Gold Coast Suns coach Damien Hardwick has called on the AFL to rethink scheduling after his team's pre-season was plagued by injuries. During Friday night's clash against the Sydney Swans, his side lost key player Mac Andrew within the first ten seconds due to a heavy collision with Taylor Adams. This unfortunate start laid the groundwork for what would become a challenging night for the Suns, as fellow teammates Charlie Ballard, David Swallow, and Lachie Weller also succumbed to injuries.
The Swans did not come out unscathed either, with standout midfielder Errol Gulden suffering a fractured ankle during the first quarter. His left ankle took the brunt of the injury after getting caught beneath Will Graham during a tackle. Visibly distressed, Gulden could not continue, prompting immediate medical attention.
On Saturday afternoon, the Swans confirmed the severity of Gulden's injury, stating he would undergo surgery on Sunday, though no recovery timeline was offered. He is expected to be sidelined for several months, raising concerns about the Swans' depth as they gear up for their 2025 campaign, set to begin against the Hawthorn Hawks at the SCG next Friday night.
"We have to get a bit more serious and it's hard, because round zero takes place and then some teams have two weeks off," said Hardwick, highlighting the peculiarities of the AFL scheduling. "Sydney can't get home tonight and they play next Friday, they're stuck here. We just have to get this scheduling sorted out. They have one job, the AFL, let's get it sorted out." His plea underlines the tightrope many teams walk as they prepare for the competitive season.
Meanwhile, the Swans will potentially miss their captain, Callum Mills, who has also been ruled out for the start of the season with scans indicating he has suffered from a torn plantar fascia. Injuries appear to be rampant facing other clubs as well, with the Bulldogs losing Marcus Bontempelli for at least six weeks and the Tigers set to be without Dion Prestia. This pre-season has already dealt heavy blows to hopeful campaigns.
Adding to the narrative of pre-season hurdles, the North Melbourne Kangaroos faced challenges of their own as their team bus reportedly got lost following directions after leaving Busselton. Officials expressed grave concerns over their ability to arrive on time for their match, humorously commenting on the difficulty of traversing the newly constructed Bunbury Bypass.
A spokesperson for the Roos stated, "Whether they’ll be able to get back to Bunbury in time remains unknown. The traffic on the Wilman Wadandi Highway is pretty thick still. This has put the entire pre-season match at risk." While the road situation has left fans and officials alike anxious, it adds to the myriad issues complicate this year’s pre-season.
On the ground, the surrounding community has engaged with some humor about the situation. A WA Government spokesperson advised residents of Bunbury to “hold it together” during the pre-season clash of West Coast against North Melbourne. Their playful reminder emphasized the unique nature of Bunbury’s nightlife when challenged by the ‘watchful eye’ of the VFL media. “Bunbury, you know we love you. You’re like... fun uncle who doesn’t have their shit together and passes out in his own birthday cake.”
Such quips have not sat particularly well with local residents, with some responding sarcastically to the Government's appeal for good behavior, stressing their focus on local issues rather than off-field antics. “If they wanted good behavior, they’d set up tyre spikes at the base of the hill so Collie residents couldn’t come down,” remarked one Bunbury local, capturing the spirit of the community's lively character.
Despite the traveling woes and scheduling complaints, the focus for franchises remains on preparing for the upcoming season. Coaches are eyeing their lineups, hoping to rally injured players and find reliable strategies as the competition draws near. It remains to be seen how these pre-season mishaps might reshape the teams' trajectories as the clock ticks down to the first match day.
With significant injuries and logistical challenges directly impacting team performance, this pre-season has been anything but straightforward. It has raised important discussions about scheduling practices within the AFL and the support systems required to maintain player welfare and team integrity.
Even community actions highlight the need for extended dialogue about the pre-season experience, not just for the clubs involved but also for local neighborhoods playing host to these high-stakes events. The audience eagerly anticipates the games, hoping for uplifting victories rather than hearsay about unable to navigate roads or struggling with injury-plagued lineups.
What the future holds remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure—the pre-season drama will ready fans and teams for anything come March 7 when the whistle finally blows for the Opening Round.