The AFL has officially postponed the two Opening Round games scheduled for Queensland due to the severe weather threat posed by Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The season's opening clash between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats, which was planned for Thursday night at the Gabba, along with Saturday's match between the Gold Coast Suns and Essendon at People First Stadium, has been called off as strong winds and heavy rains are forecast to hit the region.
Originally slated to begin at 6:50 p.m. on Thursday, the game between the Lions and Cats marked the start of the 2025 season and was expected to draw significant attendance. Tropical Cyclone Alfred, currently positioned off the southeast Queensland coast, is anticipated to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday morning, with rainfall predictions of up to 700mm and winds exceeding 130km/h across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon expressed the league's concerns for the safety of players, officials, and fans. "The priority is to do everything we can to guarantee the health and safety of everyone in and around any potential cyclone zone," Dillon stated, emphasizing the need for communities to prepare adequately. He added, "We don't want our games to be a distraction to those preparations."
The decision to postpone the matches was made after consultations with Queensland Government officials, the Bureau of Meteorology, and Stadiums Queensland. Dillon said the decision was necessary to allow the community and the players ample time to secure their homes and families. He remarked, "It is very uncertain, and our thoughts are with everyone who may be impacted."
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan described the postponement as the "logical" choice, stating, "It’s just a game of football. The safety of family and friends, plus staff and fans is the top priority. I've seen the carnage cyclones can cause, so I’m not too enthusiastic about proceeding under such conditions."
Geelong coach Chris Scott echoed his sentiments, expressing concern over when the league should hold discussions about rescheduling. "It reminds me of the COVID situation. It's alarming to discuss when we should play football when people are busy sandbagging their houses."
With these postponements, the AFL's Opening Round will begin with only two matches, with Sydney hosting Hawthorn on Friday night and Greater Western Sydney facing Collingwood on Sunday. The league plans to announce the new schedule for the rescheduled matches as soon as possible. The Brisbane vs. Geelong game is likely to be played during round three, when both teams are scheduled for byes. Finding a suitable date for the Gold Coast vs. Essendon match, on the other hand, poses more of a challenge, as the teams do not share byes.
The situation marks the first time since 1963 the V/AFL has postponed games due to weather conditions, when heavy rains led to the delay of fixtures for the entire round. The current weather forecast has prompted other sporting leagues to cancel events, and officials from various local sports have also taken precautionary measures for community safety.
The AFL is committed to ensuring safety amid this potential crisis. Dillon remarked, "We want to give clubs and fans certainty around their schedules so they can plan and prepare for this unpredictable situation and have their loved ones nearby." The league also encouraged fans to retain their tickets for the postponed matches, assuring them they will be valid for the rescheduled dates.
Only time will tell how Tropical Cyclone Alfred will impact the region, but for now, the AFL has responded proactively to protect its players, patrons, and the wider communities at stake. Fans are advised to stay vigilant and take appropriate safety measures as the cyclone approaches the Queensland coast.