Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas speaks on how the club will react to AFL banning crowds because of coronavirus

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says the club will inform its members and fans “early next week” whether they will be offered refunds in any way following the decision by the AFL to close stadiums because of the coronavirus.

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Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas says the club will inform its members and fans “early next week” whether they will be offered refunds following the AFL’s decision to play behind closed doors due to coronavirus.

Like his league counterparts Thomas has spent most of the weekend trying to plot a cause forward following the decision by the AFL to hold Round 1 and games in the “foreseeable future” without fans as a precaution to the spread of the virus.

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This will mean the Round 2 Showdown, which was to be the game Port wear its iconic prison bars guernsey for its 150th anniversary, will all be certain played without a crowd at Adelaide Oval.

Thomas flagged the possibility of the Power opting against wearing its iconic guernsey in front of an empty Adelaide Oval.

“The wearing of the prison bars guernsey in front of no people doesn’t sit right with me,” he said on FIVEaa.

Port’s prison bars Showdown, its guernsey worn by Scott Lycett, could be played in front of an empty crowd. Picture: Sarah Reed.

Thomas said Port fans, many of whom who had been contacting the club regarding the status of their memberships, would be updated early next week as to what would happen.

“By early next week we will be out talking about how we make the most out of this pretty ordinary situation,” he said.

“We have to look at all of those things (offering refunds or deferring memberships into 2021), people understand that clubs rely on the revenues from member interaction so there is a price to pay.”

On social media, Port’s executive general manager Matthew Richardson implored members to stay with the club.

“100 per cent of membership revenue stays with your Club. Will be critical through this year,” he posted on Twitter.

“I do say this a lot I know but if ever there was a year to join the club and be a member, at any level, I can’t emphasise enough just how important that is going to be this year.”

Thomas also pleaded for patience as the club figures out a new way for fans to interact with the club despite being locked out of the ground.

Charlie Dixon celebrates with Power fans in Whyalla during the Marsh Community Series. Picture: Matt Turner/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“What I would say if people don’t mind just hold on we will come out with a whole range of things that we have thought about that will enable them to make a decision,” he said.

Port Adelaide has also extended its coronavirus preventive measures.

Any external engagement has been postponed.

This includes club events and their community programs until further notice.

Port administration will also be encouraged to operate from home wherever possible.

Club will communicate update re R2 once we know. At this stage all we have clarity on is R1. A lot to work through w the fixture by AFL, then club can determine what happens from there, members will be first to know. If ever there was a time to be a member of your club, it’s now! https://t.co/H8Jbs81vEZ

— Matthew Richardson (@mrichoPAFC) March 13, 2020

The football and high performance department at Alberton will remain closed to external visitors, but the retail precinct – including the Port Club and the Port Store – will remain open with increased hygiene precautions implemented.

Adelaide Oval members also remain in the dark, with the Stadium Management Authority on Friday night informing them the decision would have “significant implications for a wide range of scheduled events in coming months” at the ground.

Originally published as Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas speaks on how the club will react to AFL banning crowds because of coronavirus