Mission to find Gav's walking jumper

Gavin Wanganeen in action durign the 2004 AFL Grand Final. Source: News Limited

PORT Adelaide has launched a public appeal to have Gavin Wanganeen's 2004 premiership guernsey returned after it went missing during the club's landmark Grand Final celebrations.

Wanganeen, one of the club's best players on the day, is the only player from the side that doesn't have his jumper to frame from the Power's premiership after it went missing in the hours of jubilation after the final siren.

He had worn it until he jumped into the shower that Saturday night at the MCG and it is believed it was lifted from his bag either in the rooms or when it was bunched up with the other players' bags in transit or at the team hotel.

It is not the only item that went missing that day: full back Darryl Wakelin, who still cherishes the blood stained jumper from his altercation with Brisbane forward Alastair Lynch, had his shorts go missing in similar circumstances.

Wanganeen, Wakelin, Michael Wilson and Josh Carr caught up this week and compared notes with what had happened to their memorabilia over the years and the common theme was this: it is stuck in a bag or a box around the house and will be put on display when the players get around to it.

From left to right, Michael Wilson, Josh Carr, Wanganeen and Darryl Wakelin. Picture: Mike Burton. Source: News Limited

Wilson had framed his first AFL jumper and given it to his father-in-law and was planning to sell some of his gear off to raise money for charity, but the rest of them had yet to get as organised.

Wanganeen, the 1993 Brownlow Medallist, was hoping to put some of his old gear together and on display in a discreet part of his house - ``You wouldn't want it in the main part,'' he said - but the missing piece is the 2004 Power premiership jumper.

The appeal to find Wanganeen's jumper come as the players prepare for a 10-year reunion on March 8 in 2014, a dinner for players and supporters, plus celebrations surrounding the April 12 match against the Lions at Adelaide Oval.

At least Wanganeen is guaranteed a replica: the club will wear the 2004 version with the names of all players and supporters who sign up for a $260 jumper for the occasion in the round four match against Brisbane.

Wakelin has signed up for three of them for his children.

For more information on the replica jumpers, the club's membership number is 1300 467 232.

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