Certified Legendary Thread China History in the Making

[bomberclifford]

It was your thrust that rammed us into vChina.

I was just think of vChina all day and all night.

but we already have this vChina licked.

New account named with a gaming reference, gushing first post with obvious innuendo scattered throughout and a tone that parodies the current POTUS.

I'm calling this out as a troll.

 

[Hellgood]

wrote this for my Bigfooty news, and my site (with some input from the great RussellEbertHandball)

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Was the AFLs China foray a success or failure?

Much has been made of the recent Australian Rules game between the Gold Coast Suns and Port Adelaide in Shanghai - no small amount has been hype from the AFL, and some mockery from other codes, as well as some local confusion as to what the game actually is - so I thought we'd take a look at the venture.

Port Adelaide claims that match costs - including temporary stands and ground maintenance - were about $4 million and that these costs were met by twenty companies, including 12 Chinese companies who had never been involved in Australian football before . Port Adelaide has also secured another $3 million sponsorship with Chinese conglomerate MJK International Holdings - although much of this is to be allocated to its development programs in China.

Andrew Hunter, spearhead of Port Adelaides China strategy was quoted as saying that the club will bring in almost $10 million as a result. So at the very least, the game has broken even on cost - although we wont get the full picture until Ports next AGM and Annual Report.

Attendance was reported as 10,118 - a figure many remain skeptical about due to apparent large gaps in the crowd. Gillon Mclachlan was not altogether convincing in his explanation of the reason for the gaps when he said that the empty sections in the grandstand were due to fans in those sections having access to nearby corporate marquees which were located at either end of the ground. Tickets sold out in about three hours.

More than 5,000 Australian fans flew in for the game and around 2000-3,000 locals were believed to have purchased tickets, while the Financial Review reported that 3,000 tickets were taken by Australian and Chinese companies for corporate hospitality. The Review also reported 1,800 police were in attendance.

Considerable Government support was lent to the endeavor, including sponsorship by Tourism Australia. The event was attended by the South Australian Premier, Victorian and SA trade ministers, the Federal Assistant Trade Minister and the Australian Ambassador to China. A number of Australian and Chinese business representatives were also in attendance.

Chinese television ratings have not yet been made available (and to be honest the Australian ones werent fantastic), but the AFL was quite pleased to announce that three major Chinese networks CCTV, Shanghai TV and Guangzhou TV would all take the game live. CCTV is free to air and available to everyone in China with a television set, giving a potential reach of around 1.3 billion, while Shanghai TV and Guangzhou TV are available in their local regions only. Previous broadcasts in China have been reported in the media as rating between 2 and 3.5 million.

The Australian noted that local Chinese media reporting was generally favourable with the Chinese-language Wenhui Daily, writing the game was “a milestone event, a historic breakthrough. It drew wide interest from Australian and Chinese TV audiences, and might have reached the highest TV audience in the AFL’s history, with Channel 7, Fox Sports, China Central TV, Shanghai TV and Guangzhou TV all covering it.” Crowd reviews were a mixed bag of positive and negative.

Success, breakeven or Failure

• Financial - at this time, all reports indicate this was a financial success or at least a breakeven. If the club did get $10 million, thats equivelant to almost a quarter of its total financial income in previous years, and Im not sure how anyone can knock that back. I rate this a success.
• Attendance - the AFL calls it a success, however it was a little light on local flavour. However, for the first match for AFL premiership points in China, 2-3,000 public plus however many corporates is a reasonable start for a totally foreign sport. I rate this a breakeven.
• Television - no figures as yet supplied. This may not be a good sign, as they were expected earlier in the week. Possible Failure.
• Football - poor quality, probably not helped by the Suns preparations and weird flight arrangements. Certainly something for other teams to consider when playing next year. Unfortunately, this part has to be rated a failure.

In short, simply having this game be financially profitable is a success. It met all of Port Adelaide's aims, including increasing its sponsorship portfolio and Chinese exposure. Certainly Port and the AFL believes it to be a success and are planning on returning there next year.

Critical to the success has been the planning. This wasnt a fly by night operation - not least proven by the length of time it took to actually develop the turf at the stadium - the match was the culmination of years of work by Port Adelaide in particular who set their sights on a Chinese future as early as 2014, developing a business network in Hong Kong, sponsoring the chinese national Australian Football side,and then gaining Chinese corporate and Australian Government assistance and support.

Short term plans

Port Adelaide has indicated that it is fielding interest from a number of clubs and states in response to this match - there is no guarantee for the Suns - and expects to make as much as $2 million from the next clash. The Power paid Gold Coast $500,000 to play a home game in China this year, but the amount on offer for next season is said to be as high as $1 million.

The AFL is looking at playing the next game under lights, and in a better timeslot. The AFL has also said it will work towards increasing the grounds capacity after such a fast sell out. Port Adelaide Chairman David Koch has indicated that the club may look at the more modern Shanghai Stadium, although that comes with significant logistical hurdles including the presence of a running track. in the mean time, Port will continue to maintain the grass surface as its present venue.

