PORT ADELAIDE’S former AFL coaches joined Ken Hinkley and the players in the team meeting ahead of the club’s 150^th Anniversary Gala tonight.

Here are John Cahill, Matthew Primus and Mark Williams reflecting on that moment:

Cahill on returning back to Alberton and talking to the playing group:

“You have no idea how good it was.

“Just to see their faces. I feel like we are going to have a good year, I really do.

“They are enthusiastic. They are keen. They look you in the eye. It’s everything you want from a sportsperson.

Cahill discussing the change at Alberton since his time at the club:

“We had the poverty pack. We had about $200 worth of gym gear.

“I looked in there - it’s fantastic. But they deserve it.

“The science of today, everything progresses. All we need now is on-field success.

“You just get the feeling from the players. The strength in their eyes and the way they look.

“I think this is the year.

Cahill on his message to the playing group:

“The main thing I said was enjoy what you do.

“Because if you really enjoy what you do, you’ll be good at it.

“Then, not to underestimate how good you can be. People don’t realise when they challenge themselves, what they can achieve.

“I just looked at them and I thought, how good are they. They’ll be strong. They’re confident.

“They will have to win a couple of early games, and I think we’re on the way.

Cahill on looking forward to tonight’s 150^th Anniversary Gala:

“It’s a lot of people - 1,600 people - it shows you what the club’s about.

“It’s a credit to the board way back in 1990.

“The rest of the state hated us, and probably fairly so. But against all of that, Port Adelaide just concentrated on football, won games.

“Off the field, the board just looked after the club.

Primus reflecting on the chat to the players:

“It was all about what the club means to us.

“Jack, Choco and myself - what it means to us. We love the club - all about the history.

“We spoke to the guys about creating their own history too, and what they’ve got ahead of them this year and for their whole careers.

“Everyone’s got a different story to tell.

“Jack (Cahill) bought the club together for the first years then Choco took it to the next level.

“It was good to get in there and see some new faces, some familiar faces, and just talk to them about what the club means to us.

Primus on the players’ reaction to the meeting:

“I think we got a pretty good response, I thought.

“To hear the stories from when Jack (Cahill) first started, and obviously he’s got a great history with the Magpies. Then to see the AFL connection with Choco and myself.

“They would’ve got a bit out of it, but I think it’s important they focus on what they are going to do this year and the year after that, and bring their own history back to this club.

Primus on whether Alberton had changed:

“There are a few new offices and a few new rooms.

“In the end there are the same walkways, the same faces you see, and the locker room is still a great place to be.

“The theatre - you see the history of past winners of certain wards and those sorts of things.

“Some little things have changed but the majority of things are pretty similar to the way I remember it.

Primus on what to expect from tonight’s 150th Anniversary Gala:

“We will probably get a sense of occasion about how successful this club is and the history of it.

“It will be great to catch up with so many people, because I don’t live in Adelaide any more.

“I’m going to spend most of my night catching up with people and sharing some stories and renewing some really good friendships.

Williams on returning to Alberton:

“10 years - it’s been a long time.

“I just reflected on being here for a long time. It was great to have Jack Cahill there - he was my idol back in the early 60s - I had his number on my back.

“The fact we’ve been here for a fair time. We’re driven by the success of the club and hopefully the present-day players are as well.

Williams reflecting on this morning’s team meeting:

“There are quite a few of the premiership players as coaches now, so we talked a little bit about them and how they started

“All these players get a little confused that everyone starts up where they finish, but they start by doubting themselves as well.

“Their journeys aren’t linear. They are up and down a bit. To be able to persist and be satisfied that they gave everything and left nothing on the table

Williams on whether Alberton had changed since he was at the club:

“The truth is nothing much has changed.

“The feel of the place is great. Alfie is still around doing the boots. There are still some familiar faced. Di is up working in the football department, and she’s worked here probably the longest. It’s great to see and reconnect with those people.

“The ground is looking fantastic. Each new player has to take on the responsibility that Port Adelaide are here and out to win premierships.

Williams on what he is looking forward to tonight:

“Listening to the old stories.

“Some of my Dad’s contemporaries will be there talking, and I know them. I was kind of a part of that era, as well as my own and Stephen’s.

“With the Power coming into it, there will be a lot of players coming back who I haven’t seen for a long time.

“It’s a celebration of the members and the sponsors who have been around the place.

“You only have one 150^th, so it will be great.