The last decade has been a joyless time to be a Port member. Sure we have been able to sing the song at the end of the game over 60% of the time, an impressive record. But have we really been able to enjoy it?
Like the original landing place at Port Adelaide in 1836 it would more accurately be described as Port Misery.
The mood in the stands amongst the long term members after wins says it all. Sure there have been some exceptions like the last gasp win against Hawthorn or the 112 point demolition of Sydney, who could not enjoy those. But for the most part wins over the last 5 or 6 years have been met with scepticism. Is that game plan really going to hold up in finals? Is this group really mentally strong enough to win when it counts? Is it possible to win 3 big finals in a row against quality coaches without a plan B? Let’s not even talk about the mood after crushingly predictable losses.
Unfortunately the results are in, and once again the Power members scepticism proved justified, and none of us are happy to be right. The feeling of deja vu is overwhelming. The thought of trudging joylessly through another whole season, almost certain in the fact that the hope (that you promised yourself you would not allow) is going to be mercilessly crushed at the end, is quite frankly depressing.
So what are the Port faithful to do?
We don’t create the game plan, we don’t select the coach, we can’t even vote in the board. We can be vocal on social media and talk back, but we have been doing that for years and largely mocked (from without and within) for doing so. We can quit the club we love, but no one wins from that. We don’t even get the last laugh for being proven right, because the joke is on us!
What is needed is for the leadership of the Port Adelaide Football Club to do their job. We exist to win premierships. Our Creed and our Statement of Intent spell out clearly how this can be achieved.
“We agree that success is well within our reach and have confidence that each member of both team and management will suffer personal sacrifices for the common end”
Likeable or not, the coach of 12 years has not done his job. 12 years, 0 grand finals, 0 premierships. The list is good enough. The 60% win rate and most of those agonising finals losses coming against teams that we beat comfortably in the minor round proves it. The coach has not done his job.
The footy committee, especially the head of football Chris Davies and the CEO Mathew Richardson have not done their job. The Statement of Intent spells out clearly what they should do with the head coach. He should be “weeded out”. The fact they are looking at heading into a record 13th year without even a grand final, at Port Adelaide of all clubs, is simply not acceptable. The football committee has not done their job.
The board, and especially the Chairman David Koch who claims to hand pick the board (bar obviously the 2 member elected positions), have not done their job. Ultimately the footy committee sits under their control. They select the committee, they give the committee its directives, it is their job to keep them accountable to that and it is their job to remove them if they are not achieving the desired strategic plan (3 premierships in 5 years anyone?). Why Koch felt the need to “take the pressure off” of a coach, that has only performed when under pressure, heading into finals for the second year in a row (with the same predictable result) is anyone guess. The board and the chairman are not doing their job.
The AFL is not doing their job. Ultimately the AFL controls the board. When it comes to the PAFC they are not doing their job, but herein lies the problem. The AFL’s ultimate job is the success of the league, not the PAFC. They are horribly conflicted. They cannot and should not be expected to put the success of the PAFC above the success of the league, and they do not. They should however be expected to recognise this conflict of interest and rectify it. Port are no longer a financial basket case. They have strong revenue and assets and very manageable debt level. The AFL should recognise their conflict of interest and return the club to it’s members. The AFL is not doing it’s job.
The fish rots from the head and right now the AFL is that head.
Now Koch will say that he chooses the board and the AFL doesn’t interfere. Then do your job!
Koch will also say he defers football decisions to the football committee. You David (and your hand picked board) are responsible for the football committee. Do your job!
The footy committee (including the CEO and head of football) will say that Ken’s minor round record is above average. We exist to win premierships. Do your job!
Now it may well be that in a week’s time we reflect on this article and realise that these people did in fact do their job. After 12 years you can excuse my scepticism.
And even if they do, it will not change the fact that the fish rots from the head at Port Adelaide and that head is well and truly rotten. More change is required than just the head coach, but it would be a bloody good place to start.
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