Robert Kennedy: There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask, 'Why?' I dream of things that never were, and ask, 'Why not?'

On 17 November 2010, the Herald Sun wrote an article titled, AFL wants to go global. The article reports on AFL supremo, Andrew Demetriou addressing the AFL’s industry conference and “daring” to forecast AFL matches being played overseas for premiership points – and the return of the Shanghai Showdown next year.

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou today revealed the prospect of playing overseas home-and-away games was being seriously considered by the league commission.

“Imagine the scene when one day in the not too distant future we play the first ever match overseas for premiership points,” Demetriou said.

“It could be Shanghai. It could be Mumbai. It could be Los Angeles. Wherever it is, when that day comes we’ll know our game has taken yet another great leap forward.”

Demetriou floated the plan at today’s AFL industry conference on the Gold Coast attended by more than 400 league and club officials.

“This conference is all about daring to take these kinds of leaps. Daring to challenge old ideas with new ones. Daring to be bold and innovative. Daring to dream,” he said.

“As US Senator Robert Kennedy, once said: There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask, ‘Why?’ I dream of things that never were, and ask, ‘Why not?’ “.

“As Kennedy knew only too well, change isn’t easy. It takes vision, courage and leadership. And sometimes it comes at a cost.”

It is expected Melbourne will return to Shanghai for an exhibition match at the end of next season following the success of last month’s clash with Brisbane.