The China Game

[3Dee 1,153]

Port getting all the credit for trailblazing the way.. people forgetting the Scully incident. 

[DubDee 25,886]

does anyone know why the AFL would want a game in China?

eventually have a chinese team in AFL?  China start their own league?

its all sounds pointless and very unlikely to bring any lasting change

[hardtack 10,547]

2 hours ago, praha said:

The only way to *truly* get to the Chinese is to draft a China-born player. Establishing a brand is one thing. Having one of their own is another.

I don't know... there are a number of Australians in the NFL in the US... just how much interest has that generated here? I'd argue, not much.

[What 18,810]

Waste of time.  

Lets hope it knackers Port for the rest of the season though, as we race them to the 8. Sounds like a long plane ride. Hopefully the game is one of Chinas smoggiest cities.

Edited May 3, 2017 by Petraccattack

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

does anyone know why the AFL would want a game in China?

eventually have a chinese team in AFL?  China start their own league?

its all sounds pointless and very unlikely to bring any lasting change

So they can bring in some Chinese money and once and for all crush rugby league and soccer.

 

 

It does seem peripheral and of dubious value until you realise that only 1/1,000,000th of a percent of Chinese money will buy every sporting club in Australia 6 times over.

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

It could blow up in Port's face big time. They realised all too late the issue of the jumper colours. They completely blew it.

I don't know how many Chinese are genuinely interested in this game and how many are using it as leverage to do business in Australia.

But GCS could easily end up as the crowd darlings and Gil will have no hesitation in making them "the Chinese club" each year, with Port out in the cold,  if it means more $$$ for the AFL.

On the surface, Port have paid GCS to move their home game. It may transpire that in fact they have paid them to reap the benefits of playing in China!

I suspect this may have dawned on Kochie and that is why he kicked up a fuss over the jumpers. And Gil revealed his hand in saying "tough bikkies Dave".

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,508]

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

I don't know... there are a number of Australians in the NFL in the US... just how much interest has that generated here? I'd argue, not much.

All the promotions for the event are promoting 'networking' opportunities; it's a junket to try to attract business and sponsorship.

Ex-pats will enjoy it, locals may find it to be a curiosity, but the whole trip is motivated by corporate dollars.  At any rate the shear size of China is a huge opportunity for expanding the game and brining more dollars and sponsorship, considering 0.25% of their population is still lager than our entire population.

 

Was planing on going to see the match, unfortunately the timing is terrible (from a Hong Kong perspective).

[Moonshadow 17,676]

2 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Unless the game's played with a stick or bat ...forget India

After cricket, badminton and football (as in soccer) are apparently the most popular played sport in India. Football is no 2 if combining spectating and playing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_India

[John Crow Batty 8,867]

Been to China over a dozen times and visited all the major cities and most provinces. The AFL is wasting their time. Might have minimal curiosity value. Chinese people with their Buddhist,Taoist and Confucian cultural heritage would be turned off by the violent nature of the game. I don't think they play much if any rugby. They like soccer and basketball for team sports. There are a lot of Chinese in Australia but how many actually play the game? 

Edited May 3, 2017 by america de cali

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,508]

3 minutes ago, america de cali said:

Been to China over a dozen times and visited all the major cities and most provinces. The AFL is wasting their time. Might have minimal curiosity value. Chinese people with their Buddhist,Taoist and Confucian cultural heritage would be turned off by the violent nature of the game. I don't think they play much if any rugby. They like soccer and basketball for team sports. There are a lot of Chinese in Australia but how many actually play the game? 

In addition you are going to struggle to find any suitable outdoor, grasses playing areas.  Basketball, badminton and volleyball all use much smaller areas and have existing infrastructure. Football has always relied on cricket ovals.

[John Crow Batty 8,867]

14 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

In addition you are going to struggle to find any suitable outdoor, grasses playing areas.  Basketball, badminton and volleyball all use much smaller areas and have existing infrastructure. Football has always relied on cricket ovals.

That's true and not much spare land there to waste on a fringe sport. Further countries with closer cultural sporting connections to Australia like New Zealand, UK and Ireland who do have suitable grounds don't care either. If we can't bring the game to them what chance do we have with China? Aussie rules is a lonely sport.

Edited May 3, 2017 by america de cali

[Bitter but optimistic 22,241]

Agree with all the naysayers above.

WOB!

For those not as up to speed with techno talk as Good Old Uncle Bitter - Waste of Bloody Time.

[Diamond_Jim 12,591]

The Chinese money man (sponsor) who is substantially underwriting the costs was/is a partner of Gina Rinehart in the acquisition of a major (massive) tract of rural land in Australia.

Their first attempt to buy the land was rejected on National interests grounds. IIRC the second attempt was approved after a rejigging of the shareholding in the JV vehicle to increase the Australian shareholding.

The game sponsorship was announced between the failed bid and the one that was approved. Not suggesting anything untoward but if a foreigner is trying to curry favour with a government the sponsorship of a major sporting event is a good place to start.

