Dear members and supporters,

Earlier this week, I reminded Ken of an infamous moment he and I shared way back in 1988.

As two young, less than influential, members of the mighty Fitzroy side, we were invited to attend a special team meeting called by our legendary coach David Parkin.

Having cleaned up our first six highly fancied opponents, Parko felt that the time was right to inform the playing group that he felt that this team was capable of achieving premiership success.

He would recall many years later, that it was the first time in his illustrious career that he had ever been so bold in sharing his predictions with a playing group. If memory serves me correctly, Fitzroy abruptly lost the next nine games and didn’t even contest the finals series that year! Parko to this day considers it the worst coaching blunder of his entire career.

Needless to say, Ken hasn’t forgotten the moment either!

It does amuse me a little to hear all of the chatter around our likely prospects this year. I guarantee you, the playing and coaching group are the absolute best people to stay grounded and in the moment. And whilst I seem to remember Ken often falling asleep in team meetings in the old Fitzroy days, I’m sure he learnt enough back then to ensure that he has the boys singularly focussed on the difficult task of GWS in Canberra this weekend!

Hasn’t the Adelaide Oval experience been just superb?

Hats off to our events team who have nailed the pre-game entertainment with the March from the Mall, team entry (Not Giving In by Rudimental - listen here) and ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ moments being the major highlights for me. I hope you are enjoying it as well.

The boys have been simply outstanding in all three home games, but what about that crowd!!

The players are telling us that they have never felt such powerful energy from our home crowd, and it is definitely having a serious impact on our performance. The combination of a team playing exciting, full-blooded footy with a passionate, loud, full stadium behind them is fast becoming the talk of the nation. We have been out there saying that we have the most engaged supporters in the competition, and every Port Adelaide weekend at Adelaide Oval has simply served to hammer home that claim. Long may it continue!

Financially, we do expect the Oval to help us generate a significant revenue uplift and our early results are reassuring. Yet whilst we are improving rapidly, we are coming from a long way back and a lot of work remains to get us back in the black. As we have said many times before, it takes time to turn a business around. We will remain very frugal, but must continue to invest in our growth. So the hard work must continue, and rest assured, it will!

There are a few other things to report on.

• Sad news regarding Sam Colquhoun’s knee injury. Sam has been in great form with the Magpies and we wish him a speedy and successful recovery.

• The Magpies form, after an early loss to Norwood, has been exceptional. Garry, Summo and the team are to be congratulated on a successful campaign thus far.

• Our first SANFL Showdown is upon us. A nice drive to Clare, followed by a ripping game of SANFL footy, couldn’t think of anything better for a Sunday afternoon.

• Fantastic to see the SANFL competition in such great shape as a result of the new format. A new Channel 7 deal, record TV audiences, 6,500 people out to watch our first game against Norwood, 4300 to see us play the Eagles at Woodville Oval, 9300 to watch the Crows play Glenelg, over 10,000 at the ANZAC Day clash between Norwood and North, South Adelaide on top of the table! The local competition hasn’t been as interesting to the football public for a decade! We all have a major responsibility to keep promoting the game, and we certainly will be doing our bit.

• Our progressive Aboriginal AFL Academy has commenced, with the boys studying and training together at Alberton for the first time this week. We’ll be taking the boys with us to Alice Springs at the end of May, to get a taste of AFL football from the red centre.

• On May 14th, the PAFC Board will fly out to Hong Kong to conduct a business luncheon and strategy session at the prestigious Hong Kong Football Club. This represents another step in our stated goal of creating new business connections in the Asia region. With Kochie on the microphone, and our legend Gavin Wanganeen in the room, it should be a fantastic event. If you know anyone in Hong Kong who may want to join us at the lunch, just contact the Club for details.

• And our membership number just keeps growing! Just ticked over 52,000, which is simply incredible. If you are still considering whether to join as a member or not, check this out. Our 3-game membership gives you access to any three remaining home games for just $100! With Fremantle, Hawthorn, Essendon, Carlton, Sydney, St Kilda and the Bulldogs still to come at home…why wouldn’t you want to be part of the action!?

Keep up the great work guys, looking forward to seeing you at the Freo blockbuster.

Cheers,
KT