AFL officials are considering delaying the start of the new season due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is forecast to make landfall near Brisbane around the time of the first bounce in the opener between the Lions and Geelong at the Gabba on Thursday.
Promotion for this week’s opening round begins on Monday with a press conference in Sydney with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon, along with players from the Swans, Giants, Hawthorn and Collingwood who are in action in first-round fixtures in New South Wales.
Sydney’s meeting with the Hawks on Friday may end up being the first match of the season if Alfred continues on its forecast path.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said his organisation would continue to be in communication with government and the Bureau of Meteorology in coming days. “We have contingencies, and there are options with byes and the like. But at the moment, the game is scheduled for Thursday night,” he said.
The Lions and Cats both have a bye in round three, and the opening match could be shifted into that weekend if this week’s clash is postponed.
An information bulletin issued by the BOM on Monday morning confirmed Alfred has strengthened to a category 2. Such a system making landfall would involve destructive winds and cause damage to houses, signs, trees and caravans with a risk of power failure, and with gusts above 125km/h.
Dillon said the league’s priority is to keep fans and players safe. “With a potential cyclone, it’s the winds that are probably the biggest issue, we play in rain all the time but ultimately it’s what’s safe for our players and absolutely our fans as well,” Dillon said.
The BOM’s latest bulletin warns “severe coastal hazards are likely for southern Queensland and northern New South Wales coasts” in coming days and that “landfall is most likely on Thursday or early Friday, with the favoured scenario placing it along the southeast Queensland or far northern New South Wales coast”. Up to 40mm of rain is currently forecast for Brisbane on Thursday.
The Suns host Essendon on Saturday evening on the Gold Coast, which is also forecast to be affected by Alfred.
The Gabba clash on Thursday marks the start of the Lions’ premiership defence, and a rematch of the nail-biting preliminary final in September. Former Western Bulldog Bailey Smith is expected to make his debut for Geelong.
