bomberclifford
Importer/Exporter
That's because it was a stupif ruling in 1997 and an even more ridiculous attitude in 2009. Any fan of any allegedly modernprofessional National competition anywhere in the world understands a) the need to connect with it's fanbase b) the need to stay with some tradition and c) occasionally there is a need to use alternate strips.
The puzzling thing is I have never heard once of a PAFC admin or fan (other than tongue in cheek) state that PAFC should wear it's PB's against Collingwood, there is an acceptance there. Altho' IMO it could be done if Collingwood tweaked their 'white' guernesy a little. only a fool would say that the PB's would somehow dilute Collingwood's brand.
PAFC are at a mini crossroad. Altho' we can wind up the 1870 thing for sake of rivalry the reality is PAFC need to be PAFC.
Would PAFC wearing PB's alienate some fans? Maybe
The real question is; would PAFC wearing PB's bring back more fans than it alienates and therefore end up a positive? IMO yes.
Port have created a new tradition with it's entry guernsey and it was worn on premiership day of course, but you play 12 games @ AAMI every year. 6 in new, 6 in PB's? PAFC could pick the 2 Showdowns and 4 big Vic Clubs to wear the PB's against in any year. Importantly they could be sold, how much money could be made from selling them?
I petitioned my Club to strike up a "Port to wear PB's in Showdowns" campaign. The Club wanted ideas as to why these games have slipped and I refuse to believe it's because the fans can't sit together. I'd love to see AFC play the PB's and I presume vice versa. Twice a year the gurnseys can be reprinted witha Showdown logo and sold, we all have to see Anzac and Dreamtime logos, give the SA clubs the same opportunity.
Small steps, allow PAFC to wear it twice a year in Showdowns and then work from there. Email the club and ask them to raise it, if enough fans from both sides make both Clubs think about it and petition it, how could the AFL say no?
Good post.
I think the next logical step would be a campaign to wear it in Showdowns but I'd suggest that would be the extent of it, other than the occasional heritage fixture.
As for our current guernsey: I like it and I think we need to be careful not to "throw the baby out wit the bathwater". The club has had amazing success in their AFL colours and this needs to be maintained.
Having said that, regardless of us being able to wear the guernsey in the AFL, I cannot understand why we are unable to sell them as merchandise. (well, apart from the agreement JJ brokered so we could wear it in heritage round against the Bulldogs in '06)