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The AFL is backing Port Adelaide’s plans to play an AFL premiership season game in China next year with a memorandum of understanding signed.
The announcement was made in Shanghai with AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Power board members Keith Thomas and David Koch in attendance.
“The AFL will work with Port Adelaide to explore all available options to take a first game for premiership points into China,” McLachlan said.
Port Adelaide’s desire to play in China comes after the club signed deals with a Chinese property developer and Central China Television, which televises weekly Port Adelaide highlights.
There’s still a lot to accomplish to get the logistics right, with no opponent or venue locked in for the proposed fixture.
The AFL says the match would be played during the bye weekend of the 2017 season.
If the match does go ahead it will be the first time a game has been played in China since Melbourne and Brisbane played an exhibition in 2010.
Port Adelaide also unveiled plans to build the game in China with a number of initiatives including supporting the Auskick brand and sponsoring South China AFL.
Port said in a statement all parties would endeavour to stage a match in China next year – but the club said it wouldn’t sacrifice an Adelaide Oval home game.
“Today is a day that has been the culmination of a lot of hard work, and to be honest, a day that many thought would never happen,” Port chief executive Keith Thomas said.
“I’m incredibly proud to have a signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of the Port Adelaide Football Club that ensures we will do everything possible to play a game for premiership points here in Shanghai as early as next season,” he said.
with AAP
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