THE AFL’s abandoned China game will be replaced by a twilight slot on Queen's Birthday eve at Marvel Stadium.
As the coronavirus continues to spread, the league will today announce Port Adelaide and St Kilda are set to clash on Sunday, June 7.
The opening bounce is set for late afternoon.
Both sides will now take their byes a week earlier in what will be an eight-game Round 11.
Under the Shanghai arrangement, the Saints were paid to host the Power as the home team.
But with that deal now obviously off the table, St Kilda faces a fight to minimise the hit to it’s bottom line against a traditionally low-drawing interstate side.
A romantic return to Moorabbin was ruled out given the next phase of construction is due to start after the AFLW season.
Cairns’ Cazalys Stadium was thrust forward as an option, with AFL Cairns, Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council pushing hard to secure the fixture.
But with the Saints looking to build momentum with a glut of home games at their favourite venue, Marvel Stadium got the nod.
The club will now work feverishly to promote the fixture.
The St Kilda bean counters will be hoping a Sunday twilight game the day before a public holiday can pull a healthy attendance in what will be their ninth game at Marvel Stadium in 11 matches.
