PORT Adelaide returned home from China with a thumping round 11 win over St Kilda but so much more happened in the AFL's third successive year of staging games in Shanghai.
The Power touched down on the Wednesday before the match, while the Saints arrived the following day.
Award-winning photographer Michael Willson flew across and documented the trip.
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The Shanghai Cup featured 19 teams from across Asia, with junior and open-age competitors alike battling it out at Wellington College. This particular youngster was caught in a pose made famous by one of his Tigers brethren: Jack Dyer.
Mouthguards have long been an essential part of the protective wear sported by footballers but perhaps this youngster's decision to wear goggles could become ubiquitous? In any case, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan seems to approve.
Music was pumping while plenty of food and drink were available on a warm day as many enjoyed the fun-filled vibe. Don't be mistaken though, there were certainly some impressive athletes running around in games that became quite willing at times.
Another who caught the eye at the Shanghai Cup was Evan Spargo. He grew up in Melbourne and is half-Filipino and half-Australian. Upon finishing university, Spargo wen to live in the Philippines, but that hasn't stopped him from playing footy. Representing the AFL Asia Lions in the Shanghai Cup, Spargo also spends his time playing rugby sevens Philippines and represented the Philippines in the 2017 Southast Asian Games.
The Chinese were given an experience of Aboriginal culture from Yellaka performers at a gala dinner the night before the Saints and Power clash.
It wasn't all smooth-sailing for the Power. At a training session, Port co-captain Tom Jonas required stitches after being cut open. He was fine though and was once again, proved to be rock-solid in defence.
Local media sought to cover the match. St Kilda captain Jarryn Geary was on hand with Travis Boak, who is no longer Power skipper but spoke in the absence of Jonas, after the hard-nosed defender suffered a minor head wound earlier that day.
There was plenty of chatter about whether Port Adelaide assistant coach Michael Voss would pursue a senior job. North Melbourne and Carlton are looking to fill vacancies and while Voss conceded he wanted to return to that position after previously having led Brisbane, his focus remained intently on his current club.
Forget coming on to the field via a race, how's this for an entrance? Adelaide Arena at Jiangwan Stadium offers a unique scene for football, and it's been lapped up by Port, which moved to 3-0 at the venue after its 70-point drubbing of St Kilda.
Widely lauded for remarkably coming back from three bouts of surgery for a severe right thigh corkie in just 43 days, Geary's day was soured further when he fractured his left leg during the final term in a rundown tackle laid by Port young gun Connor Rozee.
Football being played when temperatures hit the high-20s is normally a scene seen only during the pre-season but the Saints and Power sweated it out under the Shanghai sun. Rapidly improving ruckman Rowan Marshall wasn't immune, despite being best-afield for his side.
After a virtuoso outing to dominate St Kilda, star midfielder Travis Boak was congratulated for his efforts by Gui Guojie, a businessman who has had significant involvement in supporting the AFL holding games in China.
