Embarrassing reason behind empty seats at AFL China game

Port Adelaide took on St Kilda in China on Sunday afternoon (AEST), but fans quickly noticed there was something amiss at the stadium - there was almost nobody there.

The game, held at Shangai’s Jiangwan Stadium, is underwritten by a Chinese company, which also booked several hundred seats for staff and other guests to attend the game.

Unfortunately, things din’t go to plan.

According to Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch, several buses which had been arranged to ferry hundreds of would-be spectators were sent to the wrong stadium.

“The Shanghai company which underwrites this game has 400 guests and staff members on buses to come to the game,” Lynch reported at half time.

“They were taken to the wrong stadium.

“They’re still on the way, they should be here by three-quarter time, but the major sponsor has sent his guests to the wrong stadium.”

Port Adelaide monster Saints in annual AFL China game

An absolute clinic in goalkicking from Port Adelaide helped them to a thumping win over St Kilda.

The Power were deadeyes in front of goal in the 22.7 (139) to 9.15 (69) victory over the Saints.

Riley Bonner and Robbie Gray booted three goals each for the Power, while the wayward Saints could only rely on Jade Gresham (three goals) as a consistent scoring option.

An already bad trip to China became a disastrous one for the Saints when skipper Jarryn Geary went down with a leg injury.

It was Geary’s first game back from a gruesome thigh injury which required emergency surgery to relieve the pain.

Geary was sent to hospital for x-rays, with the Saints suspecting their captain may have suffered a broken leg.

The Saints dropped to a 5-6 record following their latest loss, while Port Adelaide will return to Australia boasting pride of place in the top eight, with a percentage boost to boot.

Injuries, combined with a lukewarm reception at home and abroad, once again put the annual match in the spotlight.