Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas’ night vision for China

PORT Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas has a million-dollar dream for its China adventure.

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PORT Adelaide has a million-dollar dream for its China adventure. This is to refurbish the four floodlight towers at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium to allow for the first AFL premiership-season night game played overseas.

And Power chief executive Keith Thomas’ vision for AFL international expansion has more than one game played in China each season with Port Adelaide keen to look at back-to-back games in Shanghai.

Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, China looking a treat before Saturday’s game between Port Adelaide and Gold Coast Suns. Picture: Michelangelo Rucci.

Thomas told The Advertiser his club’s long-term plans in China are filled with increasing optimism — and growing interest from Chinese backers — that the AFL should capitalise on the opportunity by increasing its annual presence in Shanghai.

“We’d like to throw it on the table — back-to-back games that keeps us creative on how we present Australian football overseas,” Thomas said.

“Right now, I am wondering is one game a year enough to make our case in China. It would be a significant statement to the Chinese market if we played two matches a year — and spent more time here in schools, developing coaches and building cultural relationships between Australia and China.”

Port Adelaide on Saturday will play Gold Coast in the second AFL match for premiership points in Shanghai with uncertainty as to whether the Suns will return for a third game.

There will be at least four other AFL clubs — in particular the oft-mentioned St Kilda — looking at the prospect of replacing Gold Coast next season.

“Whichever club it is,” said Thomas, “the move to China needs to make strategic sense for them. That is a question Gold Coast — and other clubs showing interest — need to put in their conversations about playing in China.”

Port Adelaide’s long-term planning in China — that stretches for the next 30 years — has a pressing urge to find the cash to renovate the floodlighting at Jiangwan Stadium.

“I love the idea of a night game and the theme of Shanghai nights,” Thomas said.

“That is absolutely on our wish list. There is a bit of work to do on that — and $1 million cost — but it can be done. The concept has a lot of appeal.”

Thomas revealed to The Advertiser that Port Adelaide has found $15 million in new revenue and 37 new business partners in its move to Shanghai. One of the major backers unveiled during last year’s groundbreaking game was e-commerce and real estate company MJK that signed a four-year deal with the Power.

Steven Motlop in Shanghai takes a breather at Port Adelaide training at Jiangwan Stadium. Picture: Michelangelo Rucci

Port Adelaide's chief executive officer Keith Thomas in Shanghai, China.

That sponsorship deal has been put on hold, explained Thomas, until MJK fully enters the Australian market and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.

Port Adelaide is again budgeting to break even on the weekend’s match against the Suns after further investment on the Jiangwan Stadium’s changerooms to make them meet AFL standards and on spectator facilities. Thomas is confident the match will turn a profit in the short-term — and staging the annual visit to China would become more economical with a second match each season.

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