Port Adelaide prison bars: Collingwood to ‘enable’ Power to wear heritage jersey
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Collingwood has allowed Port Adelaide to wear its famous ‘prison bar’ jersey during the round three Showdown against Adelaide.
The two clubs have been at loggerheads over the last few years about the jersey, with the Power’s heritage ‘prison bar’ guernsey looking similar to Collingwood’s traditional black and white stripes jumper.
Magpies president Jeff Browne said that while Collingwood ‘own’ the black and white stripes, the club would enable Port Adelaide to honour their history in the South Australian derby.
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“Since the formation of the Collingwood Football Club in 1892, we have worn black-and-white stripes,” Browne said in a statement.
“The Collingwood jumper is part of the fabric of our club and is one of the most iconic in Australian Football.
“When Port Adelaide entered the AFL in 1997, a binding agreement was signed between the Club and Collingwood, with Port giving up the black and white colours and the Magpie emblem as part of their entrance into the national competition.
“While we own the stripes in the AFL competition, we acknowledge the history and origins of the Port Adelaide Football Club and their contribution to South Australian football over a long period of time.
“As president of the club board and following ongoing discussions with Port Adelaide President David Koch, it is our view that we acknowledge the history of Port Adelaide prior to their entry into the AFL and support them to wear their ‘Prison Bar’ guernsey in their upcoming home Showdown against the Crows in round three.”
Port Adelaide last wore the ‘prison bar’ jersey during the round two Showdown against Adelaide in 2020, with several requests to wear it denied since.
The Power have been threatened with a loss of points if they chose to wear the guernsey without permission and have been seen wearing it post-match in celebration as a response.
In 2022, Browne conceded that Collingwood would be prepared to allow the Power to wear an alternate ‘prison bar’ jersey where the white stripes were changed to a teal colour.
Port Adelaide president David Koch said Browne and Magpies CEO Craig Kelly had been ‘outstanding’ during discussions about the club wearing the ‘prison bar’ strip.
“There is a genuine sense of goodwill from Collingwood and an understanding that heritage is important to all clubs, not least of all Port Adelaide. We thank them for their collegiate approach,” Koch said.
“We look forward to continuing our positive discussions with Collingwood in regards to wearing our black-and-white prison bar guernsey again next year and beyond.”