Businesses and fans in Port Adelaide are abuzz with excitement as the Power strives for premiership glory

Power fans in the western suburbs can barely contain their excitement as Port Adelaide begins its quest for ultimate glory in the AFL Finals.

Fans and business leaders are painting the western suburbs in black, white and teal as they dare to dream of a second premiership for their beloved Port Adelaide Power.

A proud national club with its roots deeply entrenched in the western suburbs.

The disappointment of the last three finals campaigns are at the forefront of the minds of its fans, but the spirit and passion of those Power faithful has not wavered.

Businesses are draped in the club’s famous colours, fans are proudly walking the LeFevre Peninsula streets and the pubs will no doubt be full pre-game.

There is a sense of anticipation in the air.

Because it’s about more than a game of footy for those living in Port Adelaide heartland.

Darryl Wakelin in his 2004 premiership guernsey with staff at his pharmacy in Arndale, that is already decked out with Port memorabilia in readiness for finals. Picture Dean Martin

Past Premiership player Darryl Wakelin – who now operates pharmacies in Kilkenny and Port Adelaide – said the finals would serve as an escape from the struggles of the real world.

“It’s been a particularly challenging year for our customers and staff, they’ve been under a hell of a lot of stress with policy changes and also coming off the back of Covid,” he said.

“The energy of finals and the expectation that Port could really run deep in these finals has a massive effect on the mindset of people.”

And Wakelin won’t shy away from it. He has decked out his PharmaSave Arndale Pharmacy with Port Adelaide themed LED signage and memorable photos of the team’s past success.

The fullback in Port Adelaide’s memorable 2004 premiership triumph said it was important to embrace the energy of finals football.

“Whether it’s something as simple as balloons or posters, it triggers that little bit of emotion for people that something special might be about to happen,” he said.

“Anytime Port are playing finals, the energy in Alberton and the wider western suburbs is absolutely electric.”

Sam Powell-Pepper leaving for Brisbane. Picture Dean Martin

Reflecting on his own memories of past premiership success he said the community’s support was also important for the players.

“I remember feeling that energy when you walked through shopping centres, went into your local shops or were just out and about in the community. It felt like everyone was behind you,” he said.

“We have to recreate that for this generation of players.”

He said there would no doubt be a flow-on effect for the area if the team could achieve ultimate success.

“We have already seen a major activation of the LeFevre Peninsula and the port in recent times, there’s a lot of development going on,” he said.

“It’s an absolute buzz going down there and finals presents an opportunity to showcase that to those interstate.”

The pubs and bars in the west are also ready to put on a show for the Port Adelaide faithful.

Alberton Hotel director Matthew Brien said the venue was typically a lot busier during the away finals.

“Obviously getting a home final is great for the team, but for us it’s actually a bit the opposite because more fans actually go to the game rather than come to the pub,” he said.

“I would anticipate we would have a reasonably good crowd here on Saturday night.

“I think people are very conscious of what’s happened in the past, so coming down the pub to watch the first final is probably a lot better economic decision than trying to fly to Brisbane.”

Poking fun at Port Adelaide’s cross-town rivals, Mr Brien said many fans were “keeping a lid on it”.

Port Admiral Hotel Staff keen to capitalise on the business benefits of Port making the finals. Simone Douglas (R) and staff members, Jenny O’Shea (L), and Kerrie Hazelhurst, getting into the Power spirit. Picture Dean Martin

“I don’t think anyone is getting too carried away, there’s another team in Adelaide that tends to do that,” he said.

But he said a Power flag would be a massive coup.

“I think more people who travel to Adelaide would be more likely to come to Port Adelaide because of that connection to the football team,” he said.

“We have so many good things happening and a premiership would only build on that buzz about the place.

“I think back to 2004 and everyone sort of thought that was going to be the start of something bigger and it never really came to fruition. If you don’t take advantage, you can be a long time waiting for another one.”

Port Admiral Hotel publican Simone Douglas said they are expecting a welcome boost for the hospitality industry if the team runs deep into September.

“I think Port Adelaide will light up, should the team go all the way,” she said.

“I think it’s beholden on the community of Port Adelaide to come out in force and I’d expect a street party, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in quite a while.”

As the oldest venue in the suburb of Port Adelaide, Ms Douglas said there was a groundswell of support for the Power that ventures to the pub.

“The people of Port Adelaide and surrounds are very proud human beings and having their football team competing in finals gives them something to look forward to,” she said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we had patrons looking to book specific tables within view of the television for finals.”

But one Port Adelaide diehard won’t be attending the pub.

Celine Sao Palmer caught the red-eye flight to the Sunshine State on Saturday morning and will take her place in the Port Adelaide cheersquad at the Gabba.

Despite growing up a passionate Glenelg supporter, she said Port Adelaide was now her “family”.

“Growing up I was always jealous of how close Port fans seemed to be, but now that I’ve swapped over to the dark side, as they call it, I’m just loving it,” she said.

“When you meet people it’s like you’ve known each other for ages, it really is a family.”

She said she would save her money across the summer to be able to travel to games with the cheersquad.

Port Adelaide Cheer squad members Netsy Manners, Celine Sao Palmer and Leanne Tobias at Alberton Oval, Picture Kelly Barnes

“It’s just flying everywhere, you can literally so we’ve been all over the world because we went to the first game in China as well,” she said.

“I do the banner-making on a Friday and get to go out on the ground before the game, it’s incredible to play a small part in it.”

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said it was amazing how much a football team could lift the spirits of the area.

“They have a massive local supporter base and the passionate locals make their voices heard,” she said.

“A good finals run will lift our spirits but the thing we really want to see them lift is the trophy.

“We hope to see a massive local economic benefit during the finals as people pack out local venues to cheer on the team.”

She said the club was heavily invested in the community and it was time to repay the faith as a council area.

“The club works alongside the council to support local businesses and the local community through some amazing outreach programs that they run, so when finals come around we can’t wait to show our support in return,” she said.

“Port Adelaide is already on the map with a team that plays hard every week, a win will just remind the rest of the country that we are here.”

Richard Branson and David Koch with a Port Adelaide guernsey, cheering on the team from Greece ahead of tomorrow’s final. Picture: Supplied

While there is plenty of interest locally, the game will also hold relevance for some big names around the globe.

President David Koch flew back into the country yesterday after visiting good friend, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson, in Greece.

Mr Branson appears to have well and truly jumped on the Port Adelaide bandwagon, with Koch even gifting him a personalised guernsey.