The Port Adelaide Football Club can confirm it has submitted an application to the AFL to wear a black-and-white prison bar guernsey for Sunday’s First Elimination Final against Richmond at the Adelaide Oval.

The application was submitted after the AFL earlier stated that the club would have to wear its white clash strip in the home final as Richmond did not have a clash strip that was distinctive enough when compared to the Power’s black home uniform.

Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said the club was very grateful to the AFL for their willingness to seek a satisfactory resolution for the club and its members.

“Both our community and the broader football public have been very supportive of our club’s strong stance on this matter today and I thank them for that,” Mr Thomas said.

“But just as significantly the AFL have listened to this feedback and have been willing to support us with the alternative option of wearing our traditional prison bar guernsey.

“We thank the AFL for listening to our club and our community on this very important matter.

“And we are also very grateful to the Collingwood Football Club for taking a pragmatic view in the best interests of Sunday’s final and agreeing for us to wear black and white stripes.”

Mr Thomas stressed however that AFL and Collingwood approval was only the first step in Port Adelaide wearing its heritage guernsey this weekend.

“The real concern we have is that we may not be able to get the guernseys produced in time,” Mr Thomas said.

“But rest assured Port Adelaide fans, we will be working closely with our supplier ISC to do our absolute level best to get the guernseys produced in time.

“We will be in a position to make an announcement one way or another in the next 24 hours.”