Port Adelaide have launched a petition as part of the club's official submission to the AFL to wear their black-and-white prison bar guernsey in all Showdowns matches in the future.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said in a statement there has been widespread support for the bid to wear the guernsey more often.
"It is overwhelmingly clear that not only our Members and supporters want to see this guernsey featured in Showdowns on the national stage, but it is also evident that we have widespread support from supporters of other clubs right across the country," Koch said in a statement to portadelaidefc.com.au.
"I am proud to announce that all living captains of Port Adelaide have already pledged their support as part of this petition.
"And we thank Australian Football Hall of Famers such as Kevin Sheedy, David Parkin, Malcolm Blight, Graham Corner, Dennis Cometti and Mike Sheahan for their public support of our iconic guernsey in recent times."
Koch says the request has very little to do with the Magpies but more to do with celebrating the club's long history.
"We are not asking to be the Magpies in the AFL," Koch said.
"All we are asking is that we are able to wear our historic black-and-white prison bar guernsey in all Showdowns moving forward.
"The Showdowns are a true celebration of the heritage of South Australian football. The Adelaide Crows represent the nine clubs that formed the SANFL competition until 1990, while Port Adelaide stands tall as the only suburban club from outside of Victoria to be elevated onto the national stage.
"The black-and-white prison bar guernsey, and the spirit that lives within that guernsey, not only represents toil and unparalleled success for Port Adelaide, but also provided the lightning rod for the formation of the Crows in 1990 and in doing so lit the fuse on of the fiercest rivalries in Australian sport."
The jumper that is causing so much controversy is more than a jumper to Koch and the Port Adelaide Football Club.
"A football guernsey is more than a piece of cloth. It's about identity, meaning and purpose.
"This is why the traditional black-and-white prison bar guernsey is so important for our people.
"This guernsey represents who we are, and where generations of people and families who support Port Adelaide come from.
"And when you're celebrating 150 years of tradition like we are, that's important.
"At a time when clubs and competitions round the world are being reminded that they are nothing without their fans, why should Port Adelaide members, supporters and players be deprived of the opportunity to connect with something so important to them?
"We believe that every sport fan around the world will relate to what this is fundamentally about.
"It is about the power of fans and the passion and connection they have for their clubs.
"We don't believe what we are asking for is unreasonable and we look forward to submitting our official proposal to the AFL soon."
If you want to join the club's push to retain the prison bar guernsey, sign the petition here.
