Troy and Shane Bond threaten court action over the unauthorised use of their image on Showdown Shield and Medal

It is the iconic image behind one of the greatest moments in Showdown history. But now Adelaide and Port Adelaide are in a legal fight with ex-players over its use. Read the full legal letter.

A legal showdown has erupted over the use of an iconic photograph.

A legal showdown has erupted over the iconic photograph at the centre of the Adelaide-Port Adelaide rivalry.

Ahead of Saturday night’s Showdown 54 at the Adelaide Oval, lawyers for former Crows premiership star Troy Bond and his brother, ex-Power champ Shane Bond, have threatened court action over the unauthorised use of their image on the Showdown Shield, Showdown Medal and match promotion material.

The famous image of Troy and Shane was taken after Showdown 2 in August 1997 and captures the brothers arm-in-arm walking off Football Park in pouring rain after a narrow Adelaide win.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE FULL LEGAL LETTER

The pic was snapped by former Adelaide Advertiser photographer Phil Hillyard.

Top South Australian lawyer Greg Griffin wrote to both clubs earlier this month seeking a meeting to discuss “our clients’ claim in relation to the use of their likenesses for promotional purposes”.

“We write to provide notice that our clients intend to commence legal proceedings against each of you in the District Court of South Australia,” the letter says.

The iconic image is now at the centre of a legal showdown. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Troy and Shane played in the thrilling showdown.

Mr Griffin says the Bond brothers did not authorise the Crows, Power or charity partner Variety SA to use their image and only became aware of the move days before the introduction of a revamped Showdown Shield in 2018.

The two players are seeking a formal agreement and payment for past and ongoing use of their image rights.

“It is extremely unfortunate to say the least that in the AFL system the Indigenous players simply get treated differently to the rest,” Griffin said.

“It has to stop and unless players are willing to make a stand nothing will change. Throwing the occasional ticket to a game is not a commercial payment. We wanted to meet to sort something out but they declined.

“We are prepared to appoint a mediator to avoid litigation which is their preferred option but that needs both clubs to agree to that process.”

Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide confirmed they would meet with the brothers after this week’s Showdown when contacted.

The trophy was absent from a joint press conference on Monday and the clubs have agreed to keep the use of the image to a minimum for Showdown 54.

Troy played 58 games for the Crows between 1996 and 1999 and was a member of Malcolm Blight’s 1997 premiership-winning team.

The image on the Showdown trophy. Picture: Emma Brasier

Shane played 57 games for the Power from 1997-2000 and won a flag at West Coast in 1994.

The legal letter claims the use of the Bonds’ image “constitutes a wrongful appropriation of our clients’ professional reputations”.

“Your use of our clients’ likenesses in the manner described above implies that a commercial relationship exists between our clients, PAFC, AFC and Variety SA whereby our clients receive payment or other benefits in exchange for their continued approval or endorsement of, PAFC, AFC, Variety SA and/or the ‘Showdown’ matches,” it states.

It claims the Bond brothers have suffered loss and damage because of the conduct.

In 2018, Shane told the Port Adelaide website of the striking of the Showdown Shield: “It’s just a fantastic honour and very humbling.”

“It’s a little bit embarrassing and very humbling but to have my kids see that and my parents and my community and relatives is just very humbling,” Shane said.

The Bond brothers together in 2018. Picture: Sarah Reed

In 2021, a public competition was held where fans were asked to redesign the Shield with a condition stating that entries “must incorporate” the image of the Bond brothers.

Two years ago Hillyard recalled how he had kept the camera lens on the pair in the dramatic final stages of the 1997 Showdown.

“They made the picture, I just had to take it,” Hillyard told the Adelaide Advertiser.

Troy, who put the Crows in front with a late goal that day, said in 2021: “I was fortunate enough to be able to sneak out the back and get one and put us in front.

“And after the game we just had a bit of a smile about it, said that’s the way these things can go and that was it.”

Both brothers have said the image hangs on a wall in their homes.

Originally published as Troy and Shane Bond threaten court action over the unauthorised use of their image on Showdown Shield and Medal