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Cyclone Alfred forces AFL to postpone both Queensland Opening Round games
SEN • March 4th, 2025 5:10 pm
The first game of the 2025 AFL season between Brisbane and Geelong and Saturday's Gold Coast v Essendon clash have been postponed due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
According to Seven's Mitch Cleary, the AFL has made the decision to push the Lions v Cats clash at the Gabba back to Round 3, while the Suns v Dons match at People First Stadium is likely to be pushed back much later in the season.
A meeting of Queensland Government officials, emergency response services, the Bureau of Meteorology and weather experts has forced the AFL into making the call.
Queensland premier David Crisafulli spoke to the acute dangers of the situation.
"I've spoken with the NRL as well as the AFL. We're giving them information and, like all Queenslanders, we want them to make the call and we're giving them the most up-to-date information and I'm mindful that there are moving parts," Crisafulli said.
"We've got two AFL games and an NRL game. They're important events for everybody. We give the information and we're asking them to make the call and communicate that directly with their fans and we'll continue to provide information.
"I spoke with the CEO of the Dolphins and the CEO of the Lions again today and we'll do it again as more information comes to hand.
"We're treating them (AFL and NRL matches) as we are with residents. I have every faith. My conversations with the NRL and the AFL tell me two things. One is they're very, very passionate about their sport but the other thing is they're equally passionate about their fans and the area they live and that's a balance they'll make and I've got every faith they'll make the right call."
Geelong coach Chris Scott said earlier in the morning on SEN's Whateley that he had concerns about his club “flying into the eye of a cyclone”.
Brisbane’s reigning premiership coach Chris Fagan also relayed his worries about playing a game of football in these circumstances.
"I'm a people first person," Fagan said.
"It's not a tropical thunderstorm, it's a cyclone. I have never been in one, so I don't know what to expect. But I've seen the carnage they've caused at different periods in Australian history.
"I'm not too keen on the idea of things going ahead if it's going to be like that. It can't, can it?
"The sooner the decision’s made the better."
