The 2025 Australian Football League (AFL) season is set to kick off tonight, March 7, with thrilling anticipation as the Sydney Swans, now helmed by new head coach Dean Cox, square off against Hawthorn at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This clash marks the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying season of football, broadcast live and free on the Seven Network.
Fans can expect exceptional commentary with the addition of seasoned AFL experts, Kane Cornes and GWS GIANTS Captain Toby Greene, to the already stellar lineup. Alongside them will be football personalities James Brayshaw, Alister Nicholson, Abbey Holmes, Dale Thomas, and Matthew Richardson who will keep the viewers engaged with their insights throughout the match. Xander McGuire will also be on hand to deliver breaking news updates directly from the field during the game.
Gary O’Keeffe, the Seven Network’s Head of AFL and Sport Integration, expressed enthusiasm for the anticipated season: "Over the off-season, our team has worked hard to bring together football’s best minds to showcase unrivalled analysis, calling, and match action live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport. We cannot wait to get underway with Opening Round this weekend and what could be more exciting than Dean Cox leading the Swans as head coach for the first time in front of a packed SCG?"
Tonight’s opening match not only signifies the start of the AFL season but also the beginning of new shows catering to devoted footy fans. Seven has announced the rollout of several new programs, including The Agenda Setters, Unfiltered, Extra Time, Sunday Footy Feast, The Wash Up, and Kane’s Call, all set to launch from Monday, March 10. Caroline Wilson is slated to join Seven’s commentary team as a panelist on The Agenda Setters, sharing the screen with familiar faces like Craig Hutchison, Nick Riewoldt, Dale Thomas, and Luke Hodge.
"We’re thrilled to officially welcome star recruit Kane Cornes for his first match day appearance alongside GWS GIANTS Captain, Toby Greene, who makes a special guest appearance this Friday night," O’Keeffe added, highlighting their commitment to providing innovative commentary. Throughout the season, additional guest appearances for expert commentary will feature other prominent players such as Scott Pendlebury.
Tomorrow, the excitement continues with the GWS GIANTS taking on Collingwood at ENGIE Stadium, showcasing the AFL’s dynamic energy and drawing massive audiences across Australia. Viewers will have multiple channels for watching these live events, with different broadcast times depending on their location. Fans across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia can catch every game involving teams from their home states, ensuring no one misses any action.
Adding to the viewing experience, audiences can also look forward to the documentary Full Sweat, which provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Hawthorn’s pre-season. This documentary, along with live match coverage, aims to deepen fans' engagement with the sport.
A reflective look at the broadcasting schedule reveals even more exciting matchups. Seven is set to air matches on 23 Thursday nights, 24 Friday nights, and 25 Sunday afternoons, likewise showing games on five Sunday evenings, plus all finals matches later this season. The celebrated Brownlow Medal and the AFL Grand Final will also be exclusive to Seven and 7plus Sport, creating even greater anticipation for AFL followers nationwide.
Football fans should mark their calendars, as the prime-time lineup is as follows: Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn will commence at 7:30 PM AEDT, with pre-game coverage kicking off at 7:00 PM. For the GWS GIANTS matchup, the pre-game will begin at 2:30 PM on March 9, leading right to the exciting match scheduled for 3:00 PM, ensuring all games are accessible at optimal viewing times.
With so many viewing options and engaging new content on the horizon, the 2025 AFL season on Seven and 7plus Sport signals to fans both new and old to indulge thoroughly. Set to bring the action live and uninterrupted, there’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the AFL community.