PORT ADELAIDEÂ
4.4Â Â Â 10.5Â Â Â 13.10 Â Â Â 16.14 Â Â Â (110)
GOLD COASTÂ
1.1 Â Â Â 3.5 Â Â Â 4.9 Â Â Â 4.14 Â Â Â (38)
Shanghai: And history was made. After days of espousing the benefits for football, business and tourism from staging an AFL match for premiership points in China, the reason why we were all here – the game itself – finally arrived.Â
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Power smoke Suns in Shanghai
Port Adelaide have won the historic first-ever competitive AFL match in China, comprehensively defeating Gold Coast 110-38.
Unfortunately for the Gold Coast Suns, it appeared as if they were still suffering from jet lag, for Port Adelaide were a step ahead all afternoon in front of 10,118 at Jiangwan Sports Centre.
On a day when all parties would have wanted a close, tough tussle to help sell the sport, this shaped as a blow-out from early in the second term and was confirmed as such by half-time when the Power surged to a seven-goal lead. It would finish as a rout, the Power maintaining hopes of top-four contention with a 72-point win.
![Charlie Dixon celebrates a goal at Jiangwan Sports Stadium.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170519001537im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/l/g/r/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw4d2z.png/1494771301359.jpg)
The loss leaves the Suns at 3-5 in a year when coach Rodney Eade's future will be determined by his win-loss record. That the Suns would pack their bags complete with their equal third-lowest score in franchise history – having kicked only one goal in the second half – would not help his hopes.
It was also their lowest score against the Power, worse than the 7.5 (47) of round 21, 2014.
Eade and football boss Marcus Ashcroft were clearly stunned as they sat and pondered what had been when the final siren was heard.
In conditions that looked a touch slippery, the Power quickly found their groove, and gave their 5000 supporters who had made the trip to this city of 24 million something to cheer about.
![Brendon Ah Chee, Charlie Dixon, Sam Powell-Pepper and Ollie Wines celebrate in Shanghai.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170519001537im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/4/m/8/t/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gw4d2z.png/1494771301359.jpg)
Security outside the ground was tight with more than 1000 police on hand. Bags were searched and also put through scanning machines. The same tight checking could not be said about the Suns' defence who, admittedly, were under constant pressure because of the Power's quick ball movement.
The clash was scratchy for the most part but the locals in attendance enjoyed back-to-back goals from the Power midway through the second term. The first came when Brendon Ah Chee, trapped on the half-forward line boundary, spun and handballed to Robbie Gray, who handballed over the top of a Sun to an all-alone Jarman Impey who converted.
Justin Westhoff, equally capable of the miraculous as he is at disappearing, had one of his finer moments when he backed up with a "soccer" goal from the right forward pocket.
Eade was true to his word when he sent Steven May to the influential Gray. The dynamic Gray had been in doubt because of ongoing groin and calf issues but his touch was sublime in the first half, booting two goals and assisting in others. Predominantly used in the forward pocket because of his injuries, Gray remained a threat after half-time, and could easily have had another two goals in the third term.
Brett Ebert, skipper Travis Boak, Chad Wingard and Jasper Pittard found plenty of the ball, leaving the Suns to largely scramble for their touches.
Ebert, having fathered a baby boy through the week, would be adjudged best afield for his 30 disposals, including six clearances.
Aaron Hall and Jarrod Harbrow, looking to create, and Michael Barlow, with his typical toughness, were diligent, but Gary Ablett, with 10 disposals to the main break, lacked punch when the contest was at its fiercest. Ablett, after a stunning month, would finish with 29 touches.
Eade's frustration resonated through the thin glass of the coaches' box in the third term, his displeasure at his team's determination to handball from the back-half - rather than kick - palpable.
The inability to find a way through the Power's press meant it was rugged day for Tom Lynch. Branded the best young power forward in the game by Power great Warren Tredrea, Lynch was held goalless by Tom Jonas.
Jack Hombsch and Matthew Broadbent were also strong defensively, helping the Power extend their winning streak against their opponents into a sixth season.
Jack Leslie had the job on dangerous former Sun Charlie Dixon. While Dixon had a modest two goals, his willingness to lead and crash packs ensured there were opportunities for others to pounce.
The Suns were forced into a late change when Rory Thompson strained a hamstring during the warm-ups and was replaced by Keegan Brooksby. The ruckman-turned-defender had been attending a pre-game corporate function when he got the call up.