GOLD Coast will wear its traditional red and gold guernsey - the national colours of China - when it plays Port Adelaide in Shanghai after the Power asked the AFL to rule on dress code for the historic match.

Officially the Power says it does not have a preference but it’s understood in the spirit of its venture in trying to win new fans, the club would rather not play against a team wearing red and gold in China.

Gold Coast’s alternate strip is mostly white and blue, and Port asked the AFL to decide whether it would wear predominantly black and the Suns predominantly white or red.

The uncertainty stemmed from which club has hosting rights after Port Adelaide ‘purchased’ a home game from the Suns in order to take it to China.

Gold Coast is listed first on the AFL’s 2017 fixture and the Suns said they expected to wear their home strip.

The AFL confirmed the two clubs would wear their respective home-and-away strips as per any regular season clash, meaning the Suns will step out in red and gold on May 14.

Gold Coast has worn its traditional red and gold home guernsey in all seven of its meetings with the Power since 2011, regardless of where the game has been played.

media_camera Gold Coast will wear its red and white jumper against Port Adelaide in the historic China game. Picture: Getty Images

By purchasing one of Gold Coast’s home games, Port Adelaide will still retain 11 home games at Adelaide Oval while the Suns will play 10 at Metricon Stadium this year.

The Advertiser understands the partnership between the two clubs has been healthy and productive on all matters and the issue of guernsey colours was left to the league to decide on.

“They are certainly pushing for it (red and gold), they would like to be able to wear that. It’s going to be a decision for the AFL to make,” Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas said afternoon.

“We’re not too fussed either way to be honest, the game is much more significant than that small issue.

“If you think about what we’re trying to do - we’re trying to build a community who has very little knowledge of our game or our club, they’re pretty keen on Australia, but the game is still building in their world.

“We think we’ve got a big job to do there, hopefully the Gold Coast will play their part.

“Right now we’re focused on getting the stadium right and making sure there’s going to be a great experience for everyone who goes there.”

media_camera Gold Coast’s colours are the same as China’s. Picture: Tim Marsden

The historic clash in China will be played in Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium in round eight and the guernsey issue was not considered high on the Power’s priorities as it addresses logistics and preparing the stadium.

The match comes after more than two years of work by Port Adelaide in conjunction with the AFL and SA Government to take a game to China, after the Power struck a broadcast rights deal to show AFL football in the country last season.

More than 4000 ticket registrations for the game have been made by fans in Australia and tickets will officially go on sale by the end of this month.

All ticketing information will be available at portadelaidefc.com.au

Originally published as Suns to wear China colours against Power