AFL announces plans to stage first match in China

Jon Ralph From: Herald Sun November 21, 2009
Shanghai is the AFL's chosen city for an exhibition football match. Source: Herald Sun
THE AFL will today announce details of its first match in China, with Melbourne and Brisbane set to clash in an exhibition match in Shanghai.

The teams will play on October 17 at the 30,000-seat Jiangwan Sports Centre as part of the city's World Expo.

Victoria is investing $6 million into the six-month long World Expo, with the game between the two sides one of its key planks.

Victorian Premier John Brumby and new Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy will make the official announcement of the game in Melbourne's Chinatown this morning.

While the AFL has pushed its international expansion through games in Dubai, South Africa and Canada, it has never played a match in China.

AFL national and international development manager David Matthews yesterday committed to the game at a signing ceremony in Shanghai.

Matthews said yesterday the AFL believed playing in China was the perfect way to showcase the game internationally.

"We are extremely excited to be able to bring Australia's indigenous game and all its unique skills to Shanghai as we continue to develop the code internationally," Matthews said.

"This is a great way to position ourselves as we keep ramping up our international strategy.

"We will see what the opportunities are across the world.

"Jason Akermanis put on a kicking display to the schoolkids at the signing ceremony here in Shanghai and he was amazing. He just has universal appeal."

The Demons and Lions will play for the Kaspersky AFL Cup, named after Melbourne's major sponsor, with Kaspersky open to funding a yearly game in a different international location.

Melbourne has been committed to the project through its links with China, but at one stage the Gold Coast side was flagged as its opponent.

Instead Brisbane was picked for what should be a marquee match-up between a young Demons side and a Brisbane line-up featuring Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola.

AFL officials are hoping both sides will be close to full strength, but inevitably young players will get opportunities with many players recovering from off-season surgery.

The Demons plan to fly over their entire playing list as part of a relationship-building exercise with China.

Former chief executive Steve Harris fostered the club's relationship with China, introducing an international membership scheme and sending nine players there in 2008.

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