Port Adelaide packs its bags for long road Shanghai with confidence from last year’s experiences
PORT Adelaide starts the AFL’s longest road trip with greater certainty of what to expect in Shanghai against the Gold Coast Suns.
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PORT Adelaide will leave for Shanghai on Monday night with greater certainty — from last year’s groundbreaking experiences in China — in its preparation for the clash with Gold Coast.
An extended Power squad will travel from Adelaide to Shanghai — through Melbourne and Hong Kong — arriving at the team base at the Portman Carlton-Ritz hotel at lunchtime.
And much from last May’s historic match — that ended with a 72-point win against the Suns at Jiangwan Stadium — stays in place to have the Port Adelaide players at ease with the AFL’s longest road trip.
“It is a good trip,” said Power ruckman Patrick Ryder. “It will be a lot easier because we know exactly how to plan for it and what is going to happen.
“Our coaches and staff will be right on top of making sure we prepare even better this time.
“As players, we just have to make sure we look after our bodies (while travelling after a tough Showdown). It will be good for the boys to get away together, but we also have to expect Gold Coast will be better for having experienced the trip last year — and wanting to do better on the field too.”
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley adds: “We know what to expect. We’re comfortable with what we have to go through and what we have to do. And we look forward to representing the club in its journey to China which is pretty significant to Port Adelaide.”
Port Adelaide reported no injury from the demanding Showdown win. Second-year midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper was cramping at the end of the game, but — contrary to radio reports — has no hamstring issues.
Powell-Pepper can travel to China after he signs a $2500 cheque to clear away the match-day report from field umpire Simon Meredith for wrestling Crows midfielder Matt Crouch in a heated finish to the third term.
By contrast, Gold Coast has lost key position player Sam Day for one match for striking Melbourne defender Neville Jetta and co-captain Steven May must face the tribunal for making contact to an umpire.
Port Adelaide has the expectation of playing in China for at least another three seasons, but most probably with a new opponent next year.
The Power must buy an “away” game as it cannot move any of its 11 home games at Adelaide Oval. Gold Coast is expected to sell a home game against Fremantle at least $1 million rather than take the $600,000 from the Power for moving from Metricon Stadium to Shanghai.
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au
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