Renault teams up with Port

FOOTBALL, meat pies, kangaroos and … Renault cars. The premium French brand is the latest in a string of car makers to attach themselves to an AFL football team.

While most car-makers cherry pick teams from the top of the AFL ladder, Renault has instead backed Port Adelaide - the 2011 wooden spooners and fourth-last finisher in last year’s season - as the team that will carry its name into 2013.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum and over a three-year period, will result in Port Adelaide players wearing the Renault logo on their guernseys.

“As 'challenger' brands experiencing significant growth in Australia, both Renault and Port Adelaide will share a strong sense of fun, innovation and a determination to succeed,” Renault said on its website following the announcement.

“Fans can look forward to an exciting year both on and off the field.”This is not the first time Renault has been involved in the AFL, sponsoring Collingwood for two seasons in 2002 after re-establishing the French brand in Australia in mid-2001.

Collingwood finished just outside the top three in 2002, and were the convincing runners-up in 2003, losing to the Brisbane Lions by a 50-point margin.

Earlier this year, local car-maker Holden announced a tie-in with -- you guessed it -- Renault’s former club, Collingwood.

The multimillion-dollar deal will add the Holden logo to team guernseys for a three-year period.