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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Joey Lynch

Hawthorn Hawks beat Sydney Swans in AFL 2025 season opener – as it happened

Swans AFL Hawthorn Sydney Dean Cox Joey Lynch John Longmire Brisbane (Geopolitical Entity) SCG Dolphins
Dylan Moore handpasses
Dylan Moore of the Hawks handpasses during the 2025 AFL season opener between Hawthorn and Sydney at the SCG on Friday night. Follow for live updates and scores. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

And so, 24 hours after we thought we were getting it, the first game of the 2025 AFLM season is in the books; Hawthorn making an opening round statement by marching onto the SCG and defeating Sydney by 20 points in a highly entertaining contest. Our match report will be with you soon.

I’ve been Joey Lynch and it’s been a pleasure to have your company across the evening. Thanks and success and, if you’re up in Queensland and Northern NSW, stay safe.

Read the match report here:

Updated

Two injuries to worry about for the Hawks coming out of this one, with the most fear held for James Worpel after a potentially serious looking syndesmosis injury forced him out of the game in the second-quarter. He later emerged to watch the game wearing a moon boot. Will Day, meanwhile, battled cramp as the game wore on but should be right for next week.

For the Swans, the troublesome hamstring of Taylor Adams may have reared its ugly head once more, with the midfielder likely to require scans in the coming days.

Updated

Karl Amon ended the night with the most disposals on the ground with 27, alongside two clearances and a goal. Will Day and Joel Amartey, meanwhile, led the goals count with three apiece, the former adding 26 disposals and nine clearances to that number.

The match-winner, however, has to be James Sicily, who put in a steadfast shift down back in the opening half before getting thrown forward in the final quarter and helping to dive the Hawks to victory, kicking what ended up being the goal that broke the backs of the Swans’ resistance.

Updated

Full-time: Sydney 11.10.76 v Hawthorn 14.12.96

Are the Hawks legit contenders in 2025? They’ve certainly made a good start towards answering that question in the affirmative, marching onto the home patch of one of last season’s grand finalists and coming away from a 20 point win.

After a high-scoring opening quarter in which the lead changed hands six time, the Hawks kicked away in the second and looked like they might be set to break the game open, only for the Swans to rally back put the game back on a knife-edge heading into three quarter-time. But as they heavens opened up above them the Hawks were able to rise to the challenge and see the game off.

It feels like a real tone-setter of an opening round win for Sam Mitchell’s side, something that they can look to build on as they look to take the next step as a unit.

For the Swans, meanwhile, not the ideal start to the Dean Cox era. After coming hard to make a game of it in the third quarter the Hawks were able shut them down in the last, shutting the door on any attempted comeback. And Oliver Florent’s horror turnover to set up Connor Macdonald’s goal in the fourth quarter is the type of unforced era that will kill any attempted fightback.

Nonetheless, with plenty of players yet to come back into the side there’s no reason to panic just yet. Nonetheless, tonight was perhaps another reminder of how hard it is to maintain the sustained success they’ve enjoyed in recent decades – every new season bringing hungry new challengers eager to claim their place.

Updated

Q4. 1 min remaining: Sydney 11.10.76 v Hawthorn 14.12.96

Karl Amon drives the ball into the forward 50, with the ball spilling out the back of the waiting pack and scooting over the line for a point.

The Swans get forward one last time but Oliver Florent’s effort to add a consolation goal hits the post.

Q4. 2 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 14.11.95

Last chance saloon areas for the Swans as they repulse the Hawks latest attack and spring forward in attack. They drive an effort in the direction of Joel Amartey but Sam Frost gets his body on the forward and Massimo D’Ambrosio takes the intercept mark.

Q4. 3 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 14.11.95

The Hawks are absolutely out on their feet, there’s cramping everywhere, but they keep laying the tackles and making the blocks to keep the Swans at bay.

Q4. 4 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 14.11.95

Has James Sicily won this game for the Hawks!?!?

Tom Barrass takes a huge intercept mark as the Swans look to get out of their defensive 50 and drives the ball back forward, with Sicily scooting out in front of the pack and earning a free kick.

The angle isn’t too great but he opts to go around the corner anyway and slots it home, stretching the lead back out to 20 points.

Updated

Q4. 6 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 13.11.89

Desperate footy on show from both sides, as every moment that passes increases the stakes of every kick and handball.

A huge mark on the 50 from James Sicily sets him up for a long-range bomb but Nick Blakey gets back and scrambles it through for a point.

