Power fans feel the sting of another Preliminary Final loss

The Power has once again fallen one win short from a spot in the AFL grand final and Port fans are once again feeling the sting of a Preliminary Final loss.

The Power run through their banner during the 2024 AFL First Preliminary Final match against the Sydney Swans at The Sydney Cricket Ground on September 20, 2024. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

In the dying seconds of the third quarter, the “Syd-ney, Syd-ney” chant roared around the SCG.

The Swans were up by 40 points, and the crowd knew they were home.

The chant only built in intensity in the last quarter – and the roar at the final siren was deafening.

For Port Adelaide, it was the same old heartbreaking story – the fourth preliminary final in the 12 years of Ken Hinkley’s reign had produced the same result as the previous three. Disappointment.

Port Cheersquad in full voice. Myles Neal and David Shelley. Picture: Dean Martin

The Power has once again fallen one win short from a spot in the AFL grand final.

Friday night’s 36-point loss came in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 44,000 fans, the heavy majority wearing red and white.

Port trailed by nine points at quarter time, 25 at the main break and 40 at three-quarter time in a game in which it failed to bring the intensity that had carried them over the line against Hawthorn the previous week.

The loss means Hinkley, who surpassed Mark Williams’ games record on Friday night, will next year go into his 13th season without a grand final appearance.

Besties (at least until the end of the game), Hester Van Eersel,(Swan fan) and AJ Walters (Port). Picture: Dean Martin

And it could also be the last time key forward Charlie Dixon lines up in the black, white and teal, while veteran Travis Boak, 36, also remains uncontracted for season 2025.

The thousands of Port fans who made the long journey to Sydney will return home disappointed after their team finished the home-and-away season second on the ladder but once again failed to capitalise.

Sydney-based mother and daughter Power fanatics Carolyn and Bella Tonkin were part of a small group of fans sitting under the scoreboard in the Dally Messenger Stand.

“It’s just sad and disappointing,” Carolyn said.

“I mean, the boys have come so far and we love our boys through and through, but, honestly, it’s just not been their night.

“But we’ll be sticking with them, through thick and thin, and heading down to Adelaide whenever we can to watch them play. I’m always there for the boys.”

Bella said she was feeling “pretty rinsed” after the game but she was still looking forward to next season.

Zaydon Burnell made the trip from SA to Sydney. Picture: Dean Martin

“Jason Horne-Francis and Connor Rozee are just coming into their prime, and (Zac) Butters … and that’s still a source of hope. I still think we are a finals team next year.”

Tom Hayter, whose great-great-grandfather played for Port Adelaide, was similarly gutted.

“It’s a pretty disappointing end to what had been a promising season,” he said.

“Tonight’s performance has been pretty frustrating. We’ve been pretty comprehensively outplayed and just not done a lot of the basic stuff well.

“And given that five weeks ago, we knocked off Sydney by 112 points … to be not even competitive tonight is pretty disappointing.”

(LtoR) David Shelley, Justin Thomas, and Michael Churches. Picture: Dean Martin

Mr Hayter said Port appeared a different team to the one that beat the Hawks but the form dip was symptomatic of a season that featured many fluctuating fortunes.

“I truly think that on our day we can beat anyone in the comp,” he said. “It wasn’t to be today, but maybe next year.”

Earlier, before the game, nerves were high in the Port Adelaide cheer squad behind the northern goals.

Port Cheersquad in full voice. Picture: Dean Martin

Though their numbers were dwarfed by those wearing red and white, the Power fans promised to barrack loud and proud after making the journey to the SCG.

“I’m quietly confident,” Dave Shelley said before the first bounce.

“We didn’t come all this way over without sleep to not win and not take it back home.”

Danny Marshall was among a convoy of eight fans in two cars who drove non-stop from Adelaide to Sydney and arrived about noonon Friday. They hit two kangaroos on the Hay Plains but arrived safely and with plenty of time to spare.

“I’m nervous, to be honest with you,” Mr Marshall said before the game.

“It’s hard to tell with finals, it’s a whole different ball game. I think we’ll know in the first five minutes what kind of fire the boys have got, and hopefully they can get it done.”

Robbie Davies cheering on the Power. Picture: Dean Martin

Sydney-siders and best mates AJ Walters and Hester Van Eersel are usually teammates on the field for their local club but were wearing rival colours on Friday night.

Ms Walters grew up in Adelaide, gets back to as many Port games at Adelaide Oval as possible and watches every game on television.

“I think the Swans have played really well this year. But go Port, regardless,” she said.

“It’s been a really up and down season – it’s been really hard as a supporter.

“I get really emotional every game, so I would like a season that’s a little bit more normal moving forward.”

A Power fan cheering on Port: Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Excited Swans fans, and in equal measure, dejected Port fans. 20 September 2024. Picture: Dean Martin

Diehard Sao Palmer was glad she flew across on Thursday night to avoid the chaos of cancelled flights on Friday.

“Go the Power,” she yelled as Port players went through their warm-up drills.

“I’m confident we’re going to win. I don’t care who wins, as long as it’s Port Adelaide, I don’t give a hoot.

“I’m really proud of the boys this season. They’ve done really, really well this season to get from where they were, and they’ve kept going and going and going.”