The story of Port Adelaide's three consecutive premierships from 1988 to 1990 cannot be separated from the drama, tragedy and triumph that defined one of Australian football's most remarkable eras.  

On Monday night, those teams joined immortal company in the Port Adelaide Football Club Hall of Fame - following the national record six-in-a-row juggernaut from 1954-59, the 1962-65 three-time premiers, the visionary 1990-96 Board, the 2004 AFL premiership team and the drought-breaking 1977 premiership team. 

The 1988-90 teams stand tall amongst this celebrated company for what they endured and what they overcame. 

It began with club legend John Cahill's return to Alberton in 1988 after stints at Collingwood and West Adelaide. Port Adelaide hadn't tasted premiership success since 1981, suffering straight-sets finals exits in 1986 and 1987. The hunger was palpable. 

"John came back, and John has that massive ability to make people feel like they could do anything," recalls Brian Cunningham, who was working in the media throughout this time. "With the injection of some older players and newer players, Port Adelaide had a premiership team." 

But 1988 would test the club's resolve like rarely before. First came defeat in the pre-season Grand Final to Woodville, coached by Port Adelaide hero Russell Ebert - who had been let go by the Magpies only months earlier.  

Then tragedy struck in April when Anthony Williams, son of club legend Fos Williams and matriarch Von, twin brother of Mark and brother of Stephen and Jenny, was killed in a building accident. 

"Anthony meant so much to us," says Cunningham. "It was a really difficult time for everyone, and the way the club responded was amazing, because it really was felt by everyone in the Port Adelaide community." 

The challenges continued in August when captain Russell Johnston was controversially suspended for five weeks, ruling him out of the finals. Yet Port Adelaide found a way, destroying Norwood in the second semi-final before facing an experienced Glenelg outfit at a packed Football Park. 

Trailing by three goals at quarter-time and without a major on the board, Port Adelaide steadied and dominated after the break, winning by 29 points. Bruce Abernethy won the Jack Oatey Medal, but it was David Hynes who provided the heroics, tearing apart legendary ruck Peter Carey to cover Johnston's absence. 

"David Hynes jumped over the top of him," Cunningham remembers. "It was a magnificent game and a big part of winning that premiership." 

The 1989 campaign saw Port Adelaide combine experience and youth in a devastating way, winning 17 consecutive games during a dominant season.  

The Grand Final against North Adelaide was expected to be a classic after the teams split their four meetings 2-2 during the season.  

Instead, it became one of the most one-sided Grand Finals in SANFL history with Port Adelaide restricting the Roosters to a single goal while hammering home 15 in a 94-point demolition. 

Johnston, denied his moment twelve months earlier, was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal as best on ground. 

Then came 1990 - arguably Port Adelaide's finest hour. 

As the AFL came knocking and Port Adelaide signed a Heads of Agreement to join the national competition in 1991, the SANFL world erupted. 

Glenelg and Norwood forced court injunctions. An entire state turned against the club. Yet somehow, the players and coaches compartmentalised the chaos and galvanised in pursuit of another premiership. 

The Grand Final opponent? Bitter rival Glenelg - who had taken Port Adelaide to court only months prior. 

In a classic encounter, Port Adelaide proved too strong, winning by 15 points. Scott Hodges sixth goal in the Grand Final was his 153rd for the season, a remarkable SANFL record that will stand the test of time.  

Defender George Fiacchi won the Jack Oatey Medal and famously declared from the dais: "There will be a Port Adelaide Football Club forever." 

"To win three premierships in a row and keep that performance going is just a magnificent effort," says Cunningham. "It's so hard to win one, let alone two, let alone three - but that's Port Adelaide." 

This three-peat set the foundation for more SANFL glory and, ultimately, the second South Australian AFL licence in 1997. The teams of 1988-90 earned their place in Port Adelaide folklore through resilience, skill and an unwavering belief that created a legacy that stands today. 

1988  

Port Adelaide 12.12 (84) defeated Glenelg 8.7 (55)  

Football Park, Oct 1st.  Crowd: 50,313  

Goals: Hodges 4, Brown, Ginever 2, Foster, Harrison, R. Smith, S. Williams 1  

Jack Oatey Medal: Bruce Abernethy  

Port Adelaide team  
FB: G Fiacchi, R Delaney, G Boyd  
HB: B Abernethy, G Phillips, M Leslie (a-c)  
C: D Hutton, S Williams, P Harrison  
HF: R Smith, D Smith, R Foster  
FF: W Mahney, S Hodges, D Brown  
Ruck: D Hynes, A Obst, T Ginever  
Int: G Phelps, R Kerr  

1989  

Port Adelaide 15.18 (108) defeated North Adelaide 1.8 (14)  

Football Park, Oct 7th.  Crowd: 50,487  

Goals: Hodges, D Smith 4, R Boyd, A Obst 2, Hutton, R. Smith, Tregenza 1  

Jack Oatey Medal: Russell Johnston  

Port Adelaide team  
B: G Fiacchi, R Delaney, G Boyd  
HB: B Abernethy, G Phillips, P Northeast  
C: D Hutton, S Williams, S Tregenza  
HF: R Smith, D Smith, W Mahney  
F: D Hynes, Hodges, D Brown  
Ruck: R Johnston (c), A Obst, T Ginever  
Int: R Boyd, P Harrison   

1990  

Port Adelaide 16.12 (108) defeated Glenelg 13.15 (93)  

Football Park, Oct 7th.  Crowd: 50,589  

Goals: Hodges 6, Settre 3, Smith, Wanganeen 2, Mahney, S Williams, M Williams 1  

Jack Oatey Medal: George Fiacchi  

Port Adelaide team  
B: G Fiacchi, B Harris, P Rizonico  
HB: B Abernethy, G Phillips, P Northeast  
C: D Hutton, S Williams, S Tregenza  
HF: R Foster, D Smith, W Mahney  
F: D Hynes, Hodges, G Wanganeen  
Ruck: R Johnston (c), M Williams, T Ginever  
Int: A Settre, G Phelps