead.
- In response to the HoA, the SANFL met to decide which SANFL club directors had relationships with the various VFL clubs and essentially sent them off to convince each club one on one as to why a composite SA side would be more beneficial than Port. Sanders said he had Geelong.
- The SANFL basically bribed the AFL clubs to go along with the composite team, with Basheer putting $1m upfront (minus any agreement from SANFL club directors).
- Boulton said during Port's first crack the club only had $157k (something like that) in the bank and vowed that they'd make sure to have a lot more money in the bank for the second licence. Had $2.5m second time round.
- The club is bringing out a book that will detail from its perspective all the goings on around the AFL bids between 1990 and 1996. Will include interviews etc of many non-Port people involved as well. They're hoping it'll be out by Christmas.
- Basheer will release a book when he carks it, to avoid litigation.
- During the questions at the end, some bloke was complaining to Bill Sanders about Woodville merging with Torrens.
- Boulton said that its imperative for the SANFL to keep the AFL reserves in its comp because the a national reserves comp would mean big trouble for the SANFL clubs (Whicker agreed). Somewhat surprisingly, Boulton said that neither Crows or Port would ever win a SANFL flag.
- [Edit: Oh how could I forget this gem!] Port was approached by more than one club to put in a joint/amalgamated bid for the second licence but on the condition that the AFL entity not be called Port Adelaide, based at Alberton or have black and white as club colours.

I'll add some more points if I think of them.

 

[Magpiespower]

- During the questions at the end, some bloke was complaining to Bill Sanders about Woodville merging with Torrens.

lol

Perennial finals, regular grannies and the odd premiership is just too much success for die-hard, rusted-on, cellar-dwelling fans...

 

[GranFormaggi]

lol

Perennial finals, regular grannies and the odd premiership is just too much success for die-hard, rusted-on, cellar-dwelling fans...

I recall playing Torrens at Football Park, mid 80s - I couldn't have been more than 12 or so. One of the aforementioned rusted-on fans, an old Granny (rather than the other type of granny) was generally making a nuisance of herself with her Torrens rubbish. The quote from a nearby fellow Port supporter "shut up you old bag, we'll all be here next year and you'll be in a box"

Too harsh?

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

- The club is bringing out a book that will detail from its perspective all the goings on around the AFL bids between 1990 and 1996. Will include interviews etc of many non-Port people involved as well. They're hoping it'll be out by Christmas.

About bloody time. I remember when Bucky left as CEO after we won the flag, he said one day he would write a book about his time as CEO and chase for the AFL licence. One person we dont need to hear from in the book, is Graham ****ing Cornes. I want to hear from those pulling the strings in 1990 and 1994, from both sides of the debate and from the AFL, not the opinion of personalities.

- Basheer will release a book when he carks it, to avoid litigation.

Typical lawyer, CYA instead of tell the truth. Who is going to sue him, old SANFL cronies??

- Boulton said that its imperative for the SANFL to keep the AFL reserves in its comp because the a national reserves comp would mean big trouble for the SANFL clubs (Whicker agreed). Somewhat surprisingly, Boulton said that neither Crows or Port would ever win a SANFL flag.

Of course it would, but the dills associated with the SANFL clubs can't see it. I wonder if the comment about the flag was a bit of spin by Greg to keep the natives quiet.

Thanks for the report of the night Rising Power

 

[Magpiespower]

I recall playing Torrens at Football Park, mid 80s - I couldn't have been more than 12 or so. One of the aforementioned rusted-on fans, an old Granny (rather than the other type of granny) was generally making a nuisance of herself with her Torrens rubbish. The quote from a nearby fellow Port supporter "shut up you old bag, we'll all be here next year and you'll be in a box"

Too harsh?

Rocked up to a game against Torrens at Footy Park in '85.
Expecting to win easy like always.
They belted us by 91pts.
So confused...

 

[GranFormaggi]

Rocked up to a game against Torrens at Footy Park in '85.
Expecting to win easy like always.
They belted us by 91pts.
So confused...

'83 / '85 not great years

 

[Papa G]

'83 / '85 not great years

The John Harvey era

 

[GreyPower]

Yeah I remember that Torrens game!

Also a game v Norwood ar Footy Park (in 87?) where they smashed us in the first game of a double-header by about 15 goals. Jump forward to the finals in 88 & I think they (Norwood) only kicked 1 goal in the first half!

 

[GreyPower]

The John Harvey era

Who would have thought a change in half back line of

87:
Harvey, Phillips*, G Boyd
(*Phillips & Leslie alternating between CHF & CHB)

TO...

88 Abernethy, Phillips, Leslie..

..would make so much difference!

 

[u2uabrs]

Yeah I remember that Torrens game!

Also a game v Norwood ar Footy Park (in 87?) where they smashed us in the first game of a double-header by about 15 goals. Jump forward to the finals in 88 & I think they (Norwood) only kicked 1 goal in the first half!

and only 2 for the game! Must have been warming us up for the 89 GF!

 

[Established1870]

VFL could want a composite side, but SANFL shoudn't have accepted it. Hindsight, but the plan should have been to maximize SA clubs in AFL. If they wanted a composite side, it must have represented half of the league; not all of it. SANFL plan should have been for two composite sides, plus Port.

SA won't ever get 3 teams because we don't have the population to sustain it. Sucks to say but a composite was always going to happen unless the NFL happened. Have no doubt that we'd have always been in though.

 

[SgtSchulz]

Remember that when Cahill left for Collingwood he took half the side with him. When he returned he brought them back and we won the flag.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Remember that when Cahill left for Collingwood he took half the side with him. When he returned he brought them back and we won the flag.

I think your memory might be failing you.

Greg Phillips left at the same time as Cahill and he came back to Port before Jack. Abba left before Jack and came back to Port before him too.

Jack won flags from 1988 basically with the young players Russell brought into the team.

 

[SgtSchulz]

I think your memory might be failing you.

Greg Phillips left at the same time as Cahill and he came back to Port before Jack. Abba left before Jack and came back to Port before him too.

Jack won flags from 1988 basically with the young players Russell brought into the team.

Yeah maybe I'm selling Russ's development short.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Yeah I remember that Torrens game!

Also a game v Norwood ar Footy Park (in 87?) where they smashed us in the first game of a double-header by about 15 goals. Jump forward to the finals in 88 & I think they (Norwood) only kicked 1 goal in the first half!

In 1988 Port played Norwood in the last minor round game and the first final. Norwood failed to kick a goal in the second half of the minor round game and the first half of the final. Port held Norwood goalless over 4 consecutive quarters.