Port legend Russell Ebert urges Power not to destroy Magpies’ history
via ABC Updated August 28, 2013, 1:47 pm
Port Adelaide great Russell Ebert has implored the club not to abandon its SANFL roots in its push for a stand-alone AFL reserves side.
After initially declaring it would maintain the status quo next season, the club has held fresh negotiations with the SA Football Commission which could see the Magpies become the Power’s reserves.
The Power has previously said it was not prepared to relinquish the Magpies’ recruiting zones and junior programs but the proposal is now being considered by the SANFL Directors.
The Power will wear the Magpies’ black and white ‘prison bar’ guernsey this weekend as it prepares for the final AFL game at Football Park.
The gesture is to mark the 13 SANFL Premierships the club has won at the ground.
Ebert says the Magpies should maintain their distinct identity as an SANFL team next season.
“Who’s got the right to destroy all those years of history? And not only that but the connection that people have got with Port Adelaide and when you go to the country, it’s about Port and Norwood and the clashes, the Glenelg clashes and the Sturt dynasties of the fifties and the sixties,” he said.
"No-one has given me a good explanation why it’s going to be better for football.
“It might be better for the Adelaide footy club and the Port Adelaide footy club as the Power but is it best for football?”
Ebert, who was born in Berri in the Riverland, says the Magpies have too much to lose by becoming subordinate to the Power’s whims.
"Our country zones, our country academies, the connection the country folk have with Port Adelaide… why destroy that? Why even contemplate destroying that?
“Let’s do what’s best for football, not what’s best for a couple of entities that have been around for a few years.”
The four-time Magarey Medallist says has fond memories of Football Park, especially the drought-breaking 1977 Premiership, and questioned the need to return to Adelaide Oval next year.
“Would you sell your home and go and rent somewhere on someone else’s property? I can’t understand it but anyway the decision’s been made and we’ll go with it now,” he said.
“We’ve got a magnificent facility - hopefully. We’ll be sharing so let’s hope that partnership is better than it was previously.”
The Crows have already accepted a league offer to enter a reserves side in the competition next year.
