David Cunningham’s tattoo celebrating state icons has been voted winner of SA’s best Port Adelaide footy tattoo

A tattoo combining “two icons and beloved treasures” of South Australia has been crowned the state’s best Port Adelaide footy-themed tattoo.

SA’s best Port Adelaide tattoo winner David Cunningham with his inked leg. Picture: Supplied

A tattoo combining “two icons and beloved treasures” of South Australia has been crowned the state’s best Port Adelaide footy-themed tattoo.

David Cunningham’s leg tattoo of a pear draped in a Port Adelaide guernsey and set over a can of famous South Aussie beer West End is the winner of The Advertiser’s reader poll searching for the best Power ink.

Mr Cunningham wins a Port Adelaide 2023 guernsey with certificate of authenticity, valued at $2000, and a club scarf.

He said his tattoo was simply inspired by two of his favourite things.

“I love West End Draught being a South Australian and with the saying ‘Carn the Pear’, it just came to my head that I wanted a tattoo with a pear with the guernsey on it,” he said.

The best Power tattoo winning entry is inked on David Cunningham’s leg.

He has won a signed Port Adelaide guernsey and a scarf.

“I floated the idea to my tattooist and he came back with that and the rest is history.

“Port fans tend to enjoy it, West End drinkers love it and the rest … well, they don’t.”

Mr Cunningham, 45, said he had been a fan of Port Adelaide’s AFL side since its inception, however, in a rare mix of teams, he barracks for Norwood in the SANFL.

“When the Crows formed, they took all my favourite players and I went off them,” he said.

“When Port started, they took some of my favourite players from Norwood but I thought it was time to follow them (into the AFL).”

He listed Roger James and Donald Dickie as two of his favourite early Port Adelaide players.

“I cop a lot of grief when I tell Port Adelaide fans which SANFL side I support.”

Mr Cunningham said he had seen the highs and lows of football as a Port Adelaide supporter.

“I’ve been to many a losing prelim but I was there for the winning one in ’04 plus the grand final in ’04,” he said.

He said he’ll be at the game Saturday night and, while he is a little nervous, he will be supporting loudly.