Collingwood steps up ugly feud with cheeky banner message

Collingwood have taken another shot at AFL rivals Port Adelaide as the infamous 'prison bars' jumper controversy shows no signs of dying down.

Magpies supporters unveiled a cheeky banner taking aim at their AFL rivals before Sunday's match at the MCG but it was the Power who had the last laugh after a dramatic one-point win.

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Port held off a late charge from Collingwood to seal an 8.11 (59) to 8.10 (58) win - their seventh of the season.

The victory would have been extra sweet for the Power against a Collingwood club who they've been engaged in a bitter war of words with over the opening rounds of the season.

Port chairman David Koch and former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire have frequently traded barbs over the Power's eagerness to wear their heritage prison bar guernseys for the two Showdown clashes every season against cross-town rivals, the Adelaide Crows.

Those requests have repeatedly been knocked back by the AFL, with Collingwood doggedly determined to remain the only team who plays in the iconic strip.

Sunday's clash presented Magpies fans with another opportunity to speak out about the issue, with supporters taking a fresh swipe at Port Adelaide in a savage banner swipe.

The Magpies banner read: “Is black & white ours? Without a doubt, yes. Stick to wearing teal and wrecking INXS.”

The message was a reference to Port adopting legendary Aussie rock band INXS's 'Never Tear us Apart' as the unofficial anthem played before the opening bounce at their home games.

Collingwood's banner jibe came after Port Adelaide's post-match stunt in round eight, after their Showdown win against Adelaide.

After being refused permission by the AFL to wear their heritage 'prison bars' jumpers, Port's players changed into the strip and posed for photos in them after the match.

The stunt was jumped upon by AFL fans on social media, with many labelling it "disgraceful" and "embarrassing" and a slap in the face of the AFL.

However, Power coach Ken Hinkley denied at the time that the move was designed to send a signal to the AFL.

"No, it's a show of respect for our heritage, for our past and for our great people that played in it, for our people who turn up .. and represent this footy club," Hinkley said.

"We started as Port Adelaide and we still are.

"And part of that journey is this amazing jumper which the boys love, the club loves and everyone that supports this footy club loves.

"We had to wait until after the game but we will recognise it as often as we have to."

Power have last laugh at MCG

Speaking after the win against Collingwood, Hinkley said he was simply relieved to win the hard way, despite the Power playing well below their best against the 2-8 Magpies.

"We're fifth on the ladder and we get a bit of a break on some of the other teams in the comp," Hinkley said.

"At the end of the season, we're not going to sit back and go 'gee, you played bad against Collingwood at the MCG'.

"That's somewhat disrespectful to the opposition because they've had enough stuff thrown at them.

"There's no messing around, we didn't play our best footy.

"We're going to have to get better, and if we don't get better, we won't contend when it matters."

Hinkley admitted his team was playing too defensive and something needed to change heading into the final term.

It worked as Port kicked four goals - as many as they kicked in the previous three quarters.

"Let's just go after this a little bit and take some risks in the game, that we had to take," Hinkley said.

with AAP

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