Ex-Port premiership stars face former club in Giants’ push for a first flag

A couple of stars that helped win Port Adelaide’s one and only AFL premiership will now attempt to mastermind their demise against GWS this week.

Port Adelaide’s breakthrough premiership in 2004 is playing a role in shaping the Giants’ push for a maiden flag.

The Power were on the precipice of glory for several years having built a phenomenal team throughout the early 2000s. However, it wasn’t until 2004 that they were finally able to achieve the first, and to date only, AFL premiership in the club’s history.

Two members of that side, Adam Kingsley and Brett Montgomery, are now spearheading the Giants’ push towards September and they believe there are some similarities between the two teams.

“I think the main similarities are the fact that we had a lot of great, winning seasons, but we didn’t ultimately get over the line in a couple of years where maybe we should have,” Giants assistant coach Montgomery said.

“Unfortunately, it does take a little bit of teething and pain along the way to learn the lessons before that ultimate success does come. There haven’t been too many teams that have bucked that trend.”

Kingsley and Montgomery have created a style of play that has similarities to the Port Adelaide side of the early 2000s. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Kingsley served a long apprenticeship across the competition before finally taking charge at the Giants last season. He quickly proved his worth, winning the AFLCA Coach of the Year as his side made it within one point of a grand final berth.

However, Montgomery believes there are particular traits of that Port Adelaide premiership team that he sees in the current iteration of the Giants.

“I think most of the time when Kingers and I reflect on our time there, it was probably that what we were doing then still stacks up now,” Montgomery said. “I think almost every assistant coach we had went on to be an AFL senior coach.

“The main similarity I draw upon is that back in ‘04, and probably the two years before that, we had a style of play that just looked stimulating to the playing group. It looked fun to play and it was exciting to watch.

“They’re the comparisons with what we’re trying to do here at the Giants. It’s really important that your players love the style and they find it relevant and significant, but it’s just as important that your fans love to watch it.”

The two ex-Port Adelaide players know that encouraging brand of football is vital to the Giants’ long-term success. Picture: Mark Calleja

The pair have built a strong relationship over the past 25 years as both players and coaches. Although Montgomery admits he has noticed some changes more recently – “Kingers wasn’t quite the size and shape he is today, he was a lightly-framed on-baller in his day.”

But having both experienced what it takes to achieve the ultimate success, they are determined to help deliver that inaugural premiership to the Giants.

While Kingsley’s coaching philosophy prioritises looking at challenges week-by-week, starting this Sunday with a must-win clash against their former side, it’s clear neither wants to rest until GWS has finally won that elusive flag.

Both the Giants and Power will be looking to get their seasons back on track on Sunday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“When I was traded to Port Adelaide, the first impression was this unbelievable desire and thirst for success,” Montgomery said. “It’s this unwavering and unaccepting of losing type mentality.

“To say (winning a premiership) is life-changing, you hear that a bit, but it’s real. You carry it around with great pride and reflect on it quite regularly.

“We were in an incredible period where we just won almost every week. To get over that final hurdle was a massive relief, and I think what we’re seeing with Port’s last 20 years is that the club has worked out that they’re pretty difficult to win.

“(Adam) is a lot more serious than I remember him as a player. But his knowledge of the game, and his belief in what style stacks up, is unwavering. He knows his game inside out.

“I think Port Adelaide today is a little bit like us. They’ve played some really, really good footy and at times they’ve just stalled or showed some inconsistency. So, I think you’ll find two exciting teams on Sunday just trying to get their seasons back up and going again.”

Originally published as Ex-Port premiership stars face former club in Giants’ push for a first flag