The risk of smog means Gold Coast could make changes to their team for the historic AFL match against Port Adelaide in Shanghai.

Hot conditions are forecast for next Sunday’s match, the first AFL game outside Australia or New Zealand for premiership points.

Suns coach Rodney Eade added that the travel is proving a challenge, with some players not flying in business class.

He said the lack of a direct flight means from stepping on the bus to Brisbane airport until they arrive in Shanghai, the Suns will travel for 20 to 21 hours.

“That smog you talk about, hopefully there are no respiratory problems,” Eade told Triple M.

“We won’t take any players who have asthma or some respiratory problems anyway.”

Eade said the Suns would know about any team changes on Tuesday, but would not specify which players might be affected.

“We’ll keep that quiet and see how it goes,” he said.

Eade initially bit his tongue when asked about the trip, but admitted it would be a logistical challenge.

“I have to (toe) the political line, don’t I – ‘we’re looking forward to it’,” he said.

“It’s great for the game, to be able to play away and all those sorts of things.

“Just, you can’t get a direct flight there.”

One benefit for the Suns is they have the bye after the Shanghai game.

“It is going to be (difficult) and not many players are in business, exit rows, all those sorts of things,” Eade said.

“That’s probably more my concern, the preparation for players, and even coming back as well, even though we have the bye.”

Former coach Paul Roos, now a commentator for TripleM, was stunned that some players might end up in economy for the flight.

“That is extraordinary – unbelievable. That is ridiculous,” he said.