PORT ADELAIDE will host a pre-season match against the Western Bulldogs in Whyalla as part of the AFL’s Marsh Community Series.
It’ll be the first time in more than 20 years that an AFL fixture will be held in the Upper Spencer Gulf city.
The game will be played at a redeveloped Bennett Oval.
Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas praised the club’s Major Sponsor GFG and its Executive Chairman, Sanjeev Gupta for having the vision to push for an AFL game in Whyalla.
“The Port Adelaide Football Club has a long-standing relationship with the Eyre Peninsula; it’s part of our regional heartland,” said CEO Keith Thomas.
“The area is part of our traditional recruiting zone and has given us many talented players including the likes of Greg Phillips, the Burgoyne brothers and our current ruckman Scott Lycett.
“Our membership base is also strong in Whyalla and the surrounding area, and we’ll use the visit to spend some additional time in those communities.
“It’s great to be able to give back to people in the region who have supported us for so long and it’ll be an added bonus to have the local facilities upgraded to leave a legacy of our visit.
“In partnership with GFG, our club has committed to increasing our engagement across the Eyre Peninsula and, following our 2019 community camp in Whyalla back in February, it’s going to be brilliant to return for a full-scale competitive game as part of our preparations for season 2020.”
The game against the Bulldogs will take place at Bennett Oval from 3:40pm on Saturday 7 March.
The Power will open its Marsh Community Series campaign against Brisbane at the Moreton Bay Sports Complex, north of Brisbane, on February 23.
“The pre-season fixture will give us the ideal preparation for the 2020 season because we get to come up against two quality sides,” Mr Thomas said.
“Brisbane was one of the big improvers in 2019 so to face them on the road and then take a game to our regional heartland will be the perfect way to kick off our 150th anniversary year.”
The games will both be live on Fox Footy and the AFL Live app.
Ticketing details will be released soon.
