Certified Legendary Thread China History in the Making

[RossFC]

 

[OneGreatClub]

Love his passion. Imagine if the world was run by naysayers So many AFL clubs are making a loss. This is opening up new opportunities for sponsorship for everyone with our biggest trading partner. Amazingly positive. We will just have to drown out the troublemakers and the wet blankets and do this. Port Adelaide to the world. Go Kochie!

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Fantastic I will use this video for my new thread as the pictures of Shanghai stadium on the net are shit house.

 

[DPS72]

I havent really had a chance to keep up to date with whats going on, but is there any signs early on to see how much interest the Chinese are actually showing in the game and Port Adelaide? Its all been fantastic news, id just love to know how it all looks so far from the other side over there (and the Chinese population here).

 

[tnk64]

I havent really had a chance to keep up to date with whats going on, but is there any signs early on to see how much interest the Chinese are actually showing in the game and Port Adelaide? Its all been fantastic news, id just love to know how it all looks so far from the other side over there (and the Chinese population here).

The Chinese TV viewership of the Port-Essendon game was reportedly over twice that of the Australian viewership, and CCTV have asked for more games. I've seen no suggestions of using any stadium that would seat fewer than 40,000 people, indicating confidence in a turnout that would far exceed the 7000 who went to the 2010 Melbourne-Brisbane game. Interest is apparently high enough ffor CCTV to commission in advance a 25 episode documentary on Chen Shaoliang. All signs at this point are positive.

 

[Rexie J]

We were already in the throes of planning our fourth trip to Hong Kong in as many years, so the PAFC playing in Shanghai will be the creme dela creme

The benefits go way beyond the PAFC and mere potential for a diverse range of (South) Australian businesses/exporters. Ignore at their peril!!

During our recent 14 day visit to HK in Feb. we were often approached by groups of primary school (age) kids conducting survey projects. All spoke excellent English and were more than keen to chat after their designated questions were asked and super keen to know more about Australia. We later met several mainland Chinese families and learned they spoke excellent English as it was a major school subject. Somewhat embarrassing as 'we' could not speak a word of Chinese.

It is now an absolute pleasure to see the PAFC playing in a country I never knew existed when I first travelled down Torrens Road in an uncles yellow FJ some 60 plus years ago or in later years, ever thought Port would play in another country in another era - although thoroughly enjoyed the many luncheons at the Club..

A golden era awaits without doubt.

 

[tribey]

成長餡餅

 

[OneGreatClub]

 

[raptalia]

Perhaps the most informative article on the China Deal appears on page 6 of today's Monoploy Times and it isn't written by a sports journo but a business reporter.

I note that the pro Crow editorial staff at the Monopoly Times cannot resist having a bob each way. In a few lines they begrudgingly tell us the PAFC is to be commended on a bold move then spend the rest of their time relating the failures of the past. For some time I have harboured the belief that the Crows have done a clandestine deal with the Murdoch Empire as they push the Crow barrow at every opportunity. Then again maybe all the pro Crow shit I have endured in their rag over the years has made me paranoid.

 

[Quadzilla]

'yong bu fen kai'

Never tear us apart

.. in mandarin

 

[Papa G]

I think the key difference between this China strategy and other expansion attempts is that this is not simply another case of the AFL trying to impose itself and its self proclaimed superior product onto a foreign market. It was concerted effort by the club to build relationships and create opportunities to foster an interest in our club and the sport more broadly.

This is not a one-off match with some token coaching clinics and clips of people taking hangers. It is a comprehensive approach to garner interest in the game and develop lasting relationships within China on a number of levels, which is being supported and backed financially by a Chinese company.

The simple minds in the media either cannot, or refuse to, accept this. Probably because it is easier to apply past results to predict future outcomes...even when the circumstances are vastly different!

Aussie Rules didn't work in Ireland, NZ or South Africa above all for 1 simple reason: All have atleast 2 football codes absolutely ingrained within their cultures. China, whilst a soccer playing nation, isnt particularly good at it and its not what you'd call cultrally ingrained. That provides a massive opening.

 

[Papa G]

Cheers to REH and LR for their comments it was one of the stranger lunches I have had. Like most who post on here the club feels like part of our family so upon hearing the details felt I had found one of wonkas golden tickets. It has been great to watch it unfold and the next chapters will be even more enjoyable. Would like to echo LR's comment about big footy I may have self combusted if I could not discuss the issues with REH and LR.

So who was the blabbermouth?

 

[elsler]

new avatar i like it

 

[Dalphonso]

So we should come up with a 7-14 day agenda of what to do in China before and after the game.Great Wall,Shanghai(If Footy is there) Yangtze River,Those thousands of statue blokes.Beijing.Cheap Chinese hookers by the score.

 

[70sDinosaur]

Statue blokes?

Are you talking about Richmond tonight?

 

[SgtSchulz]

SOAK IT IN WITH FULL HD!

 

[Grave Danger]

So who was the blabbermouth?

Kane Cornes

 

[chiwigi]

The reaction of the others shows we are winning. **** them all, WE ARE PORT ADELAIDE!

I ducking love my club, and yes I am pissed, it's my birthday and we are ****ing awesome.

 

[ozaddy]

So we should come up with a 7-14 day agenda of what to do in China before and after the game.Great Wall,Shanghai(If Footy is there) Yangtze River,Those thousands of statue blokes.Beijing.Cheap Chinese hookers by the score.

Yangshuo

 

[Grave Danger]

The reaction of the others shows we are winning. **** them all, WE ARE PORT ADELAIDE!

I ducking love my club, and yes I am pissed, it's my birthday and we are ******* awesome.

I'm looking forward to that on Sunday

 

[Powerstufff]

...... Cheap Chinese hookers by the score.

Kept typing a little too long.
Keep yourself classy like Cold Chisel's "And there ain't nothing like the kisses from a jaded Chinese princess."

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

Can't wait for the fireworks!

 

[Boss351]

The reaction of the others shows we are winning. **** them all, WE ARE PORT ADELAIDE!

I ducking love my club, and yes I am pissed, it's my birthday and we are ******* awesome.

Happy Birthday matey, nurse that expected headache

 

[Coobk001]

Seriously I'm incredibly proud that we're attacking such a task with such a well planned and comprehensive strategy. However forget Port Adelaide, this stuff is just great for the game. Growing up you always dream about the possibility of our game expanding and growing in another country and these steps while small are amazingly some of the most profound steps our entire game has ever taken.

I remain synical like many that it may not take off in China, but far out why not give it a crack, and importantly what if it does work? It'd be the single greatest thing that's ever happened for our game.

So I'm personally not just thinking about Port, I'm just stoked about this news for the whole AFL. The entire community should be behind this push and trying our best to broaden the horizons of our little game.

 

[I Dont Care]

Exactly right. To quote what I just put on the main board:

In the last 4 home games against Port Adelaide in Victoria, Melbourne has averaged 19,840, North 18,205, St Kilda 20,074, Dogs 18,525. All four have consistently sold home games for matches against Port to other states in the last 10 years. So why not China? As Crow fans used to always say to us, 'how about your supporters turn up?'. Well how about the other half of their members turn up? If these home games are so valued by their supporters, why do 40-70% of their membership base stay home for these home games?
How much money do you reckon those 4 clubs make with those figures against Port at home? None. So instead of losing $100-200k on a home game, why not receive a cheque of $500k+ (because thats what it will be), completely risk free mind you, with none of the expenses of putting on the match? Its a free kick.
The same applies for Gold Coast if it is indeed them. A total financial free kick. Makes sense.

Good thing you posted this here, so I could see it