AFL locks in free-to-air China TV networks to broadcast Gold Coast v Port Adelaide clash in Shanghai

AFTER fears the AFL couldn’t secure a TV deal to showcase the Gold Coast and Port Adelaide clash in Shanghai, the league has finally locked in three free-to-air TV stations to show the game.

Tom Lynch and Travis Boak with a trophy Gold Coast and Port Adelaide will play for in China.

GOLD Coast Suns chairman Tony Cochrane has bemoaned the fact the Suns were the AFL’s smallest club but they could soon own a new TV record after a deal was struck to beam the game into every Chinese home.

The AFL announced today that three major Chinese networks CCTV, Shanghai TV and Guangzhou TV.

The combined reach between the three networks extends to every television set in China.

There had been speculation the AFL had failed to secure a TV deal but the league’s chief financial officer Travis Auld announced an 11th hour deal had been struck.

The three networks are free-to-air and available to 1.3 billion people.

Tom Lynch and Travis Boak with a trophy Gold Coast and Port Adelaide will play for in China.

“I’m asked to confirm that CCTV the combined potential audience on the three networks along with our existing Australian and international broadcasters means that Sundays match in Shanghai will become the most watched AFL game in history.’’

Suns Chairman Tony Cochrane on Thursday gave an emotional explanation why the club had fought so hard to retain the right to wear their red home jumpers at Jiangaan Stadium on Sunday.

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Cochrane and Port chairman David Koch fronted a press conference at the Portman Ritz Carlton in Shanghai.

The pair had traded barbs in the lead-up to historic match over the Power’s bid to wear an especially created red jumper in the match.

Red is believed to bring good luck in Chinese culture.

The clash between Gold Coast and Port Adelaide will be played at the Jiangwan Sport Centre in Shanghai.

Cochrane stood his ground against his high-profile antagonist and won the battle.

He explained the stance was driven by his determination that the Suns’ identity was sacrosanct.

“Our jumper is not for sale,’’ he said.

“We are a young club, we have a small member base, we are seven years in while Port Adelaide are three years shy of their 150th year.

“We don’t have a heap of things going for us, what we do have is a great young playing group and a jumper that means just as much to us Collingwood’s does or any other club in the competition.’’