Port Adelaide’s decision to use the blockbuster Hollywood film about building an atomic bomb as motivation for the Brisbane Lions AFL final was ruled ‘in bad taste’
- Port Adelaide’s pre-game inspiration mode was left field
- Take on Brisbane Lions in the AFL qualifying final on Saturday night
- Strength coach Ken Hinkley said teamwork and common goals were crucial
Port Adelaide’s bizarre decision to take inspiration from a controversial Hollywood film about building an atomic bomb that ended World War II has been criticized by football fans online.
It follows star midfielder Ollie Wines being asked whether the Power had relied on motivational themes ahead of Saturday night’s qualifying final against Brisbane at the Gabba.
Wines’ answer – the movie Oppenheimer – raised many eyebrows.
“It’s a bit about how much work goes into something,” Wines told SEN Radio this week.
‘So many people have to come together and work hard for a number of years… (in terms of our team) this finals campaign isn’t just something that’s been built up this year – it’s probably been over the last four years.
Port Adelaide’s bizarre decision to take inspiration from a Hollywood film about building an atomic bomb that ended World War II has been praised by football fans online (pictured, Power coach Ken Hinkley)
‘The general idea of the film is that many people come together and work hard to achieve a common goal, which for us is hopefully a premiership.’
Stunned footy fans couldn’t believe Port’s method of inspiration in the left field.
“They might want to rewatch the movie a few more times because this is a terrible version and incredibly insensitive to themes,” someone wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Another wrote: ‘It sounds a bit dodgy to take inspiration from a biopic about the development of a nuclear weapon that has killed hundreds of thousands of civilians.’
A third declared: ‘The Atomic Bomb!! Serious??? More torn apart than brought together.’
After a barrage of criticism, Power coach Ken Hinkley said the collective focus was on teamwork under pressure.
Hinkley was also angry when he said that the movie star J. Robert Oppenheimer was an inappropriate role model for his play group.
Star midfielder Ollie Wines said teamwork is the main theme from the Oppenheimer film
Brisbane ($1.50) is heavily favored to topple Ken Hinkley’s Port Adelaide ($2.70) on home soil in Saturday’s AFL qualifying final
“Every club has a certain theme they can use at this time of year,” he told reporters before boarding a flight to Brisbane.
“The biggest thing about that, and I think Ollie has explained it incredibly well, is that it’s just a little story about how people had to come together over a long period of time to work really hard on one thing to get a result.
“We have been working on this task (winning a flag) for a long time, four or five years.”
Hinkley later admitted that he had not seen the film himself.
Brisbane ($1.50) are favored to topple Port Adelaide ($2.70) on home soil, with the first rebound at 7.25pm - the winner will advance to the preliminary final.