GOLD Coast has dismissed threats from Port Adelaide that it won't be invited to play in China beyond 2017.
Following confirmation from the AFL on Monday that the Suns would wear their red guernsey, Port Adelaide fired back, unhappy with the outcome after paying $500,000 to the Suns for the rights to their home game.
"It’s not ideal but this is only a one-year agreement with the Gold Coast," Power CEO Keith Thomas warned.
Speaking on Tuesday, Gold Coast CEO Mark Evans said both clubs needed to focus on making the game a great event and "we'll evaluate after this year what occurs from there".
Tensions between the clubs rose when Port chairman David Koch said earlier in the year that "it'll be the last time we'll ever play you (Gold Coast) in China" if the decision went the way it has.
But Evans is unfazed.
"I've spoken to Keith Thomas and said he needs to pass on to all the people at his club that we've committed to make this a great event," Evans said.
"There's so many logistical challenges to make sure that event will go smoothly … there's a lot more work to be done there.
"We're committed to deliver the best event we can and work out with Port Adelaide and the AFL what the plans are beyond this year."
When asked whether he had reservations about giving up a home game in such a tight season, Evans said "ask me that question in a couple of weeks".
"If you talk to players and coaches about their history and their journey, they'll talk about the special event games," he said.
"They'll talk about playing on Anzac Day, they'll talk about playing a game in London or they'll talk about finals, and this gives us something to put on our rap sheet to say, "we were part of that first ever game outside Australia and New Zealand".
"I look forward to seeing our football players and coaches develop the resilience that needs to go with a project like that."
Suns move on after Port's China 2018 threat
Gold Coast CEO says Suns and Power need to focus on making China game a great event