AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league is now looking at an annual game in China as more of an opportunity than a risk.

Port Adelaide will play St Kilda in Shanghai on June 2 in what is the third year of the project, and the first time a Victorian team has been involved.

“Having executed twice, seen the commercial opportunities, the trade opportunities, the partnerships with government up there, the opportunities feel stronger than the risks,” McLachlan said.