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Despite a tough AFL trip that has included his own ill health, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson backs the club's China deal.
Alan Richardson wasn't in much of a mood to be upbeat about anything.
Probably the only good news for the St Kilda coach on Sunday was that Dan Hannebery made a successful return on Sunday in the VFL and top draft pick Max King had another good hit-out in the same game.
Other than that, Richardson has probably enjoyed better overseas trips.
After Blake Acres was ruled out on Friday with a virus, Richardson and several other players also fell ill a day out from their first China game.
Then the spirit and resilience that have marked the Saints this season disappeared as Port Adelaide mauled them by 70 points in Shanghai.
If that wasn't enough disaster, captain Jarry Geary duly went down in the last term with a suspected fracture in his left leg.
It was his first game back after nearly two months out because of surgery that left a gruesome scar on his right upper leg.
So - is Richardson a fan of playing in China?
"I am a fan - it's hard to ask when you've just copped a bit of a touch-up from the opposition," Richardson said.
"You're not quite in the mood to talk positively about anything.
"But the guys really embraced the trip, our footy club has embraced the whole opportunity that China gives.
"There was a real want and drive to make it succeed (in the football department) and we know we haven't lived up to our end of the bargain.
"We will be embracing this opportunity for the years to come."
But the nightmare trip will likely fuel the sceptics among the Saints faithful.
Richardson was asked what he would say to Saints fans who question the merits of playing in China.
"It doesn't matter where you play," he said.
"If you turn up and don't give terrific effort and don't commit fully, particularly when the opposition does, then you're going to get badly beaten."
Richardson expected an immediate rebound from his players after the bye, when they have a crucial game in Townsville against Gold Coast.
"I would be really surprised and equally disappointed if we didn't respond next time we play," he said.