Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has hit out at Eddie McGuire's latest push to have the Power's 'prison bars' guernsey discarded.
Ex-Collingwood president McGuire is a fierce opposer of Port Adelaide's black and white, striped jumper because he believes it breaches trademark laws in its resemblance to the Magpies' guernsey.
McGuire made his latest comments on the 'prison bars' fiasco on last night's edition of Nine's Footy Classified, saying the fact that Port Adelaide are a "net-receiver" makes it particularly wrong that they want to use it.
Port Adelaide's request is the AFL allows them to "celebrate our heritage" by wearing the guernsey in two Showdowns per season – and Koch struck out at McGuire's latest spray in a club statement released this afternoon.
"This issue is not going to go away because Eddie McGuire wants it to go away," Koch said in the statement.
"As we've said all along, it is a decision for the AFL and we'll continue to go through the official channels to have that conversation.
"The AFL's purpose is to 'progress the game so everyone can share in its heritage' – everyone.
"Heritage makes our game stronger, connecting our fans and stakeholders uniquely to their clubs – all clubs.
"Anything we can do to strengthen this bond can only build stronger clubs and a healthier game.
"We are simply asking to celebrate our heritage by wearing this guernsey in two Showdowns a year at Adelaide Oval."
Collingwood permitted Port Adelaide to wear the jumper in last season's Round Two Showdown victory over the Adelaide Crows, but only because the club was celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Veteran footy journalist Caroline Wilson reported on Footy Classified last night that the AFL was yet to reach a decision on Port Adelaide's request and that the league had deferred to Collingwood.
"I know what the answer will be; the answer is no," McGuire said on Nine's Footy Classified last night.
"They had it last year! So take me through this: they thought about it last year and knew they were going to play in front of an empty stadium and wore it anyway.
"This year they'll have it for the 151st anniversary. What about next year? What is it? Mark Williams' birthday or something?
"The Collingwood Football Club jumper is one of the most sought-after, expensive jumpers. We've just done a massive deal with Nike, with CGU and Emirates on there.
"Collingwood receives $6 million a year less than Port Adelaide, so Collingwood is a net-giver every year and has been to the competition right the way through.
"If they want to celebrate something big, when they start becoming a net-giver instead of a net-receiver, then we'll have a bit of a look at it. That jumper of Collingwood's keeps them going because we make a lot of money off the back of that.
"It is a trademark issue. The AFL, when they took over all our trademarks – they must protect the trademark.
"Everyone is sick of it. They've got great jumpers. They've got a thousand jumpers they've worn over the years. It's not a small thing. If it's such a small thing, why are they driving us mad every year?
"They wore it last year, we've allowed them to wear it whenever they've asked to do it.
"They've got a thousand jumpers they can wear, they've got a really good jumper this year, they might want a premiership jumper.
"Worry about that, worry about making money and stop annoying us every year. Simple as that. Back off, no. You've got a great jumper, just get on with it. It's just annoying now."
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