Fans called for AFL to overturn their decision not to allow Port to wear the black and white jumper

The AFL’s call not to allow Port Adelaide to wear its traditional black and white guernsey in the upcoming Showdown has left supporters livid.

The decision by the AFL to reject Port Adelaide’s bid to wear its traditional black and white guernsey in the Round 8 Showdown against Adelaide next week has caused outrage in the club’s heartland of Port Adelaide,

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said wearing the black and white was about representing the area’s history.

“Port Adelaide and the Lefevre Peninsula has a rich and storied history dating back to 1836, with the black and white stripes being worn by local sporting clubs throughout that time,” she said.

“Local teams with strong pasts across all codes of sport continue to wear the colours that represent the history of our passionate community, including football, hockey, cricket, netball, soccer and rugby.

“To me this isn’t about the colours that a football team wears, it is about proudly wearing something that embraces the history of Port Adelaide, its sport, and its people who played a significant role in the formative years of Adelaide and the state of South Australia.”

Port Adelaide Cheer Squad newsletter editor Jo Curyer couldn’t see the reasoning behind the decision.

“It’s a Showdown game, it’s an SA game and that’s our heritage as the Port Adelaide Football Club,” she said.

“If it’s a game played here in SA, it should have no impact on the rest of the competition.”

Ms Curyer has been a Port Adelaide supporter all her life and grew up going to games at Alberton Oval – always sitting on the wing.

“My family have always been such huge supporters, I remember my dad painting some stools black and white for when we went to watch the footy at other ovals,” she said.

Alberton Hotel director Peter Brien said the drama about the guernsey had been the red hot topic at the pub.

“It’s all everyone has been talking about for weeks, because everyone wants the team to wear it,” he said.

Shannon Burton wearing her dad Rod Burton’s guernsey, Port Adelaide Cheer Squad’s Jo Curyer and Alberton Hotel Director Peter Brien at the Alberton Hotel after hearing the news that Port can't wear the traditional prison bar jumper at the Showdown. Picture: Matt Turner.

One particular aspect to the debate really grinds Mr Brien’s gears – hearing it referred to as the ‘prison bar’ guernsey.

“I’m 75 and have lived here all my life. Growing up, I watched the matches every week and used to cry if they lost. To me it will always be the Port jumper,” he said.

Alberton Hotel staff member Shannon Burton, whose dad Rod Burton played for Port Adelaide for eight years in the 1970s, said the black and white means so much to the club’s former players.

“Just seeing the passion he has for the black and white, and the emotion behind it, he just adores the club,” she said.

Port supporter Ian Wilson said he was disappointed with the decision.

“I could not see why a compromise was not reached that would satisfy both Port Adelaide and Collingwood,” he said.

“If we only wore it for home Showdowns that would have been satisfactory from my point of view.”