Q4. 7 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 13.10.88

The Hawks send a ball to the top of the goal square but neither Mabior Chol nor James Sicily can claim it and the Swans clear.

Tom McCartin takes a grab on the right wing as the Swans look to get set up and launch forward but the Hawks see off the danger.

Q4. 9 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 13.10.88

The Hawks surge forward again looking to deliver a potentially devastating one-two punch but the Swans clear the ball away. A big tackle from Conor Nash wins the ball back for the visitors, however, and with a 13-point advantage they take their time in working the ball forward.

Mabior Chol thinks he’s taken a grab for a set short from close-range but he’s forced to give the ball to Dane Rampe, who was obstructed by James Sicily.

Q4. 11 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 13.10.88

A horror error from the Swans gives the Hawks an absolute gift!

Oliver Florent stands up James Sicily in the forward pocket and wins a free kick for holding the ball but his resulting distribution is shanked straight to the Hawks’ Connor Macdonald, who takes a simple grab and converts from 35 out.

Updated

Q4. 14 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 12.10.82

The debutant Tom Hanily drags down Jai Newcombe and earns a free kick from the left wing, just on the 50 metre arc. He tries to get cute with a chip to the top of the goal square but Karl Amon is the only one waiting to meet it and the Hawks see off the danger.

Q4. 15 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 12.10.82

Tom McCartin takes a grab in the midfield but he’s forced to wait for options to emerge in front of him, giving the Hawks time to get defenders behind the ball.

He eventually bombs the ball into the forward 50 and it falls to Tom Papley but his attempt from an angle goes out on the full.

Q4. 16 min remaining: Sydney 11.9.75 v Hawthorn 12.10.82

The Swans continue to pressure the Hawks with the weight of territory, getting another minor score, btu are unable to convert.

The visitors make their way up the other end of the SCG but James Sicily can’t hold onto his attempt to mark in the wet conditions, granting the Swans a reprieve.

Q4. 17 min remaining: Sydney 11.8.74 v Hawthorn 12.10.82

James Sicily has been sent forward by Sam Mitchell and he makes an immediate impact, taking a chest mark in front of Dane Rampe atop the goal square. The Swans thought he’d played on and it looked like he did but he’s not forced to do so by the umpires, instead able to go back and drive it home.

The Swans surge forward in an attempt to find a response but neither Joel Amartey or Chad Warner are able to find the target.

Q4. 20 min remaining: Sydney 11.6.72 v Hawthorn 11.10.76

As the downpour that began in the third quarter intensifies, the Swans get the first forward 50 entry of the final quarter.

The Hawks briefly get the ball clear but Chad Warner booms a long-range effort towards goal, an effort that could have skidded anywhere off the turf if not for Jarman Impey’s efforts to get back and smother the ball for a rushed behind.

Updated

Three quarter-time: Sydney 11.5.71 v Hawthorn 11.10.76

After coming out of the main break in a 20 point deficit, a big third-quarter from the Swans has cut the margin to five and set the first game of the 2025 season up for a grandstand finish.

Sydney kicked five goals to two across the quarter, with Chad Warner and Nick Blakey helping to inspire their furious fightback and the influential James Sicily stymied.

James Worpel already wearing a club polo and moon boot after being subbed out of the game with an ankle injury there will be concern amongst the Hawks faithful for Will Day. He needed treatment at the end of the quarter and while the word from the visitor’s camp is that it’s only cramp, it’s absolutely worth keeping an eye on.

Updated

Q3. 1 min remaining: Sydney 11.5.71 v Hawthorn 11.10.76

A soft turnover from Jack Ginnivan almost gives the Swans scope to break quickly but Tom Barrass does very well to hold Joel Amartey up and give his teammates scope to get back into shape.

The Hawks win the ball back and launch a move that sees Nick Watson burst into space and shoot but Nick Blakey is able back on the last line of defence to keep it out for no score.

Q3. 2 mins remaining: Sydney 11.5.71 v Hawthorn 11.10.76

The Hawks grab a point to move the lead back out to four. They’re able to lock the ball in the forward 50 and Jack Ginnivan’s smother of an attempt to clear Matt Roberts puts the ball up for grabs before the Swans scramble the ball through for a behind.

Updated

Q3. 4 mins remaining: Sydney 11.5.71 v Hawthorn 11.8.74

The Lizard! Nick Blakey overlaps to receive a handball after a strong grab from Justin McInerney and advances to five meters beyond the 50 metre arc, from where he guides an effort through to bring it back to a three point game.

