Port Adelaide Football Club

Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club, nicknamed The Power in the Australian Football League (AFL). It played in the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) from 1870 until 1996. During this time, the club won an Australian record 34 league premierships and earned the title of the most successful Australian rules football club in the world. In 1997 Port Adelaide joined the Australian Football League. Within eight years, Port Adelaide won their first AFL Premiership.

Club History

Port Adelaide was founded on 20 April 1870 and played its inaugural match on 24 May 1870 at Buck's Flat, Glanville. Captain John Hart (president), and messrs. R.W. Leicester (secretary), G.Ireland (treasurer), J.A. Rann, R.Carr and L.Bridgland were elected as the inaugural committee of the Port Adelaide Football Club. This means that Port Adelaide is not only one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia, it also predates clubs such as Manchester United and the Chicago Cubs, as well as some internationally popular sports such as basketball.

Related Topics:
20 April - 1870 - 24 May - Australia - Manchester United - Chicago Cubs - Basketball

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Based in the western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, Port Adelaide Football Club derives its name from the Port Adelaide area it is situated in and developed a strong following amongst the working class denizens of the western suburbs and a strong rivalry with the wealthier clubs of Adelaide's east and south. The success of the club can be gauged by its record 34 SANFL premierships and four "Champions of Australia" titles, as well as producing some of the all-time greats of Australian rules football, including Russell Ebert, Craig Bradley, Gavin Wanganeen and Milan Faletic.

Related Topics:
Adelaide - South Australia - Port Adelaide - Russell Ebert - Craig Bradley - Gavin Wanganeen - Milan Faletic

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The Port Adelaide Football Club has been known as the Seasiders, The Magentas, The Mudholians, The Portonians, The Cocledivers, The Seasidemen, The Magpies and now the Power

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In 1990, Port Adelaide attempted to enter a team in the AFL but failed to gain a majority vote from the other AFL clubs. Collingwood, concerned with having their identity as the original Magpies challenged, was particularly concerned. Port Adelaide's attempt to join the AFL forced the SANFL's hand and the Adelaide Crows were formed to represent a South Australian presence in the AFL, two years ahead of plan.

Related Topics:
1990 - Collingwood - Adelaide Crows

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The Port Adelaide Football Club was finally admitted to the AFL in 1997. The first club from another league to become part of the AFL/VFL since 1925. The club adopted the nickname "Power" and added silver and teal to its famous black and white . The members of the Port Adelaide Football Club at the annual general meeting voted for the continuance of a Port Adelaide presence in the SANFL as a condition of its entry into the AFL. ( This condition was placed on the PAFC by the SANFL ).

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The club that would maintain a Port Adelaide presence in the SANFL should carry all the hallmarks of the Port Adelaide Football Club and it would be called the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club, The Port Adelaide Football Club was no longer a part of the SANFL.

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The Adelaide Football Club, formed in 1991 as a result of Port's initial aborted AFL bid, have an intense home-town rivalry with the PAFC, stemming mainly from Port's dominance of the SANFL for over a century and from the ill-feeling generated by what many non-Port fans saw as Port Adelaide's treachery by attempting to join the AFL in 1990.

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Since moving to the AFL from the SANFL, the PAFC has performed well, carrying on a proud and traditional approach to the Australian game it has had since 1870. Port made the finals in its third AFL season (1999), won three consecutive minor premierships from 2002 to 2004, and its first AFL Premiership on 25 September 2004, defeating the Brisbane Lions .

Related Topics:
25 September - 2004 - Brisbane Lions

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