Long term plans

This is a long term play by Port Adelaide and the AFL - but mostly Port Adelaide. Port have had a presence in Hong Kong for some years. The club sponsored China's AFL International Cup side in 2014 and is doing so again in 2017 - technical and financial support is also being provided thanks to the deal struck with Shanghai CRED in 2016. The club also has full time development officers in Southern China and around Shanghai and run an Auskick-type program in 14 international schools in the Shanghai area - which, thanks to MJK will now be expanding to Xian. The AFL itself is chipping in $250,000 for development in Southern China.

Port have also struck a deal with Shandong Sports University and the Shandong Research Centre of Sports Science that will open up opportunities to develop world-leading sports science research for all parties through collaborations in teaching, research, education, experiential learning and placement opportunities.

Port Adelaide are expected to submit a 5 year plan for its China venture to the league this week.

References

• Tourism Australia to sponsor China game (Port Adelaide 22/2/2017)
• Tickets for China game sell out in 3 hours (Financial Review 31/3/2017)
• Port Adelaide exceeds expectations (ABC 7/5/2017)
• TV ratings in China highlight potential for Port strategy (The Advertiser 9/6/2016)
• AFL locks in Free to air networks for Shanghai clash (Courier Mail 12/5/2017)
• Port Adelaide seeks 5 year deal in China (The Advertiser 12/5/2017)
• AFLs China expedition an uphill battle (ABC 12/5/2017)
• Thousands of AFL fans in Shanghai ahead of China clash (SBS 13/5/2017)
• Ports China strategy reaps $3 million deal (The Australian 13/5/2017)
• Gina Rinehart not the only billionaire in Shanghai for AFL (Financial Review 14/5/2017)
• Translation needed by AFL grabs a toehold in China (Fin. Review 14/5/2017)
• AFL clash to take place with heavy security (ABC 13/5/2017)
• AFL rates China game a success (ABC 15/5/2017)
• AFL makes its mark on China (The Australian 15/5/2017)
• Lighting, Timeslot emerge as challenges (The Australian 16/5/2017)
• Chinese media full of praise for AFL (The Australian 16/5/2017)

Others have commented as such, but have to give more credit to an outstanding and balanced summary.

 

[manureid]

New account named with a gaming reference, gushing first post with obvious innuendo scattered throughout and a tone that parodies the current POTUS.

I'm calling this out as a troll.

I am with you.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Lol that is clearly a troll.

 

[Marmozet]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

 

[xflamedancer]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

Wow, what a complete dickhead. I mean a five star, world class, Olympic gold medal standard dickhead. Obviously a Crows supporter going by the level of vitriol.

 

[Portorian guard]

New account named with a gaming reference, gushing first post with obvious innuendo scattered throughout

Portorian guard reply Oh don't be so juvenile. I thought we were better than this. Ok maybe I should have read it back out loud before posting. But who does that. Gee whiz, I'm a bit stiff to have such a balls up in my first post. Have to laugh.

and a tone that parodies the current POTUS.

I'm calling this out as a troll.

 

[Duck Farmer]

New account named with a gaming reference, gushing first post with obvious innuendo scattered throughout and a tone that parodies the current POTUS.

I'm calling this out as a troll.

Absolutely.

 

[Doctor Feel]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

lol what the * is the greenfield post?

 

[Lockhart Road]

As AFL ponders fixture changes, Cats open door to Shanghai

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...i/news-story/2258cf59322b4fae8ce1b841886a536c

Lockhart Road maybe we can play for the Quinn cup in Shanghai rather than ANZAC round.

I've been giving the naming of the China medal and the Shanghai Cup some thought, REH. I feel someone who has been physically involved in bringing Australian Football to China, and growing it there in the north, the south, Hong Kong and Shanghai ... should be honoured. There are not many thus qualified, but one who is is ...

ZHANG HAO

He moved from the Beijing Bombers to Guangzhou, was vital to the creation of the South China AFL and the Guangzhou Scorpions, has been coach and manager of the China Reds now Team China on three occasions, played in the curtain closer last Sunday, has made PAFC and AFL his career in China, recruited and trained Chen Shaoliang and loves the Port Adelaide Football Club with all his heart.

 

[1954]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

Written by Ryan Warren, who describes himself as a `digital editor.'
He has obviously been sticking at least one of his digits where the sun don't shine.

 

[pip_]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

If you're ever feeling a bit down on your self, or just feeling a bit dumb, seriously, read this for a coincidence booster.

Something tells me that Ryan will be the digital editor for the "greenfield post" for some time.

 

[70sDinosaur]

lol what the **** is the greenfield post?

I think it's the thing that Ryan Warren has stuck up his arse.

