Port Adelaide will face Gold Coast on Saturday at Shanghai's Jiangwan Stadium for the AFL's second annual China game.
* How did the teams prepare?
Port Adelaide arrived on Tuesday and held their main training session on Wednesday. The Power brought some of their own food among 600kg of luggage, while club nutritionists consulted with chefs at the team hotel to ensure players receive the right fare. Gold Coast arrived Tuesday night and trained on Thursday. Their flight time came in slightly longer at about 15 hours, although all players flew business class. Both teams have a bye next week.
* How are the conditions?
The weather in Shanghai has been predictably hot and humid but unlike last year, there's been no concerns about smog, sandstorms or other potential disasters. The temperature is set to fall to a much more pleasant 24C on Saturday with some rain.
* Are the big guns set to play?
Gold Coast remain without injured spearhead Tom Lynch (knee) but co-captain Steven May is free to play after the tribunal handed him a fine rather than a suspension for making contact with an umpire. Port have named an unchanged side from last week's Showdown victory, meaning stars Robbie Gray, Chad Wingard, Ollie Wines and Paddy Ryder will all line up.
* What has the interest been like?
Pretty strong. The AFL are forecasting a sellout crowd of about 11,000. About half are expected to be Shanghai natives, although the local contingent was fairly light on last year when the Power drubbed the Suns by 72 points. There's also set to be a record television crowd for an AFL game with the match broadcast on free-to-air channels in three major Chinese cities.
* Anything else different?
Not really. Players have been posing for selfies with fans, attending supporter functions and meeting local dignitaries. There has been a strong Aussie theme throughout the week - both teams held light training sessions on Friday with songs by Tina Arena, Midnight Oil and Powderfinger blasted across the stadium. Officials have meanwhile been setting out thousands of cushions to provide a bit more comfort for punters.
