Port Adelaide faithful bet on underdogs in Gabba finals blockbuster

Port Adelaide will travel to Queensland to take on the season’s No. 2 team on Saturday. But they won’t be alone.

Excitement is building for the first round of AFL finals this weekend with third-placed Port Adelaide taking on second-on-the-ladder Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Four dedicated Port fans – who call themselves the Teal Ladies – are travelling to Brisbane to watch their boys in action.

The Teal Ladies have promised to always wear a teal-coloured bespoke jacket to all Port games they attend.

One of them is Zoe Smith, who said it had always “been my dream to see as much teal across Adelaide Oval as much as possible”.

“I set up the (Teal) club about seven years ago and we’ve been going strong ever since.

“We just love our team. We’ll follow them pretty much anywhere.

“Earlier this year we were in Tazzy and saw the boys over there but due to the fact that we now made it to the finals, we get to go to Brizzy and who knows where else after too.”

Ms Smith said the teal group was confident of a Port win over Brisbane.

“I just have this feeling and it’s a good feeling,” she said.

Teal Ladies Zoe Smith, Louise Hughes, Michelle Foyle and Sue Connor. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

“There’s so many good things going on the club and the boys just have to believe in themselves and they will have all of us behind them.”

Ms Smith admit that the Lions are “hard to beat in their hometown but someone’s gotta do it so why can’t we do it.”

The Teal Ladies have said to have sold about 60 of the teal jackets to Port Adelaide fans all over the country.

Port Adelaide had an open training session on Tuesday morning that attracted more than 100 loyal fans, including four-year-old Mazey Stocks, who had the pleasure of meeting some of her Port heroes.

Mazey’s mum, Alysha Stocks said Mazey was wearing a Port jersey “and it’s never changed”.

“She was just excited to be there,” Ms Stocks said.

“We did go to a Port game when we played Carlton in Melbourne but this was the first time she’s seen them in Adelaide.”

Georgie Brewster with Lola and, Tracey Dowdell with Henley. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Leon and Patrica Lam with with Alexa Bucco, Giuseppe and Carmillee. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

While at the training session, Mazey got to high-five the players as they were walking down towards the oval.

She even sang her all-time favourite player, Aliir Aliir, happy birthday.

Mazey then made her way onto the oval at Alberton and got a photo with Connor Rozee, her second favourite player.

Tracey Dowdell and her two-year-old son Henie are big Port Adelaide supporters too.

Ms Dowdell said she’d been a Port supporter all her life.

“My pop went for Port Power and I copied him,” she said.

Ms Dowdell said she had a good feeling about Port Adelaide’s chances of winning the first round of finals.

“I know Brisbane hasn’t been losing recently but I still think we’ve got a pretty good chance,” she said.

The Brisbane Lions was on a four-game winning streak when they lost their final game of the home and away season against Richmond.

Port Adelaide has won their last three games against Richmond, Fremantle and the GWS Giants but lost to the Adelaide Crows in a controversial Showdown in Round 20.

Power will go into Saturday’s final as the underdog, despite beating the Lions in their last encounter by 54 points.

Lachlan and Mazey Stocks with Hendrix and Alysha. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

Where, when to watch Port Adelaide Power v Brisbane Lions

It’s the showdown as Brisbane Lions take on Port Adelaide on Saturday night with the kick off at 6:55pm.

The competition is tough for our Port team as the Lions have remained undefeated in their home arena this season and have also entered their fourth consecutive win.

Our Port Power team have enjoyed their bounce-back season after being the underdogs of last year.

Port’s major weapon is their midfield team up between Zak Butters and Connor Rozee and the young sidekick Jason Horne-Francis.

The trio has helped Port rank in no.1 place in the AFL for the points scored from centre bounch differential.

If these three are given a chance to play against the Lions there’s a good chance for Port have success in the upcoming match.

This will be the first time that Lions abd Port meet after almost a six month gap since their previous competition.

Power captain Tom Jonas with fans. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

DISTRICT AT SKYCITY

125 North Tce, Adelaide

The District hosts a 20m video wall in the Sports Bar for fans to watch the epic showdown between Port and the Lions. The starting time is 6:55pm.

THE HIGHWAY

290 Anzac Hwy, Plympton

A stunning location showing the game on the big screen but with the sound off for those who want to cheer on Port and have a conversation with your family.

THE ROSEY

160 Hindley St, Adelaide

A city favourite will showing the quarter final game on their screens.

THE GOODY

75 Goodwood Rd, Adelaide

This family-owned Goodwood hotel will show the footy game live and loud on their big screen in one of their bar areas.

THE GULLY

1349 North East Rd, Tea Tree Gully

The Gully will have most of their screens showing the game but the Garden is fully booked out, leaving only the free standing tables available.

Chelsea Papalia, Tarja Cesaro and Sophie Whinnen. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

THE BATH HOTEL

232 The Parade, Norwood

Throughout the spacious hotel which are filled with screens the show down will be playing.

RAMSGATE HOTEL

328 Seaview Rd, Henley Beach

The screens will be showing the game but the beer garden will also have the sound.

FLAGSTAFF HOTEL

1497-1503 Main South Rd, Darlington

The Flagstaff Hotel will be playing the Port v Lions game on their big TV for the footy fans to enjoy.

MURRAY BRIDGE HOTEL

20 Sixth St, Murray Bridge

The game will be on the screens and their long lists of beers, wines, cocktails and other beverages will be there too.

MIDWAY TAVERN

212 Midway Rd, Elizabeth Downs

The Midway Tavern is playing the game without sound but they offer a number of specials with a standout deal of $20 for a beer jug or a $20 sangria jug on Saturday night.

BRIGHTON METRO HOTEL

466 Brighton Rd, Brighton

The TV screens in Brighton’s Metro will be filled with the excitement of the match, with sound, and an offer of 2 cocktails for the price of $25 too.

Other places which have stated to be willing to accommodate to their visitors include Mount Gambier Hotel, Port Lincoln Hotel and the Victoria Hotel.

Originally published as Port Adelaide faithful bet on underdogs in Gabba finals blockbuster