PORT Adelaide has maintained its Shanghai supremacy, downing Gold Coast by 40 points in a wet-weather slog at Jiangwan Stadium.
The Suns fought hard to deliver an improved performance from their drubbing in last year's inaugural China game but were no match for the resurgent Power. Port's 11.16 (82) to 6.6 (42) victory on Saturday lifts them to fourth on the ladder.
SHANGHAI SLOG Full match coverage and stats
Champion midfielder Robbie Gray was quiet after slotting six goals in last week's Showdown triumph, but the Power had no shortage of contributors with skipper Travis Boak (28 disposals, seven clearances) awarded the Shanghai Medal as best-afield.
Officials had been expecting a sellout crowd of about 11,000 fans and came close to hitting that number with an official attendance of 10,689.
Persistent showers throughout the day most likely had an impact, with the temperature dropping from the high 30s earlier in the week to just 21 degrees.
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Port's inaccuracy in front of goal and the fact Gold Coast only managed two majors after quarter-time were sour notes.
There was still plenty of enthusiasm among the travelling fans and curious locals, as Suns skipper Steven May shook hands with Port counterpart Travis Boak before the two teams ran onto the ground through a shared banner.
The camaraderie didn't last long.
Port agitator Sam Powell-Pepper and Suns midfielder Ben Ainsworth were in each other's faces early and were involved in scuffles off the ball throughout the game. A high bump from Powell-Pepper is likely to earn him match review scrutiny.
WATCH: Powell-Pepper kicks a goal off his back
A late replacement for Jack Martin (illness), Suns veteran Matt Rosa had the distinction of scoring the first goal - a classy drop punt from a tight angle on the boundary.
But the Power quickly snapped into action, scoring the next three goals through Chad Wingard, Sam Gray and Tom Rockliff.
Gold Coast teenager Jacob Heron, who joined the exclusive group of players to make his AFL debut outside of Australia, then slotted a goal with his first kick, as the Power closed out an entertaining first quarter with a three-point lead.
WATCH: Heron joins an exclusive club
If the first term showed glimpses of the game the AFL would like to show to the world, it would be a stretch to say the same of the remaining three quarters.
Each team managed just one goal in the second term and the game descended into a contested scrap.
"It was a really frustrating day for everyone," Port coach Ken Hinkley said.
"It was a tough day and, to our credit, we just kept slogging it out."
The Suns went a man down late in the second quarter, as Rosa succumbed to a hamstring injury, while Nick Holman copped a blow to the head in the fourth quarter.
Ruckman Jarrod Witts stood tall for the Suns, getting the better of counterpart Paddy Ryder with 43 hit-outs and 12 clearances.
"We're certainly proud of their effort ... we just couldn't endure in the last quarter," Suns coach Stuart Dew said.
"Really at times, we've got so much to work on because we're our own worst enemy."
MEDICAL ROOM
Gold Coast: Jack Martin was a late withdrawal after waking up suffering the effects of a tummy bug, he was replaced in the side by Matt Rosa who suffered a hamstring injury during the game.
Port Adelaide: Riley Bonner received treatment for an ankle injury in the first quarter, but managed to play out the game, while defender Tom Jonas finished the game with ice applied to his right shin in the last quarter.
NEXT UP
Both sides have the bye next week to recover from the long trek to Shanghai, but after a week off, the Suns finally return to Metricon Stadium where they will face Geelong. Port Adelaide also face a tough task, travelling to Tasmania to take on Hawthorn.
GOLD COAST 4.2 5.3 6.6 6.6 (42)
PORT ADELAIDE 5.5 6.10 8.14 11.16 (82)
GOALS
Gold Coast: Rosa, Heron, Witts, Weller, Bowes, Miller
Port Adelaide: Powell-Pepper 2, Wingard 2, S.Gray 2, Rockliff, Boak, Dixon, Wines, Watts
BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Witts, Harbrow, May, Hall, Miller
Port Adelaide: Boak, Powell-Pepper, Rockliff, Wines, Byrne-Jones
INJURIES
Gold Coast Suns: Jack Martin (illness) replaced by Matt Rosa before the game, Matt Rosa (hamstring)
Port Adelaide: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Leigh Fisher, Jacob Mollison, Nick Foot
Official crowd: 10,689 at Jiangwan Stadium
