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Showdown XI |
So much has been written about this game, by media writers with much more knowledge and skill than I, that when asked to write this article, I really wondered where to begin. Many have criticised the way the game was played as "uninteresting" and "not pretty football". Well, they obviously were not at the same game I attended!
The game started with great intensity, which was to be expected. However, that intensity continued throughout the game and if anything lifted during the last quarter as the clock ran down and the suspense climbed to record heights. As a spectator, I was kept riveted to my seat till the final siren.
It was, without doubt, one of the hardest fought games I have seen in a very long time. The atmosphere was electric, even before the first bounce and I was very interested in a comment by Damien Hardwick (made the day after the game) that the lead up during the week, and the players reaction after the game was comparable to the grand final games he had experienced at Essendon.
As one of the fortunate supporters, who were able to obtain a ticket, it was with mixed feelings that I found my seat among the opposition. After all, for the rest of the year this is our home ground! I had travelled as usual on the Footy Express, where I was asked by the heathen to sit at the back of the bus. Of course I immediately turned round and returned to the front of the bus, informing the hecklers that this was a more appropriate seat for a supporter of the winning team! It was all in good fun and so was the banter at the ground.
Although we did not take the lead till late in the last quarter, I never once felt that the game was out of our reach.
The Crows played one of their best games in a long time but still, we were
always within reach. I can hardly credit the accuracy of our kicking for goal. This accuracy not only kept the score within reach, but showed just how the team as a whole has matured, by not
hitting the panic button. It was this accuracy at the goal front, which had me convinced during the game that we would win this one. However, I must confess to praying for "an early minute" after we finally hit the front! I can well understand why the players spent some time in the rooms after the game, looking at the tape of the last 10 minutes or so of the last quarter. Like many others, I have replayed it several times and still watch it with great excitement. In racing parlance, I think we are breeding stayers not sprinters at Alberton and the resulting finish emphasised the stamina of our players. They no longer run out of legs - leave that to the opposition. Although we missed our great captain, the myth that we can't win without him - perpetrated by the media - has been truly put to rest.
Congratulations to Mark and the team on a great win.
Why would you want to stay at home and watch the footy, when the real excitement is in being there! See you at the footy.
Patricia Cox |
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Power at the Gabba
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| For those travelling to the Gabba for our match with the Lions on the 12th May, the aftermatch function again will be at the Shafston Hotel. The Shafston Hotel is on the corner of Wellington and Lytton Roads, East Brisbane. |
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Highlight of May |
| Would have to be when Friday night football comes to town, our round 9 game with Collingwood. But this time Eddie won't be singing on the turf, but crying in the Football Park commentary box. |
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Milestone |
| Congratulations to Brett Montgomery who played his 50th PAFC game against Carlton in Round 4. |
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First Goal Raffle |
| Don't forget the first goal raffle before every home game. For $2.00 you could win $40.00. On sale before the game behind the goals down the Southern end. |
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Help Wanted |
| The Supporters Club needs help to raise money for the Port Adelaide Football Club. And with upcoming away match functions at the Port Club, we need people to help with these functions. If
you can help in anyway please contact the Supporters Club. |
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Unbiased |
| As a Crow, well done to Mark Aiston for an unbiased call on Channel 10 for Showdown XI. Maybe some Adelaide radio callers and an ex-boundary rider should take note. To an outsider, some of these people appear to be Crow Cheer Squad members. |
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Upcoming Events |
| The Supporters Club is holding the first Away Function for this year, to be held on Sunday 2 June to watch the Power play Hawthorn at York Park, Launceston. Please find the attached flyer for all details. Everyone is encouraged to come along and spend the afternoon with other Supporter Club members. Bring as many friends and family as possible for what promises to be an exciting afternoon. |
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The Barrackers |
| For those who didn't see this show whilst it was in Adelaide for the Fringe Festival, they are putting on a once only show at the Portland Football Club for $20.00. The Supporters Club are organising a table to go along, on Saturday 22 June. This live show is about a football game, focussing on different types of supporters. It received rave reviews from all who went to the show. Please contact Tina Emes on 82400421 for details and bookings. |
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2002 raffle |
The exciting raffle for this year, a 1997 Inaugural Guernsey, signed by players of the first Power AFL game, framed and with certificate of authenticity, will be on sale from the Away Game function in June. Tickets will be $2.00 each, with members being encouraged to take books home for sale. As a fund raising incentive, the Port Adelaide Football Club is offering seats at the Best and Fairest event this year based on amount raised. So we will be pushing to sell as many of these raffle tickets as possible. In addition, a signed guernsey will be awarded to the person who sells the most raffle tickets!
For further info, ring Tina Emes on 82400421. |
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Raffle Sponsors |
| Acknowledgments must go to Hoffman Travel, Prices Bakery, Movieland
and the Siddell family for their donations for our raffle. Many thanks for their contributions. |
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Sponsor |
| The
Supporter Club is after sponsors to help raise money for the
PAFC. Space will be given in every newsletter. For more
details please contact the Supporters Club. |
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Contacts |
PO Box 2356
Port Adelaide 5015
Email pafcsupporters@aol.com.au
Shane Kelly - President
Ph:8285 2229
Tina Emes - Vice President
Ph:82400421
Patricia Cox - Secretary
Ph:82630267 |
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Club
- Upcoming Events
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Hawks on the
big screen at Alberton
Includes roast lunch - Details
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Bus trip to
Melbourne for Carlton Game - Details |
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