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
Tom
Guest
+24Million other Australians Pigs will fly before this fantasy does
Republican
Guest
Thats right Brendan its all to do with 'coin' while the AFL are not left wanting in that respect.. Where they spend it is more pertinent I believe - or in our case where they do not spend it.
Republican
Guest
A red herring Harry - to be sure.
Mark
Guest
Then so are Hawks, Roos, Dogs and Dees.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
At one stage cricket was introduced to The wild hill horseman in Pakistan, not to mention squash I think Gaelic football would do fine in Mongolia I am surprised that Euro handball is not bigger in this country, not a bad game
anon
Guest
This would be like someone trying to introduce Gaelic Football to Mongolia. Or how about introducing European Handball to the Cambodians. "Hey, we'll just take a game to Mongolia, put a deal together to show some games and a cheesy reality show on one of 150 cable channels and voila the Cambodians will be enamored with the sport of Gaelic Football."
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Where should they play there games whilst the Showgrounds are being used ?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
If some Chinese company wants to throw a few mill into Port's coffers, how is that a bad thing?
Steve
Guest
RedB It may be the cash strapped Essendon after the avalanche of players start sueing.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Sydney gets four FTA games per week, you really are just full of it, definitely you need THAGLHAY You really do feel the need to pontificate from upon high, reading between the lines you are just another fuss.
Republican
Guest
Mike Only the other day Gil was indulging in his pet NZ hard sell on 3AW I think. Nauseating truth be told. The only criteria the AFL are interested in in respect of growth, is the time differential that assist the them in the cold war for tele rights and this is NZ are being touted much to the chagrin of real domestic options.
marron
Guest
Where do I sit? Critic of the AFL largely. Critic of the narratives and the way they're created and propagated. Fan of the game whose interest has waned considerably due to rule changes and only getting gws and swans games and the offcuts.
Republican
Guest
The Giants are a farce so long as they have a foot in both Canberra and Western Sydney. They should commit to one or tother.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
And who gives a rats backside if it never does? I sure won't I will still enjoy it the same as I do now. Which is apparently more than you enjoy your sport because you have such an inferiority complex you need to come post to this tiny domestic sports board.
The Auteur
Guest
Yep. But only in the proper football. The AFL is dreaming if they think their umm 'sport' will gain any action outside of Australia.
clipper
Guest
I do think Fussball has a point re the recovery time. Soccer players just accept these distances as part of the gig, AFL haven't until now had to think about these distances - although it's a pity the tone disintegrated as it did.
clipper
Guest
Big jump this year after a slight fall last year. Will be interesting to see what happens next year. The hard part is finding enough oval fields to play on.
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
For a fan of the Australian game I don't think you have ever posted one positive comment, how long and how many posts have you made on this site ?at least fuss is up front with his dislike, others just make sneaky snide comments thinking they are better and smarter than others - where do you sit ?
marron
Guest
Just ignored but I'm used to the closed loop, as I said it's fascinating. 24 episode documentary on the history of the PA football club, every game broadcast at prime time. Got it.
Brendon the 1st
Guest
What's 1% of a billion people? That's what they're aiming at, still an awful lot of new supporters and coin.