Port Adelaide have maintained their Shanghai supremacy, downing Gold Coast by 40 points in a wet-weather AFL slog at Jiangwan Stadium.
The Suns fought hard to deliver an improved performance from their drubbing in last year’s inaugural China game, but were no match for the resurgent Power. Port’s 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42) victory on Saturday lifts them to fourth on the ladder.
Champion midfielder Robbie Gray was quiet after slotting six goals in last week’s Showdown triumph, but the Power had no shortage of contributors with skipper Travis Boak (28 disposals, seven clearances) awarded the Shanghai Medal as best-afield.
Whether the AFL’s second China excursion can be considered a resounding success is up for debate.
Officials had been expecting a sellout crowd of about 11,000 fans and came close to hitting that number with an official attendance of 10,689.
But large sections of seating were empty, suggesting there were plenty of spectators who chose not to stick around for the full game.
Persistent showers throughout the day most likely contributed to the poor showing, with the temperature dropping from the high 30s earlier in the week to just 21 degrees.
Port’s inaccuracy in front of goal and the fact Gold Coast only managed two majors after quarter-time were also sour notes.
There was still plenty of enthusiasm among the travelling fans and curious locals, as Suns skipper Steven May shook hands with Port counterpart Travis Boak before the two teams ran onto the ground through a shared banner.
The camaraderie didn’t last long.
Port agitator Sam Powell-Pepper and Suns midfielder Ben Ainsworth were in each other’s faces early and were involved in scuffles off the ball throughout the game. A high bump from Powell-Pepper is likely to earn him match review scrutiny.
A late replacement for Jack Martin (illness), Suns veteran Matt Rosa had the distinction of scoring the first goal – a classy drop punt from a tight angle on the boundary.
But the Power quickly snapped into action, scoring the next three goals through Chad Wingard, Sam Gray and Tom Rockliff.
Gold Coast teenager Jacob Heron, who joined the exclusive group of players to make his AFL debut outside of Australia, then slotted a goal with his first kick, as the Power closed out an entertaining first quarter with a three-point lead.
If the first term showed glimpses of the game the AFL would like to show to the world, it would be a stretch to say the same of the remaining three quarters.
Each team managed just one goal in the second term and the game descended into a contested scrap.
The Suns went a man down late in the second quarter, as Rosa succumbed to a hamstring injury, while Nick Holman copped a blow to the head in the fourth quarter.
Ruckman Jarrod Witts stood tall for the Suns, getting the better of counterpart Paddy Ryder with 43 hit-outs and 12 clearances.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Somebody booked a holiday to the Gold Coast as well Claudio!
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Nah - the Sour had to win a Showdown again eventually. That is 1 of the last 6. What I don't like to see is Port fans claiming financial success for a game that they (by their own admission) made a small loss on last year and there have been rumblings of a similar loss this year. If they are making money again perhaps they can start repaying the many millions used to prop them up in recent years, and maybe, just maybe get off the State Government teat that sees money given to them at the drop of a hat. You just need the trains to run late and a $50K cheque is written. SA already has a Representative Office in Shanghai (and has done for many years) which is designed to help businesses in both China and Australia with accessing respective markets. Why do we need Port Adelaide to do that as well? Sounds like an excuse to write Port another cheque funded by State taxes.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Why would you want to see port play two games in China given your long held views on the unfairness of the fixture as it is? You just claimed they were losing money on it? So now you’re trying to make a case they should play two, because I said you had no evidence for your claim the afl was funding it or that it was losing money? You’re the one who’s not keeping up. It has been that way for years. I must say I do like you’ve stepped your game up in recent weeks tho. Lot more verbiage from you. Funny how that’s happened almost to the day since i needled you about poor quality commentary and drew your attention to Rick disnicks analysis as something to aspire to. You’re marvellously transparent. It’s your predictability that makes you so tedious.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
The Victorian Rules media department have put out a press release to explain. Those weren't empty seats mate, they were just very small Chinese spectators who don't wear colourful clothing and are hard to see against the backdrop of the big grey seats, some sitting two or three to a seat. Oh good. That explains the sell out crowd. I believe the merchandise shop at the ground also sold 2 AFL Sherrins and a Suns scarf, which proves what a great money spinner this venture was for Australian taxpayers.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Deal with it. I've already picked up 1,000 free tickets for next year's match and I'm taking 10,000 of my Chinese mates in Shaghai with me to the game, we'll be front and centre mate. No empty seats.
