Gold Coast remain unsure whether they want to commit again to the AFL venture in Shanghai.
Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said the club had found it difficult preparing for Sunday's historic game against Port Adelaide and their board will discuss the issue.
Port Adelaide counterpart David Koch countered that other clubs and state governments had shown interest.
"We very much appreciate being asked in the inaugural year," Cochrane said.
"But it has really stretched us from a resource point of view."
Koch said he would love Gold Coast to remain their Shanghai opponent, while noting Port were open to other offers.
"I am open to sharing it around," Koch said.
"If they (Suns) would like to put their hand in the ring to be an opponent ... make it long-term, we're very open to it."
Cochrane and Suns chief executive Mark Evans praised Port for the Shanghai initiative at a Friday morning media conference - but Evans also wants to reconsider the deal.
"We've only had a short time to be involved, some of that has been difficult for us," Evans said.
"I would think if there's an opportunity here for Gold Coast to come back ... then we could be a proper partner at the table and do a lot more."
After trading barbs over the last few weeks about the Suns wearing their red and yellow home jumper for the match, Koch and Cochrane sat side-by-side at the media conference and traded jokes.
"See we're back in love," Cochrane said.
"We stopped dating momentarily."
But Cochrane passionately defended Gold Coast's right to wear their jumper in what Port sold to them as a Suns home game.
"We don't really have a lot," Cochrane said.
"But we do have our jumper and our jumper, believe it or not, means as much to us as it does to Collingwood, as it does to Essendon, as it does to a club that started at Alberton Oval nearly 150 years ago.
"So that's not something you give up easily and it's certainly never, ever, ever for sale while I'm chairman."
Koch also stood by his threat at the height of his spat with Cochrane over "jumpergate" that Port could ensure the Suns are not invited back to the game.
"They (the AFL) are our joint venture partner in this, so each of the partners in the venture can make a decision on it," Koch said.
While pleased with how the push into China was going, the success of Sunday's game is crucial.
"We want to make this a bucket-list, marquee event for every AFL fan, no matter who you support - to come to China," Koch said.
AFL clubs manager Travis Auld announced that a deal had finally been reached with CCTV to broadcast the game live into China.
Share