 

[Grave Danger]

I don't know if anybody has posted this but if not, here's a friendly reminder.

https://thegreenfieldpost.com.au/de...ina-game-is-an-absolute-shambles-80097960dd5e

Sounds like he swallowed some of 'Stevo's' bath water about the sandstorm that had already happened the week before the game.

Given Gold Coast's lamentable showing in the match I'm sure he'd say "There, I told you so!" in any follow-up or review. Article should be posted in the *shakes head* thread - what a moron.

 

[Marmozet]

Sounds like he swallowed some of 'Stevo's' bath water about the sandstorm that had already happened the week before the game.

Given Gold Coast's lamentable showing in the match I'm sure he'd say "There, I told you so!" in any follow-up or review. Article should be posted in the *shakes head* thread - what a moron.

Alright I'll post it there.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

lol what the **** is the greenfield post?

I think it was the newspaper on Green Acres

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I've been giving the naming of the China medal and the Shanghai Cup some thought, REH. I feel someone who has been physically involved in bringing Australian Football to China, and growing it there in the north, the south, Hong Kong and Shanghai ... should be honoured. There are not many thus qualified, but one who is is ...

ZHANG HAO

He moved from the Beijing Bombers to Guangzhou, was vital to the creation of the South China AFL and the Guangzhou Scorpions, has been coach and manager of the China Reds now Team China on three occasions, played in the curtain closer last Sunday, has made PAFC and AFL his career in China, recruited and trained Chen Shaoliang and loves the Port Adelaide Football Club with all his heart.

But did he play in the VFL?

 

[powermacs]

Written by Ryan Warren, who describes himself as a `digital editor.'
He has obviously been sticking at least one of his digits where the sun don't shine.

It's a fictional news site that's has links with MMM. So that probably tells you what the quality is like.

 

[Needs Gravy]

Written by Ryan Warren, who describes himself as a `digital editor.'
He has obviously been sticking at least one of his digits where the sun don't shine.

Sounds like an alias of Warren Partland

 

[1954]

It's a fictional news site that's has links with MMM. So that probably tells you what the quality is like.

I didn't hear it myself but I was told that there was some clown on MMM recently purporting to be a Port supporter ( yeah right ), who said he wanted to join Port as a member, but couldn't because there was no club to join.
The place I went to in Queen's street, Alberton last week, that has Port Adelaide Football Club over the door must have been a f****** mirage.

Unfortunately the campaigners who allow garbage like that to go to air unchallenged are obviously bigger d*ck heads than the clowns who ring them up with their crap.

 

[Adz2332]

bugger i forgot the Guernseys were finishing up last night.
anyone snare any at the auction?

 

[The_Wookie]

I've been giving the naming of the China medal and the Shanghai Cup some thought, REH. I feel someone who has been physically involved in bringing Australian Football to China, and growing it there in the north, the south, Hong Kong and Shanghai ... should be honoured. There are not many thus qualified, but one who is is ...

ZHANG HAO

He moved from the Beijing Bombers to Guangzhou, was vital to the creation of the South China AFL and the Guangzhou Scorpions, has been coach and manager of the China Reds now Team China on three occasions, played in the curtain closer last Sunday, has made PAFC and AFL his career in China, recruited and trained Chen Shaoliang and loves the Port Adelaide Football Club with all his heart.
View attachment 372927

Bigfooty - interviewing him before it was fashionable

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Catching up on some reading whilst I was in China. Rucci in his May 10 article talks about Koch's speech at the season launch on March 7 2014 at AO. He reckons Koch then talked about taking Port to China first with a preseason game in Macau. I went to the launch as a last minute fill in for the Big Footy player sponsorship. I remembered China talk but not Macau. I went to Macau the day after Rooch's article was published and I didn't see anywhere to host an AFL match unless it was an AFL 12's game on a soccer pitch or the land China has granted to Macause to build reasonable price housting for 100,000 residents. Did Rooch mean HK?

 

[OneGreatClub]

Catching up on some reading whilst I was in China. Rucci in his May 10 article talks about Koch's speech at the season launch on March 7 2014 at AO. He reckons Koch then talked about taking Port to China first with a preseason game in Macau. I went to the launch as a last minute fill in for the Big Footy player sponsorship. I remembered China talk but not Macau. I went to Macau the day after Rooch's article was published and I didn't see anywhere to host an AFL match unless it was an AFL 12's game on a soccer pitch or the land China has granted to Macause to build reasonable price housting for 100,000 residents. Did Rooch mean HK?

Weird, but I follow Port media articles very closely and I do remember mention of Macau in the early days. I remember thinking of the casino when it was mentioned.

 

[tribey]

I didn't hear it myself but I was told that there was some clown on MMM recently purporting to be a Port supporter ( yeah right ), who said he wanted to join Port as a member, but couldn't because there was no club to join.
The place I went to in Queen's street, Alberton last week, that has Port Adelaide Football Club over the door must have been a f****** mirage.

It is pretty hard to miss, what with only being there since 1880 and all.