Updated

Q3. 5 mins remaining: Sydney 10.5.65 v Hawthorn 11.8.74

Some real concerns for Hawthorn here, as Will Day has been forced off the ground and is receiving treatment from the club’s medical staff. They’ve already lost James Worpel to an ankle injury, they really can’t afford to lose the best on ground in the opening half.

The Swans, meanwhile, have activated their sub, with Tom Hanily coming on for his debut as a replacement for Gus Sheldrick.

Updated

Q3. 6 mins remaining: Sydney 10.5.65 v Hawthorn 11.8.74

A momentum-killer for the Swans as they completely switch off and allow Connor Nash to ghost into space to receive a pass from Will Day. He sends through an important steadier for the Hawks and the lead is back to nine points.

Q3. 8mins remaining: Sydney 10.5.65 v Hawthorn 10.8.68

The inferred pressure of momentum is on show as Jai Newcombe has a chance to take the sting out of this Swans run and answer back from the Swans, only to drag his attempt from the boundary across the face of goal and out on the full.

Not an easy attempt by any stretch but should at least be hitting the garget.

Q3. 8mins remaining: Sydney 10.5.65 v Hawthorn 10.8.68

The Hawks are able to get the ball forward but their attempt to stem the onslaught only sees them pick up a point.

The Swans get the ball forward again and force a series of throw-ins in their forward 50 but Hawthorn show good mettle to keep them out.

Q3. 11 mins remaining: Sydney 10.5.65 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

Will Hayward cuts the deficit to just two points as the SCG crowd roars in approval!

The Swans collect the crumbs from a ball-up on the edge of their forward 50 and snap it in deep. It spills out and before Tom Barrass has the chance to clear the ball away after getting the crumbs he’s dragged down by Hayward and pinged for holding the ball.

Q3. 13 mins remaining: Sydney 9.5.59 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

The Swans are coming! Meek takes the ball out of the ruck in the middle and springs the Hawks forward but the hosts have the numbers to win the ball and spring rapidly in transition.

The move ends when Chard Warner spears a pass towards the top of the goal square, where Tom McCartin takes a strong grab and cuts the deficit further.

Updated

Q3. 16 mins remaining: Sydney 8.5.53 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

The lead is down to 14 points! The Swans spring a transition on the Hawks’ attempt to do so, eventually working the the ball into position where Justin McInerney finds Chad Warner for a set shot from the right forward pocket, one he duly converts.

Updated

Q3. 17 mins remaining: Sydney 7.5.47 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

The Swans get the ball forward again as they try to build some momentum but Justin McInerney drags his set shot left.

Q3. 17 mins remaining: Sydney 7.4.46 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

The Swans respond immediately and keep themselves in it, working the ball to Justin McInerney as they win the clearance off the bounce. He drives a ball forward for Joel Amartey, who slots it through for his third of the game.

Updated

Q3. 18 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 10.7.67

A ball-up sees the Hawks work the ball to Massimo D’Ambrosio, who lofts the ball into the forward 50. Mabior Chol rides a bump and takes the grab before slotting the ball through for his first of the game and to stretch the lead to 27 points.

Q3. 19 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.7.61

Will Day boots the ball forward but the Swans are able to wrap Nash up and force a ball-up. Massimo D’Ambrosio collects the ball and stabs the ball toward goal but Mabior Chol can’t collect and it goes through for a point.

The ball is bounced and the second half is underway!

Unfortunately for the Hawks, James Worpel will be unable to continue after that ankle injury, with Sam Frost set to enter the game and forcing a reshuffle from the visitors.

Putting a bit of a dampener on that second quarter for the Hawks, there are concerns for the right ankle of James Worpel after it got folded up underneath him late in the quarter.

The midfielder headed to the bench to get it re-strapped and, with substitute Sam Frost a key defender, Sam Mitchell will undoubtedly be hoping he’s right to continue in the third.

Joel Amartey has two goals for the Swans, with Chad Warner, Taylor Adams, and Tom Papley all contributing one.

As mentioned, Will Day leads both teams with three goals, while Dylan Moore and Lloyd Meek have two and Jai Newcombe and Karl Amon have kicked one apiece for the Hawks.

Half-time: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.6.60

The second-half didn’t prove quite as high-scoring as the first but it was one in which the Hawks were able to start flexing their muscle and begin to take control of the game – leading by 20 at the main break.

The visitors kicked four goals to two in that second quarter, with Will Day best on ground to this point with three goals to go along with five clearances and a ground-leading 19 disposals and 357 meters gained.

