AFL cancels Power-Saints China game due to coronavirus fears, with match likely to be played at Marvel Stadium

The AFL has called off the annual Shanghai game between Port Adelaide and St Kilda following growing concerns over China’s coronavirus outbreak. An official announcement is expected on Wednesday.

Jarryn Geary of the Saints and Travis Boak of the Power pose for a photograph ahead of the 2019 Port Adelaide and St Kilda Shanghai match. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

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An official announcement that Port Adelaide’s showcase match against St Kilda in China will be moved back to Australia is expected to come on Wednesday as concerns about coronavirus escalate.

An AFL spokesman said a solution for the May 31 match was “gathering momentum”.

The Advertiser understands a joint announcement from the AFL, Port and St Kilda that the Shanghai match will be abandoned will come as early as tomorrow after discussions between the Australian and Chinese Governments.

The venue change will now throw up a fixture problem for the AFL.

Port Adelaide cannot play any home games away from Adelaide Oval as part of its contract, meaning the match will revert to a St Kilda home game.

If it is kept in Round 11, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium are already ruled out with scheduled matches.

A Monday night game has been mooted, but it is understood a Thursday night game looms as the most likely option now.

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The Saints and Power run through a joint banner during last year’s game in Shanghai. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

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The AFL could also shift the Power and Saints’ bye forward to Round 11 and play the game in Round 12.

The AFL has been resolute since the deadly coronavirus outbreak that it would not put the health and safety of players and club staff at risk.

Last week, The Advertiser reported some of the official travel agents for the match had stopped selling packages to Shanghai.

On Tuesday, leading travel agent Phil Hoffmann said his staff were working on ensuring clients who had booked packages to Shanghai were looked after if the game was cancelled as expected.

“We are working on contingency plans to make sure clients affected are looked after in the best possible way,” he said.

Phil Hoffmann Travel has already organised with land tour operators for full refunds in the event the game is cancelled.

Mr Hoffmann said airlines had different policies on such issues and his staff would be working with them once a decision was made.

He said it could result in a variety of offers depending on the airline, such as holding the airfares in abeyance until next year.

Originally published as AFL cancels Power-Saints China game due to coronavirus fears, with match likely to be played at Marvel Stadium