Josh Jenkins has urged Port Adelaide to wear its prison bar jumper in Round 23, despite reports suggesting a request has been knocked back.
The Herald Sun reported on Friday that Port had hoped “soft diplomacy” would fix the longstanding issue, however Collingwood is not prepared to allow another club to wear the black and white stripes.
Magpies president Jeff Browne told the Herald Sun that there had been no change in view of the club.
The AFL’s view is that Port Adelaide and Collingwood will need to negotiate an agreement if the Power is to wear the jumper.
However, former AFL forward Josh Jenkins is adamant the league won’t take genuine action against Port if they do wear the jumper in the Round 23 Showdown as hoped.
“Just wear it,” he said on SEN’s The Run Home.
“Don’t pay the fine, who cares? What are they going to do, dock them four points? It’s outrageous.
“Just wear it and worry about the ‘consequences’ later. I reckon the AFL would fine them, and I’m not sure the invoice would even arrive.”
“I just don’t understand why it needs to be such a big deal, I just don’t understand. It’s one game a year.”
The Run Home co-host Andy Maher agreed, suggesting Collingwood’s hardline stance makes the club look “small”.
“I hope they just keep going Port Adelaide… never ever stop trying to get the AFL to relent to let them wear their traditional prison bar jersey,” he added.
“There’s only one reason it gets knocked back, we understand that.
“(Port Adelaide) are playing Adelaide in Round 23, it’s their home game, and because of an issue one club has with it, again they get thwarted.
“I’m actually sick of it, it’s mean-spirited... no one’s trying to take the black and white stripes away from (Collingwood).
“It makes Collingwood look small from stopping Port Adelaide from wearing this jumper. That’s not what they are, Collingwood are big, and they’re trying to be bigger, broader and more inclusive.”
The Power famously changed into their prison bar strip after a win over Adelaide last year.
Collingwood hosts Port Adelaide on Saturday afternoon in what is sure to be a heated clash.