THE AFL Commission has delayed a decision on whether a game for premiership points will be played in China in 2017 until at least later this month.
At its meeting on Tuesday, the Commission received an update as to how preparations were progressing for the historic game that Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast hope to play in Shanghai next season.
However, AFL.com.au understands further details relating to the stadium and commercial arrangements need to be in place before a decision can be made about whether a game is viable next season.
The AFL Commission next meets on the day of the Brownlow Medal count when a decision might be possible ahead of the release of the fixture at the end of October.
Gold Coast and Port Adelaide put in submissions earlier this year for the game after Port Adelaide president David Koch raised the prospect of a game being played in China.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in April and the Power broadcast matches into China this season.
When the memorandum was signed AFL CEO Gill McLachlan said the AFL would work with Port Adelaide to explore all available options to take a game for premiership points into China, which could be played during a bye round.
Port Adelaide signed an agreement in April with leading Chinese property developer Shanghai CRED and will hold a training camp in the country.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported on Tuesday that Suns' chairman Tony Cochrane was enthusiastic about the fixture.
"Obviously for the Gold Coast with our enormous and growing Chinese connection, we are very keen to be the team that represents AFL in China," Mr Cochrane said.