Success-starved Glenelg and Port Adelaide fans hoping to end a premiership drought in SANFL grand final on Sunday

It’s been decades since either Port or Glenelg tasted SANFL glory, so it was no surprise to see the black and gold, and black and white armies descend on Rundle Mall, hungry for victory.

Evie White,5 and Millie Lokan ,5, supporting their dads Port Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan and Glenelg player Jesse White during the Rundle Mall Grand Final Eve Presentations. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

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Starved of success for more than 20 years and responsible for one of the biggest and oldest rivalries in the game, the two tribes from Port Adelaide and Glenelg came together in Rundle Mall on Saturday ahead of what promises to be an epic SANFL grand final.

There was more yellow and black than black and white but the Port Adelaide supporters were in full voice chanting “Magpies” and “it’s coming home” as the Thomas Seymour Hill Trophy was presented on stage.

Port Adelaide’s last SANFL flag was in 1999 while those tortured souls who follow Glenelg haven’t tasted the ultimate success since back-to-back glory in 1985-86.

Every club in the competition except South Adelaide has won a premiership in that time.

David Shelley from Tha Alberton Crowd during the Rundle Mall Grand Final Eve Presentations .Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

Glenelg fans were more measured at the teams presentation on grand final eve in the city but one supporter couldn’t help himself from yelling “where’s your sunnies” as Port Adelaide’s Billy Frampton made his way on stage - reference to Frampton’s claim the sun was in his eyes when he was cleared of striking by the SANFL tribunal last week.

The young had their faces painted and the not-so-young preferred to wear their colours on their sleeve, while 40-year-old lifelong Tigers supporter Mark Kent was proudly wearing a 1970s Glenelg Football Club badge he had bought on Facebook marketplace for $10.

Mark Kent supports his Tigers during the Rundle Mall Grand Final Eve Presentations Saturday September 21,2019. Picture: Mark Brake

He was handing out ‘Go Tigers’ posters he had printed this week as he did his part to rally support for a drought-breaking Glenelg premiership.

“I put a post on social media letting people know I’d be here handing them out,” Mark said.

“A few people contacted me saying they were coming over from interstate and were worried we might run out but I’ve got 40 or 50 here.

Magarey Medallist Luke Partington with his Nanna Beverley Ollivier, sister Shae Partington and mum Amanda Partington at Magarey Grove Adelaide Oval. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

“I was only a sprightly seven-year-old watching on TV when they won their last premiership so it’s been a long time between drinks as they say.”

Among the youngest but certainly the most passionate fans were Port Adelaide coach Matthew Lokan’s children, Jack, 8, and Millie, 5, Glenelg coach Mark Stone’s daughter Lila, 9, and Tigers ruckman Jesse White’s daughter, Evie, 5, who had their faces painted in readiness for the big game.

Glenelg Captain Chris Curran holds the Premiership Cup with Port Adelaide captain Cameron Sutcliffe during the Rundle Mall Grand Final Eve Presentations. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

“I’m a bit nervous but I’m hoping they come out on top,” Jack said.

As for his words of advice for his dad before the grand final.

“Get into them ... I say that every time they verse Glenelg.”

Gates at Adelaide Oval open at 8.45am on Sunday. The reserves grand final between Norwood and Woodville-West Torrens starts at 11.25am and the league grand final between Port and Glenelg starts at 3pm.

Jack , Lokan,7, Lila Stone ,9,Millie Lokan 5, and Evie White ,5. Picture: AAP Image/Mark Brake

The league is hopeful of a crowd of 40,000 but is realistically expecting something in the mid 30,000s given the weather forecast is for 15C and showers.

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