Port Adelaide is close to securing a deal to play a pre-season game in the Chinese city of Macau. Source: AP
PORT Adelaide is closer to playing a pre-season game in China next year — and opening new sponsorship deals in the lucrative Chinese market.
The Power is considering two venues on the casino-driven Chinese island of Macau for a pre-season game that will put Port ahead of two AFL rivals — in particular Greater Western Sydney — in finding a new source of corporate money outside the increasingly crowded Australian market.
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"We're thinking outside the square — and we need to such so that we can differentiate ourselves," Port president David Koch said from China yesterday.
"We've worked our 'central corridor' strategy in Central Australia from Adelaide to Darwin and now there is Melbourne and Essendon there as well. We have to find somewhere with clean air — and China offers that."
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Port's board — with every director paying for their travel — met in Hong Kong during last week's bye to work through a strategy session.
The Power business lunch in Hong Kong — that returned a profit — not only opened connections to some of China's business leaders but reaffirmed Port's interest in taking a pre-season game to South-East Asia.
"This is a very good market for us," Koch told The Advertiser.
Travis Boak could be leading Port Adelaide out in a pre-season game in China. Source: Getty Images
"Just in Hong Kong there is the second-largest ex-pat group of Australians; second to London."
Port is now waiting for AFL approval for a venue in Macau. The first stadium proposed for the pre-season game is not meeting league requirements.
"But there is another — half an hour away from Macau's centre — that meets the AFL's minimum standards and can host 10,000 people," Koch said.
"As a club we are very interested in playing a pre-season game in Macau next year. The sponsors of the game are very keen. Now we have to wait on the AFL to weigh up which venue is best for the game.
"On the sponsorship this game offers, we're ready to go."
Port's new China theme advances Koch's intent to broaden the Power from its traditional "5015 postcode" to be a national and now international brand. Port's new joint major sponsor, Energy Australia, has its headquarters in Hong Kong.
The other major sponsor is French car manufacturer, Renault.
View of Macau at dusk. Picture: Edmon Leong Source: Supplied
The rebirth of the Power's corporate strength is coupled with Port having record membership of 53,007 — and closing within 500 on hometown rival Adelaide's count that has always lead in the SA market.
"That is what Adelaide Oval has done for us," Koch said. "For our members, Adelaide Oval feels like home — they left AAMI Stadium to come home to Adelaide Oval.
"For all the controversy created by the Adelaide Oval debate, there is no doubt now that this is the best decision ever made for the SA economy. When Fremantle declares it had 30 sponsors come to Adelaide — and they turned the trip into more than a football game by visiting the Barossa — after hardly any would be here for a game at AAMI Stadium, we know tourism in SA will be boosted by AFL games at Adelaide Oval.
"That is music to my ears."
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