Editorial
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After a slow start losing our first two games the Power hit back with 3 great wins including Showdown XI. Power supporters have to put up with a lot in this State, but the treatment Gavin Wanganeen received in the media was a disgrace. We are just lucky the tribunal and investigations are run by the AFL and not the Adelaide media, otherwise Crow players would never get rubbed out and we would be going to the tribunal every week. But once again (fourth in a row) we had the last laugh, thanks to our player’s “never say die” belief in themselves instilled by our wonderful coaching staff. And they didn’t escape the media attention either after our first two losses. Luckily our fans don’t drop off just because of what the media say. All I will say is after our win in Showdown XI, listening to KG and watching Graham Goodings will become very enjoyable. Power On
Shane Kelly |
Membership
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At the time of printing this newsletter, the Supporters Club have 32 members. Welcome to new members John Stevens, Raelene Schilling and Pamela and Sean Eardley. Please continue to encourage friends to join, as our recent new members came from existing members efforts. Thanks Joan and Patricia!
Tina Emes |
Port Adelaide Football Club's Community Youth Project in 2002
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Our Power Community Youth Program for 2002 commenced on January 9th, with a visit to Port Augusta to be part of Youth Activities Day and The Crime Prevention Project.
Brendan Lade, Derek Murray and Nick Stevens travelled with me and had a huge impact on the Aboriginal and non-aboriginal youngsters in the area.
Involvement during the school holidays with the VACSWIM Program was also enjoyable to see the young children learning water safety. Our players (13 of them) spoke to the groups about their experiences with similar programs when they were the same age, about Life Saving, Surfing, the use of swimming pools and the importance of a Healthy Lifestyle in growing up.
We have also visited St Vincent's School Camp at Wellington and Mt Gambier East Primary Schools with the Holiday Literacy Program
In the 1st school term we have visited 21 schools, most with multiple visits. 27 of our players and 4 well known athletes (2 Raven Netballer's & 2 Gold Medallist Olympian Wheelchair Basketballers) have helped delivered our Healthy Lifestyle, Anti-Tobacco, Drug and Alcohol message to Grades 6 & 7's in Primary Schools and Year 8 & 9's in Secondary School.
Overall we have had a great start to the year with our visits and are looking forward to meeting more of the youth of South Australia during the Year 2002.
Written by Russell Ebert
Community Youth Program Coordinator
[The following article was inadvertently omitted from the March Edition of the Newsletter and so is included here. Ed.] |
Trivia
Collingwood has never finished higher in the AFL than Port Adelaide.
Quote of April
"I don't want to go to the Showdown now," KG after Andrew McLeod received 1 week at the AFL tribunal.
Get Well Soon
Commiserations to Damon White on his injury from all members of the Supporters Club. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the field.
Fact
Head to Head - Port Adelaide 5 - Carlton 3. (Unless of course you ask John Elliott). He mustn't count Carlton's win loss record with interstate clubs, after he said on the Footy Show, Carlton had a greater win loss record over every club. |
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Powerful Wizardry Claims Cup!
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The lightning flashes on their Guernsey seemed more than a little appropriate as the boys Powered through the complete pre-season undefeated!
In the first match against Essendon, which we won by 28 points, it was obvious from the minute the team took the field that they meant business. The second game against Fremantle was won by 66 points and left us all breathless and amazed at their incredible speed. These two games were played in the comfort zone of Football Park where we, the supporters, were able to play our part ensuring the excitement continued.
From there to Melbourne, the very aggressive Bulldogs and an anti-Port crowd. Still, we won again, by 41 points, and as well, brought home the psychological advantage of knowing that we can win well, even on opposition turf.
The Sydney game, at home, was different again. Although flooding tactics were employed, we won again, this time by 14 points. We were now the only undefeated team in the competition! However, the AFL, in their wisdom, denied us the opportunity of playing the final at home and instead sent us back to Colonial. The result is now history - a second pre-season cup with a win over Richmond by 9 points. And what an
exciting game - from the very first minute to the final siren!
While not denying the value of Nick Stevens and his well earnt right to the Michael Tuck Medal, there were several other players who contributed outstanding performances during this game - in other words a team effort. And this is what I believe is the greatest gain for us, out of the entire series. We know we can win anywhere, under any conditions, regardless of venue, regardless of crowds - parochial or otherwise - when all players contribute, and we play as a team.
Maybe next time, the AFL will accept that Power supporters, through their Club loyalty, have a right to enjoy watching the best team around, in person.
Congratulations Mark and the entire team on winning consecutive pre-season cups - the last Ansett Cup and the first Wizard Home Loans Cup.
What excitement lies ahead for us this season! Go Power!!
Patricia Cox |
Trip Report - Round 2
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Power v Demons
I went to see Power vs Demons, flying out from Adelaide on the Friday morning before the game. I stayed at the Enterprise Hotel, Spencer Street in Melbourne. It is only a five-minute walk to Colonial Stadium. In the afternoon I travelled around the heart of the city on the tram, visiting a few shops and pubs. On the Saturday I went and watched a couple of AFL games at Optus Oval, seeing the Swans destroy Carlton and that evening watched a very close game when North Melbourne won by 13 points over the Western Bulldogs.
Sunday was matchday for the Power. I woke up to a very warm day, however there were not too many highlights to the day, particularly in the second quarter. The Power wasted a lot of opportunities to kick 1 goal 9 points. The third quarter the boys started to lift the tempo, Matthew Primus kicked a Captains goal from 45 metres out to level the scores. The game was there for the taking at the start of the final term, however the Demons came out and kicked four goals in ten minutes to win by 27 points. At the after match function at the Oxford Scholar, all present were introduced to the owners. However, there wasn't a lot of celebrating to do, other than watching the 36ers win the NBL Preliminary Final on Foxtel. Following this, I went to Lygon Street with friends for dinner and then on to the Casino, only to see the Power game being replayed on the large screen. Things did not improve on the replay! On the Monday before flying home late in the afternoon, I spent the day at St Kilda and Lunar Park. I was exhausted on arriving home. It was a hectic weekend!
Shaun Breen |
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