Updated

Q2. 1 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.6.60

The Swans are able to survive a throw-in and ball-up deep in their defensive 50 and clear the ball away. Josh Battle grabs the ball for the Hawks and winds up from range but his effort bounces wide.

Q2. 2 mins remaining: Sydney 6.4.40 v Hawthorn 9.5.59

Matt Roberts send the ball in to the Swans forward 50 and while Tom McCartin can’t bring the mark in, Taylor Adams collects the crumbs and finds James Rowbottom, who snaps a much-need goal.

Q2. 3 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4.34 v Hawthorn 9.5.59

It’s Will Day again! He kicks his third goal and stretches the lead out further after he drags down Matt Roberts and earns a free kick for holding the ball. It’s a harsh call but the Hawks won’t care as they look to put their foot on the Swans throats just before halftime.

Q2. 4 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4.34 v Hawthorn 8.5.53

The Hawks lead is out to 19 points and they’ve kicked five out of the last six goals, the visitor’s latest coming when ruckman Lloyd Meek earns a 50 metre penalty to set himself up with a relatively set shot from close-range.

Q2. 5 mins remaining: Sydney 5.4.34 v Hawthorn 7.5.47

The Swans continue to blunt themselves against the Hawks defensive shape as they look to work they way back into this one.

A lapse from James Sicily, however, gives the hosts an avenue to goal when he gives away a 50 metre penalty against Chad Warner. He sends a booming kick towards the post but Joel Amartey can’t bring the ball in, with it instead rushed through for a behind.

Q2. 7 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 7.5.47

The Swans repeatedly look to build out from the back but they can’t find a way through the Hawks on both occasions they get the ball inside the forward 50.

Q2. 9 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 7.5.47

Again the Hawks come and this time it’s they that are on the right side of the umpire’s call, Will Day adjudged to have been collected high and earning a set shot from almost directly in front. He just sneaks his second of the game just inside the post to extend his side’s lead.

Day is having an absolute, ahem, day out at the SCG.

Q2. 10 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 6.5.41

Will Day drives the Hawks into the attack again but Sam Wicks envelops Nick Watson and earns a free kick for holding the ball.

Updated

Q2. 11 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.34 v Hawthorn 6.5.41

The Hawks come forward again and Jack Ginnivan – who has been rarely sighted tonight – sends in a wayward attempt from close to the boundary.

Updated

Q2. 12 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.34 v Hawthorn 6.4.40

Just as the Swans are looking like they’re building some momentum, Karl Amon produces a peach of a goal to snuff it out and extend the Hawks’ lead.

The 29-year-old shakes off the attention of multiple defenders as he carries the ball into the forward 50 before playing a one-two with Jai Newcombe to spring him into the space he needs to convert. Top goal.

Updated

Q2. 15 mins remaining: Sydney 5.3.33 v Hawthorn 5.4.34

James Sicily is found in the middle of the park and booms a ball into the forward 50, Hardwick can’t take the grab but sticks with it , ensuring that the Hawks are able to keep the ball locked in and earn a ball-up.

It comes to naught, however, as the Swans break forward quickly. Tom Papley can’t take the grab on a ball boomed deep into the 50 but Joel Amartey is hurled to the ground by Josh Battle as he looks to get the crumbs and wins a free kick, one he converts.

Q2. 17 mins remaining: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.4.34

Will Day drives the ball into the forward 50 and while Ben Paton smothers Finn Maginness’ initial attempt, the Hawks are able to keep the ball in attack and eventually work the ball to Maginness. His set shot, however, collects the post.

Q2. 20 mins remaining: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33

Brodie Grundy wins the ball from the opening bounce of the second and drives the Swans into attack but the Hawks repulse the initial foray. The Swans take the ball back and spread the play out as they look to build back up using the full extent of the ground. Joel Amartey can’t wrangle the ball on the boundary and we’ll have a throw-in right on the 50-metre line in the Swans attack.

Quarter-time: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33

Well, if every quarter of the 2025 AFLM season is as entertaining as that one we’re in for an absolute treat this year.

Across an open, attacking opening, the Swans grabbed the first two of the game amidst a clinical opening but the Hawks forced their way back into it and finished the quarter with the momentum. Will Day has been really impressive for the Hawks, while Tom Papley has been big for the hosts.

Both sides have been mostly clean, too with Hawthorn having a disposal efficiency of 86% and Sydney 81%.

