It was a proud day for the Mailman Group on Sunday the 17th of October as the past 4 months of online promotion via Chinese social channels culminated in a grand performance. Our objective was to communicate the benefits of AFL football to a local Chinese community, with our ultimate goal of having tickets purchased online via a Chinese ticketing agent. Read below an exert from a press story featured nationally in Australia.The Video featured on ABC News tellls the story: —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MELBOURNE kicked the last six goals of the game to ensure a thrilling finish to the AFL’s first ever match held in China on Sunday.
High-leaping forward Liam Jurrah kicked a goal on the siren to give the Demons a five-point victory over the Brisbane Lions in front of an estimated crowd of 7100 in Shanghai.
Melbourne trailed by 26 points at three-quarter time before winning what has been dubbed the Shanghai Showdown 12.12 (84) to 11.13 (79).
The match was broadcast live in Mandarin and English to a large viewing audience in the Shanghai region on International Channel Shanghai and Great Sports Channel.
Jurrah kicked five goals in warm conditions at Jiangwan Stadium, including the last three goals of the match.
The Lions kicked five goals to two in the third quarter and appeared to have the game won at the final change.
Ruckman Jake Spencer started the comeback, booting a fine goal on the run from 50 metres.
His effort helped swing the momentum and when teammates Jamie Bennell and Colin Sylvia quickly followed up, it was game on.
Enter Jurrah, who took two hangers before converting, giving Melbourne a memorable victory in the middle of its 14-day tour of China.
His match-winning grab brought the enthusiastic crowd to its feet.
Aside from Jurrah’s best-on-ground performance, defender Clint Bartram was tenacious in defence and Sylvia provided some explosive passages of play.
For the Lions, youngster Tom Rockliff was a standout with three goals, while rookies Josh Dyson and Clay Beams also impressed.
A classy Amon Buchanan goal from the boundary was also a highlight.
Both sides went in without several key players: Melbourne was without Brad Green, Aaron Davey and James Frawley; while Jonathan Brown, Simon Black and Brendan Fevola were absent for the Lions.
Melbourne was captained by Brent Moloney and the Lions were led by Jed Adcock.
The crowd was a mix of Australian-based supporters, expatriates and locals.
AFL development manager David Matthews said the code’s first foray into the world’s most populous nation would not be its last.
“Today’s match was a fantastic exhibition of Australian football in front of a very enthusiastic and big crowd which exceeded our expectations,” Matthews said.
“There’s no doubt we would play another game in China and we will work with our partners and AFL clubs to make that happen.”
Melbourne 1.4 4.7 6.9 12.12 (84) Brisbane Lions 3.5 5.8 10.11 11.13 (79)
GOALS Melbourne: Jurrah, 5, Morton 2, Sylvia 2, Bennell, Jamar, Spencer Brisbane Lions: Beams 3, Rockliff 3, Dyson 2, Buchanan, Harwood, Rich
BEST Melbourne: Jurrah, Bartram, Newton, Sylvia, Dunn Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Dyson, Beams, Merrett, Rich
Crowd: approx 7100
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL. This story was featured on afl.com.au
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Thank you to everyone involved and help making the event such a success.