Gold Coast should not have given up on playing AFL games in China, writes Alastair Lynch

Critics of the AFL’s foray into China must see past the crowd numbers and realise it could provide a much needed financial windfall, one the Gold Coast Suns let slip, writes Alastair Lynch.

Chinese performers at the AFL China game. Picture: AFL Photos

I have always supported the principle behind the AFL’s push into China and now, after having my first experience of a game there on the weekend, I’m more convinced than ever.

It seems my opinion goes against the grain if what I am reading and hearing is reflective of the football public’s opinion.

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It was a pity the score was another blowout and the injury to Saints skipper Jarryn Geary was terribly unfortunate.

But it should not be seen as a wasted exercise by the Saints, in fact I would go one step further and say the Gold Coast Suns let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers by ending their association with the event.

Sadly for the Suns, Jiangwan Stadium was also not a happy hunting ground and maybe the heavy losses in their two appearances weakened their resolve.

People back in Australia bag the crowds and ridicule the event because they believe the AFL will never convert China to our Indigenous game.

Chinese performers at the AFL China game. Picture: AAP Images

But that isn’t the point.

It wasn’t that long ago when Port had sponsors’ tarps covering seats at AAMI Stadium in Adelaide, and even talk of if they were financial enough to stay in the AFL.

Port had to think outside the typical football club model.

And indeed they have.

Take a stroll around Shanghai, spend time at any of the official functions in the lead up to the game or wander through the corporate areas behind the stadium on game day, where the broadcast cameras aren’t shooting, and you will quickly realise that this is primarily about business. The trip gives Port Adelaide the perfect platform to not only put their sponsors in front of a Chinese market but also to create partnerships between Australian and Chinese companies.

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The presence of Australian executives, many from the mining sector who did business in Shanghai around the game last week, proves the value they see in the exercise.

The representation of Chinese and Australian money at those events was staggering.

Port Adelaide are in boots and all and they should be applauded for that.

Gold Coast appeared to settle for the $600,000 to $800,000 they earned for selling home games in 2017 and 2018 to Port Adelaide.

Yes, they made more from those two games than most others played at Metricon Stadium over their history, so the exercise was still profitable.

Did Gold Coast miss out by giving up on the China game? Picture: AFL Photos

But they didn’t use the platform as Port Adelaide have done to attract new sponsors or create more commercial opportunities for themselves and their existing partners.

And that is what smaller clubs must do. Relying on the old membership model is no longer sustainable for many outfits other than the massive clubs such as Collingwood and Richmond.

The smaller clubs like Port Adelaide, St Kilda and Queensland’s two clubs have to find alternative revenue streams to one day be able to thrive in a difficult market.

With the amount of Chinese investment on the Gold Coast and the massive tourism dollars they pump into the economy every year, the Suns were a logical first choice to partner Port Adelaide in China.