Farewell Football Park

1984 Gf Norwood win from 5th spot over port and Evans and Blame fighting before the first bounce.

With the premiership success Port Adelaide had in the SANFL, coupled with the AFL entry and the years of 2000-2004 it's fair to say I have some pretty fond (and not so fond) memories of Footy Park.

My first GF in '84 obviously sticks in my mind. 9 years old, full Magpie kit. Lace up guernsey, button up shorts with zip fly and boots and socks. A great day to be a kid at the footy, rubbish day to be a Port supporter.

88-89-90 - Was probably the most memorable era for me, not only the team that was embarking on the next decade of dominance but friends and family around me. Not being old enough to drink, but old enough to watch and know what others were doing makes me smile from ear to ear when I think of the late nights/early mornings at Alberton Oval after those years.  

92-94-95-96 - This was probably with most dominant of Port units. Hodges, Smith, S.Williams, Phillips, Delaney. What a spine we had.

97 - Port go into the AFL and miss the finals by half a game while Norwood belt the living suitcase out of us in the SANFL GF.

2001-2002-2003-2004 - Port keep winning enough games to finish first or second at AFL level then throw away the double chance with losses to Sydney and West Coast meaning road trips for Preliminary Finals and early exits after winning back to back McLelland Trophy's.

But the 2004 Preliminary Final against St.Kilda will remain as one of the greatest games I witnessed at Footy Park, along with the 94 triumph over the Eagles with late Hodges heroics.

Oh, how I could go on and on.

My Footy Park highlights:

1983 as a spectator.

Running water during the 1996 State of Origin game (amazing experience and atmosphere) and having a team photo with the trainers included.

Training for various AFL clubs at FP. One game was Hawthorn, coached by Alan Joyce, which meant I would have run water to a back pocket player named Collins  

Foxtel Cup win this year to make us Champions of Australia (at least for a few weeks). First SA team to win it.



Lowlights:

Seeing Matthew Simpson convulsing in the rooms at half-time of the 91 GF. Lowest act I've seen on a footy field, even allowing for the desperate re-writing of history by some.

Losing GF's.

Other:

Having Steven Sims head hit mine when Dean Schumann gave him a black eye as they rolled onto the bench in 1991.

Was that the 1996 or 1997 state of origin R&B?

1996 was a lacklustre affair on and Sunday arvo against WA. It was my first ever game at Footy Park though so I have fond memories of walking into the outer for the very first time.

I was also at the 1997 state game where we narrowly lost to Victoria. From memory a few of the old stagers -  Platten, Bradley and perhaps even Garry McIntosh (?) were still getting around at that point (I could be wrong though!). Crazy atmosphere, also a fond memory of mine even though we lost.

You're right, GN, thanks. It was 1997. I have the photo on my office wall still and there are some fair players. I'll post them tomorrow.

Amazing atmosphere. I recall giving drinks in the goalsquare after the first goal and having to almost pinch myself to believe I was actually there.

One thing I still remember is that of the hundreds of players I've run water to, it was in this game, in the heat of a State of Origin game, I encountered the most polite player. The normal thing is for no conversation in these games, but this player said thank you every time.

Stephen Kernahan.

Another classic Football Park moment - the famous 1984 Grand Final between Port and Norwood.

The SANFL have released a commemorative coin for the last game at Football Park on Sunday.  $10, available at the AAMI Stadium information booths and bars

Gingernuts wrote:

redandblack wrote:I was there the day the bomb went off, killing a bloke starting his car.

You could see over the southern wall at the top then.

Say what???  

I've never heard that story. Please elaborate R&B.....

The explosion was heard as far away as Cheltenham races that day

A nice little article from indaily on Football Park memories

http://indaily.com.au/opinion/2013/10/03/goodbye-footy-park-i-barely-knew-you/

to whoever wrote that, that was brilliant

''chicken salt''    

Great article. Well done to the author.

One of Football Park's most infamous Grand Finals - the 1989 Grand Final

Another one of Football Park's most infamous Grand Finals - the 1991 Grand Final

The start of a modern-day rivalry, Centrals and the Eagles, in the 2000 Grand Final

Why are they saying its the last game at Football Park? SANFL is not going to be played at Adelaide Oval, where do they think we are holding the SANFL finals?

J

Ben W wrote:Why are they saying its the last game at Football Park? SANFL is not going to be played at Adelaide Oval, where do they think we are holding the SANFL finals?

Finals will be at suburban venues. Grand final at Adelaide Oval.

A nice article on 9 News on Football Park



Hopefully the ABC put their half time piece up on YouTube, and the SANFL put their half time piece on YouTube as well.