Leonard
Guest
Can understand the skepticism in most of the posts, but claims of outright lying about crowds at this game (and across the AFL, and Big Sport, in general) need testing. But how? Surely TV vision can be enhanced to 'read' the crowd number / empty seats at each match to, say, the nearest 100, or even to the nearest 10? Then, attendance exaggerations in the 1000s would be much more obvious, and various stakeholders (Including governments) outside the actual competitions would be right to demand greater honesty. As well, wouldn't commentators not employed by the AFL (or other sports authorities) have a fair idea of the crowd capacity of each of the venues they see a dozen or so tines a season? Have any journos followed up claims of freebies at Maccas or local servos? Have they tried stings, or kept a watch on some of them? That'd be far more credible. (Ex Brisbane Bears coach Walls had a good story about being offered a fistful one day on his way to coach at Carrara!) Suspect that some of the cynicism about, say, GWS crowds is maliciously motivated. BTW, someone had a post somewhere on a Roar page which was like: "I don't want Australian Football to expand overseas, because if successful, we could lose control of it, just as Canadians did with their ice hockey".
Aligee
Guest
Deal with it cuzzy bro .... http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/news/2018-05-18/port-extends-partnership-with-shanghai-cred 5 more years
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
What's wrong with a bit of corruption fella?
Cat
Roar Guru
You lot would know all about rorting and extorting. At least the AFL doesn't stoop to FIFAs level of skulduggery.
anon
Roar Pro
You claimed Port were making money on this game without the AFL underwriting it. I said why not play two games there if it's a success. Then you argued why Port can't play two games because of fixturing. I offered a solution -- play a week earlier in round 1. You made all kinds of excuses. Try to keep up.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
A "sell out" crowd from a "sell out" organisation who would sell their own grandmothers, if it made them money or look better. As a taxpayer, I greatly protest the waste of time and money. Can't wait to see how much credit the Victorian Rules marketing department will take every time we sell something to China now. Victorian Rules, "the game that made the world." Can't wait for the AFLX game in the grounds of Buckingham Palace next.
Aligee
Guest
Interesting stat - 4 players in the Shanghai game were from that 'backwater" of footy - Cairns. Jacob Heron Jack Bowes Charlie Dixon Jared Harbrow
Paul D
Roar Guru
So now after arriving at this topic with a broadside about how pointless this game was - you’re now pushing a case that there should be...two? I get you like to argue, I really do. But it’s the utter lack of continuity or logic or principle in what you post that exposes you
Martin
Guest
I attended the match in Shanghai yesterday and thought everything went smoothly, it was a well run event and pleased I went. There was more than a few boos in the crowd when a spectator had to return the football after taking a difficult chest mark in the grandstand. The AFL should let spectators keep the football if they are fortunate enough to be in a position to mark the football for Shanghai matches, a special rule for Shanghai only.
Paulie
Guest
Move on AFL its an Aussie game
anon
Roar Pro
Make it a split round then. Hardly unfair. Unfair it playing the Grand Final in Melbourne. Half the teams are punished with an away final even if they earned a home final.
Birdman
Guest
tru dat
Paul D
Roar Guru
Odd line of argument to make - particularly for someone who spends so much time huffing and puffing about the intrinsic unfairness of the fixture as it stands How’s that evidence going
anon
Roar Pro
You could play a one off game round 1 one week before the rest of the competition starts. Think outside the box.... Play other teams there. I'm sure big Chinese money will want to get on board considering how successful this venture has been.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Might be hard to give Port Adelaide two byes during the season LOL