 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Diamond_Jim

[beelzebub 23,378]

22 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

After cricket, badminton and football (as in soccer) are apparently the most popular played sport in India. Football is no 2 if combining spectating and playing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_India

Interesting. Other than wearing some obligatory epl t shirt ive never heard much interest expressed by any Indians ive been in contact with. Cricket... they're nuts. Hockey..proud following. Soccer...comes as a surprise.

Could neved imagine too many Indians ever wanting to get into a game of our footy, let alone play it.

[John Crow Batty 8,867]

14 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The Chinese money man (sponsor) who is substantially underwriting the costs was/is a partner of Gina Rinehart in the acquisition of a major (massive) tract of rural land in Australia.

Their first attempt to buy the land was rejected on National interests grounds. IIRC the second attempt was approved after a rejigging of the shareholding in the JV vehicle to increase the Australian shareholding.

The game sponsorship was announced between the failed bid and the one that was approved. Not suggesting anything untoward but if a foreigner is trying to curry favour with a government the sponsorship of a major sporting event is a good place to start.

 

That's called Guanxi in China. A time honoured technique in China to gain influence by greasing palms for facilitating business interests. No Guanxi, no luck in business Confucius says. And no coindence that Trump had numerous trade makes approved in China just before meeting the Chinese leader. When he was just a joe blow businessman he never had any luck for years.

Edited May 3, 2017 by america de cali

[Bang Bang Bang 5,826]

I'm actually going to this game as I live in Asia and have some time off then. 

Firstly, the game sold out very quickly (the capacity is a mere 11,000 or so). I'll be very interested to see what percentage of the crowd are expats, tourists and diehards and what percentage are locals. I'll hazard a guess that there'll be a very strong majority towards the former.

If 0.01% of China's population take an interest in the game, then that's 130,000 new fans. I can see why the AFL are going down this path, but doubt it will succeed.

[beelzebub 23,378]

The locals will be the ones selling you the Spring Rolls and Beer

[John Crow Batty 8,867]

1 minute ago, Sylvia Saint said:

I'm actually going to this game as I live in Asia and have some time off then. 

Firstly, the game sold out very quickly (the capacity is a mere 11,000 or so). I'll be very interested to see what percentage of the crowd are expats, tourists and diehards and what percentage are locals. I'll hazard a guess that there'll be a very strong majority towards the former.

If 0.01% of China's population take an interest in the game, then that's 130,000 new fans. I can see why the AFL are going down this path, but doubt it will succeed.

Enjoy yourself and gives a report on what happens.

[John Crow Batty 8,867]

2 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

The locals will be the ones selling you the Spring Rolls and Beer

At Etihad stadium prices?

[Leoncelli_36 2,264]

Singapore is one country where i'd look at hosting a game. They love getting on board events held in their country. It's so small that the whole country gets behind it. They have a fantastic new indoor stadium that could host AFL. Plenty of ex pats. Only 7 hours from Melbourne. Clean. Safe. The national football team wears red and blue. 

Edited May 3, 2017 by Leoncelli_36

[hardtack 10,547]

2 hours ago, Sylvia Saint said:

I'm actually going to this game as I live in Asia and have some time off then. 

Firstly, the game sold out very quickly (the capacity is a mere 11,000 or so). I'll be very interested to see what percentage of the crowd are expats, tourists and diehards and what percentage are locals. I'll hazard a guess that there'll be a very strong majority towards the former.

If 0.01% of China's population take an interest in the game, then that's 130,000 new fans. I can see why the AFL are going down this path, but doubt it will succeed.

If the demo game that I went to between the Dees and the Lion's at the same stadium is any indication, the vast majority will be expats and tourists with a few invited local dignitaries.

[Diamond_Jim 12,591]

Cost of $4Million to stage this game

Crowd maximum 11, 000 with minimal tv audience (and probably given to the network for no charge)

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/port-adelaide/china-game-will-leave-no-red-ink-for-power-says-keith-thomas/news-story/956aeddd60ed97a1c8138c050329affd

I'm sure there is a good deal in here for some people but I am sure it is not the AFL

[Sir Why You Little 37,046]

1 minute ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Cost of $4Million to stage this game

Crowd maximum 11, 000 with minimal tv audience (and probably given to the network for no charge)

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/teams/port-adelaide/china-game-will-leave-no-red-ink-for-power-says-keith-thomas/news-story/956aeddd60ed97a1c8138c050329affd

I'm sure there is a good deal in here for some people but I am sure it is not the AFL

Taxation purposes...

[Biffen 12,943]

Jackson has stated we won't play there for all the tea in China.

We couldn't possibly drink that much tea anyway.

[Moonshadow 17,676]

10 minutes ago, Biffen said:

Jackson has stated we won't play there for all the tea in China.

We couldn't possibly drink that much tea anyway.

You'd like high tea Biffen