Adelaide Hawk wrote:wharf side crew wrote:no the port magpies have won 36 flags and the power have won 1 flag
I don't want to get into an argument over this because it pretty much depends on who you ask. However, at the time (1996) it was announced that the Port Adelaide football club, previously having won 34 flags in the SANFL with a home base at Alberton Oval, were now playing in the AFL. The Administration went with to set up and run the AFL club. It was also known that the AFL wanted a club with a strong tradition to join the AFL.
A club named Port Adelaide Magpies were to play in the SANFL in their place, different Administration, new name, and in the beginning different training facilities.
Therefore, I have always considered that "Port Adelaide" have won 1 AFL flag and 34 SANFL flags, and therefore the Port Adelaide Magpies (1997-2008) have won 2 flags.
That is how is was in 1996, but so many different people have changed the story to suit themselves over the year I don't know who to believe any more. If you listen to some Port fans they'll tell you Port Adelaide in the AFL have won 1 AFL flag and 34 SANFL flags, whereas Port Adelade in the SANFL have won 36 flags. This means between them they've won .... 71 flags????

You're wrong, I too used to have that same viewpoint (as that viewpoint suited me as you mentioned, I used to upset my Port mate by telling my SANFL club hasd won more SANFL flags than his SANFL club and my VFL/AFL club had won more VFL/AFL premierships than his club, I won all round) but a bit of digging prooved I was wrong and I was happy to admit it.
The club that was in the SANFL changed their name from the PAFC to the PAMFC, players that played for the Magpies in 1996 did not have to sign new contracts for 1997 as it was the same club.
Players that played with the PAFC in 1996 and joined the Power in 1997 were required to sign new contracts as it was a completely new club.
After the PAFC changed their name to the PAMFC the new entity adopted the now vacant PAFC name.
As a business the PAFC had to register a change of name to PAMFC and the Power had to register a completely new entity.
Its quite simple.
The club in the SANFL changed their name but are the same entity that's been around for over 100 years and won many premierships, the club in the AFL was a brand newy, it had to sign every player to brand new contracts in the mid 90s being a brand new club.