The Australian Football League "maintains preparations for the Shanghai clash between Port Adelaide and the Gold Coast Suns are on track despite photographs showing there is much work to do," according to Jon Pierik of THE AGE. Photographs supplied by an AFL supporter in Shanghai "show that while the surface is improving, officials will still need to prove it is up to AFL standard." There is no seating in the stands, "but these will be built closer to the round eight match." AFL spokesperson Patrick Keane said, "We are on track for the game in China. All the temporary stands and seating at the ends of the ground and the marquees won't go in until three to four weeks before the game, as per the event-build schedule. All the work so far has been around the playing surface, which is not the full grassed area but the central area. Our staff are very happy with the turf so far." Port Adelaide conducted a "reconnaissance mission in late November." The club maintains that "all preparations are progressing well but directed questions to the AFL when contacted on Wednesday" (THE AGE, 1/25).
