Port Adelaide fans slammed for mass walkout in GWS Giants final

Port Adelaide fans have been labelled ‘disgraceful’ and ‘disrespectful’ over a video that emerged during the finals loss to GWS.

James Dampney

2 min read

September 18, 2023 - 10:55AM

Port fans walk out (left) as GWS romped to victory. Photos: X and News Corporation

Port Adelaide fans are being slammed for their decision to leave Saturday’s AFL final against GWS well before the final siren.

The Power were firm favourites to win the semi-final and keep their season alive at home, but were thoroughly outplayed by the Giants in a 23-point defeat.

One social media user has since posted a video of scores of Port fans leaving, reportedly with a hefty 22 minutes remaining in the match.

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Compounding the issue for some watching on was the fact the fans also failed to stick around for a farewell to retiring captain Tom Jonas.

The defender didn’t play in the match, but was chaired from the ground at full-time by his teammates as the curtain was drawn on his 215-game career.

Port fans walk out (left) as GWS romped to victory. Photos: X and News Corporation

Both teams pay their respects to retiring Port skipper Tom Jonas. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Port Adelaide fans leaving in droves with 22 minutes on the clock in the final quarter of a semi-final,” wrote Steve Rice alongside a video of fans leaving posted to X, formerly Twitter.

“Never let them take the moral high ground on leaving early ever again.”

It should be noted Rice is an Adelaide Crows fan, but the footage does speak for itself.

Fans responded fiercely to the vision, with the video viewed over 255,000 times and generating almost 150 comments.

“Disgraceful behaviour & disrespectful to their retiring captain,” was one reply. “Have never left early & never will.”

Port Adelaide fans leaving in droves with 22 minutes on the clock in the final quarter of a semi final. Never let them take the moral high ground on leaving early ever again #AFLPowerGiants pic.twitter.com/PPn7M9wxiZ
— Steve Rice (@SteveRice) September 16, 2023

“Great fans when they are in front but disappear very quickly when they look like losing,” wrote another. “Bunch of frontrunners.”

Plenty of ticked off onlookers couldn’t resist the opportunity to make fun of Port Adelaide’s theme song, Never Tear Us Apart from INXS, which is played at the start of every home match.

Some of the comments included:

“Obviously GWS tore them apart,” wrote one fan.

“Leaving a home final of your team, Port fans are pathetic. Never tear us apart huh,” wrote another.

“You ‘will never tear us apart’ because we ain’t together bro,” wrote a third.

Giants fans were the ones celebrating with their team after the game. Photo: Phil Hillyard

It’s not the first time Port fans have left a match early.

They famously poured out of Adelaide Oval during a match against St Kilda in 2017, when the team actually kicked two goals in the dying minutes to record a comeback victory.

The frustration of some Power supporters is understandable as the team suffered yet another familiar finals flame-out.

For a club that holds a record 36 SANFL premierships, winning one AFL flag in 2004 since it entered the competition back in 1997 is considered unacceptable.

Disgraceful behaviour & disrespectful to their retiring captain. Have never left early & never will.
— David Evans (@DavidEvans_59) September 17, 2023

The 13.15 (93) to 9.16 (70) defeat to the Giants left Ken Hinkley with a 5-7 win-loss record in finals and yet to reach a grand final from 11 seasons in charge.

He also signed a fresh two-year deal late in the season.

While Port did lead early in the second quarter against GWS, a run of five consecutive goals from the visitors in that term broke the game open.