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Port Adelaide and Gold Coast will renew their on-field AFL rivalry in Shanghai next season but the ugly off-field guernsey stoush is over.
The AFL confirmed on Tuesday that the Chinese experiment will continue, with the clubs to face off at Jiangwan Stadium – to be temporarily renamed Adelaide Arena – on a Saturday afternoon in round nine next year.
The lead-up to this year’s historic first match for premiership points outside Australia and New Zealand – won by Port by 72 points – was marred by bickering between the clubs over who had the right to wear their home jumper.
The Power, who are spearheading the venture and bought the rights to a Suns’ home game, were aggrieved that Gold Coast stuck to their guns and wore their predominantly red strip with yellow trim.
Those colours are closely aligned with the Chinese national flag, which Port felt would steal their thunder with local fans they were trying to win over.
Incensed Power chairman David Koch said that Gold Coast wouldn’t be invited back over the issue, but time has healed those wounds.
“It’s pretty simple, when we first started thinking about the China game in 2017 we were concerned about the guernsey – the reality is that it’s not that big a deal,” Power chief executive Keith Thomas said.
“It wasn’t a big deal to the people over there, it’s not a big deal to us.
“Gold Coast can wear its home guernsey … it is not an issue for us.”
Then-Suns coach Rodney Eade wasn’t thrilled with the fixture and his side duly put in a disinterested performance.
But Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans said his club are fully on board with the showcase game.
“We’ve learnt many things from our match earlier this year, particularly with our team and supporter travel,” Evans said.
“We have a new coach (former Sydney assistant Stuart Dew), we have new plans, we have new players and a renewed spirit.”
Each team will have a bye following the China game to aid their recovery efforts.
By Jason Phelan and James Hall
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