AS THE AFL bandwagon prepares to roll into Shanghai, the pioneers of the code's first foray into games for premiership points overseas insist they haven't forgotten about New Zealand.
St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis has revealed a game in Auckland as early as next year – but more likely the year after – remains a possibility.
"Certainly there is a lot of enthusiasm within Auckland to play AFL football from either late-2018 or certainly 2019, if they can secure the stadium reconfiguration that they're looking to receive," Finnis told AFL.com.au this week.
Despite the new focus on China, the League insists it remains committed to the Saints' Kiwi ambitions.
"We've obviously played a number of games in New Zealand and St Kilda football club have led that, we're looking at continuing that potentially in Auckland," AFL fixture boss Travis Auld said.
"There are some discussions going on there at the moment, but that's a two or three-year lead-in by the time you find the right venue and do what needs to be done to make that happen."
Auckland Stadiums' director Paul Nisbett confirmed discussions have been taking place with both the AFL and St Kilda.
"Those discussions included the proposed redevelopment of Western Springs into an oval sports facility catering for cricket, AFL and other events," Nisbett told AFL.com.au.
"The possible redevelopment is in its early stages, but there is a strong desire to accommodate AFL as part of Auckland's event programme in future years."
The 30,000-capacity Western Springs Stadium currently hosts club rugby union, but also doubles as a speedway with the turf area surrounded by an outer dirt track.
St Kilda played three Anzac Day games for premiership points in Wellington from 2013 to 2015.
The experiment was abandoned after the Wellington City Council declined to extend its sponsorship for the game beyond the initial three-year period.
Since then the Saints have turned their attention to Auckland and are waiting for a stadium upgrade.
"The noises from across the ditch, particularly out of Auckland, have been very encouraging in recent times but ultimately they need to resolve the stadium redevelopment opportunity that they're looking to do," Finnis said.
"That's progressing but it’s not definitive yet."
Finnis still believes New Zealand is an untapped market.
"We certainly still consider that as a potential secondary market, which hasn't been given the full opportunity to reveal the strength that that can have yet," he said.
Port Adelaide and Gold Coast are scheduled to play in Shanghai on Sunday week.
The AFL has signaled another game will be played in China next year.
The addition of a game in Auckland could see two international games played for premiership points in the one season for the first time.
