Disbelief, relief and a public apology: Inside the rooms after Port’s ‘best win in history’

“We are the Power from Port, it’s more than a sport.”

A line that is entrenched in the first verse of Port Adelaide’s club song.

And in the change rooms after their three-point win over Hawthorn in Friday night’s semi-final, absolutely everything about the victory was more than a sport.

Watch the best coverage of the 2024 AFL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Players both injured and not selected on Friday night sprinted down from the stands after the siren, racing to beat their on-field teammates in the rooms – who had just secured the club’s third preliminary finals berth in five years.

Gun Sam Powell-Pepper – who’s 2024 season ended due to an ACL injury – was leading the charge both with speed and vocals.

“Yewwww!” Powell-Pepper yelled.

“Yewww, yewww, yewwwwwww!”

“Come on!!” another teammate exclaimed in jubilation.

Then, came the participating cavalry, strutting into the now-packed room via a different entrance to everyone else.

And rightly, they were loud and proud.

First came captain Connor Rozee – who led from the front all night with a 20-disposal, nine-tackle and one goal performance he and teammates should be so very proud of.

Following him into the rooms was young on-baller Jackson Mead, then Aliir Aliir, then Lachie Jones and Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines.

Aliir – a 2021 All-Australian defender – picked up his young child to sing the song with him, while other teammates give high-fives to family and friends behind a black rope.

Relief was the overwhelming sense of emotion from family and friends eager to see their loved ones, almost in disbelief at the emotional finish to a game that arguably deserved two winners.

But that disbelief vanished as quickly as it came at the singing of the song, to where Ken Hinkley’s 23 men proudly – but clearly tiredly – bellowed the club anthem.

“It’s more than a SPORT.”

The emotion evidently hit home for all players after they were released from a brief team meeting post-song, with hundreds of hugs and kisses exchanged both in front of and behind the inconveniently-placed black rope.

Speaking to foxfooty.com.au amid the organised chaos was versatile defender Miles Bergman, who for two straight finals now has been rock solid in defence for the Power.

“The support means so much; our families and friends, they’re massive for us,” Bergman revealed both honestly and calmly.

“The same goes with all the supporters that were out there tonight; they stick by us through thick and thin, and we thank them so much for that… obviously it’s a great feeling.”

Each individual had their own story for the next hour; with no one person the same.

Despite being a late out through illness, veteran Charlie Dixon was making sure anyone who wanted a photo got one, bringing an even bigger smile to young fans eager for a snap.

To his right was his skipper Rozee, who was caught on the phone for a period of time before embracing a special moment with his partner and newborn child.

Amid journalists and camera crew running around was Channel 7’s Brian Taylor, who spoke to the most relieved person in all of Australia on Friday night – Ken Hinkley.

Fresh off a war of words with Hawthorn’s skipper James Sicily and young gun Jack Ginnivan post-game, the 57-year-old had some regrets over his post-game interaction – but in the grand scheme of things, certainly didn’t ruin the moment for the Port coach of 12 seasons.

“I’ll be honest; Jack said what he said during the week, and I just told him after the game he wouldn’t be going anywhere (next week),” Hinkley revealed.

“I probably shouldn’t have done it, I should apologise to the boys… the reality was, you throw something our way (and) we’re going to throw something back occasionally.”

And while Ken was reflecting on the well-documented discussion with Hawks players, young gun Jason Horne-Francis – who left the field of play with just three minutes on the clock with a severe cramp – was off chatting with former South Adelaide teammate and AFL modern era great Bryce Gibbs – an unexpected, but logical crossover.

And then there’s club off-field figures David Koch (Chairman) and Matthew Richardson (CEO) – who were both ecstatic, with an arm around each other’s shoulders; soaking in what was truly one of the club’s greatest ever victories.

Next looms a challenge genuinely like no other next Friday night at the SCG, against the ladder-leading Swans – who they infamously smoked by 112 points only weeks ago.

As displayed by the loved ones of players and staff post-game, the week just gone has been tougher than most, for most.

But in “true Port Adelaide tradition”, the Power’s never-say-die attitude once again got them over the line – backs to the wall and all.

And it now leaves them two wins away from what only one week ago was the unthinkable – an elusive premiership two decades on from their last.