Q1. 3 mins remaining: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33

Angus Sheldrick delivers the ball into the Swans’ forward 50 but the Hawks are able to scramble back, intercept and get the ball clear.

Updated

Q1. 3 mins remaining: Sydney 4.3.27 v Hawthorn 5.3.33

Looking to try to snuff out the visitor’s momentum, the visitors get the ball forward once more but Tom Papley can’t grab his second of the game, forced instead to settle for a minor score.

Updated

Q1. 5 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2.26 v Hawthorn 5.3.33

James Sicily intercepts as the Swans look to move the ball forward and it tees the Hawks up to spread out and work the ball forward once again. The ball eventually spills at the top of the goalmouth, allowing Will Day to bustle Angus Sheldrick away before soccering it through.

Updated

Q1. 5 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2.26 v Hawthorn 4.3.27

A ball-up at the top of the Hawks’ forward 50 sees James Worpel held and awarded a free kick. His effort, though, is dragged across the face of goal for a point.

Q1. 6 mins remaining: Sydney 4.2.26 v Hawthorn 4.2.26

The Swans take the ball out of the centre and are able to find Tom McCartin on a tight angle just inside the 50. He goes back to tee up a shot but can’t get his effort on target.

Q1. 7 mins remaining: Sydney 4.1.25 v Hawthorn 4.2.26

We’ve got an absolute barn-burner of an opening quarter here. James Worpel takes a grab at the top of the 50 before handballing off to Dylan Moore, who cuts inside and converts for his second of the game as the Hawks re-take the lead.

Q1. 7 mins remaining: Sydney 4.1.25 v Hawthorn 3.2.20

Chad Warner bursts into space and while Tom Papley can’t be clean with his delivery to the top of the 50, the Swans collect the ball and Oliver Florent bounces a long-range effort through the sticks.

A subsequent review, however, determines that Jack Scrimshaw got a finger on it and the goal is ruled a behind.

Updated

Q1. 8 mins remaining: Sydney 4.0.24 v Hawthorn 3.2.20

We’re going goal for goal at the SCG! The hosts drive the ball into the forward 50 and while Tom McCartin is unable to take the grab, he does knock the ball down the advantage of Tom Papley, who scampers out the back and converts a goal that stands after review.

Updated

Q1. 9 mins remaining: Sydney 3.0.18 v Hawthorn 3.2.20

For the first time, the Hawks are able to repel the Swans after they get the ball into the forward 50. Behind play, Mabior Chol is in discussions with the Hawthorn medical staff after awkwardly landing on his hip.

Updated

Q1. 11 mins remaining: Sydney 3.0.18 v Hawthorn 3.2.20

Another centre bounce clearance leads to another goal and another lead change. The Hawks take the ball out of the middle and boom the ball forward, where Ben Paton is pinged for holding on Jai Newcombe, with the 23-year-old subsequently booting the Hawks third.

Q1. 11 mins remaining: Sydney 3.0.18 v Hawthorn 2.2.14

The Swans are back in front, with their three inside 50s all resulting in goals. They win a free kick at halfback and rapidly transition to attack, where Tom Papley finds Taylor Adams. One 50 metre penalty against James Sicily, he converts a simple set shot.

Q1. 13 mins remaining: Sydney 2.0.12 v Hawthorn 2.2.14

The Hawks force a throw-in deep in the Swans half and while they’re forced to recycle possession around the 50, they’re clean in possession until Massimo D’Ambrosio is able to drill a left-footed pass to the lead of Lloyd Meek, who takes the grab and goes back and converts.

The Hawks take the lead and currently lead the inside 50s count 7 to 2.

Q1. 15 mins remaining: Sydney 2.0.12 v Hawthorn 1.2.8

The Hawks immediately answer back with a goal of their own – a real back and forth start at the SCG. They win the ball straight from the centre bounce and send the ball forward, where Dylan Moore shows great strength to hold off his defender and take a grab to set up a simple set shot.

Q1. 16 mins remaining: Sydney 2.0.12 v Hawthorn 0.2.2

The Swans get another goal quickly. They win the ball following the re-start and drive the ball in for Joel Amartey, who cops one in the back from Tom Barrass and earns a free kick he converts.

Q1. 17 mins remaining: Sydney 1.0.6 v Hawthorn 0.2.2

Chad Warner gets the first major of the 2025 season. The Swans get the ball into the forward 50 and force a ball-up, where they force the Hawks to cough the ball straight to Warner, who snaps the ball through to put his side ahead.

Updated

Q1. 18 mins remaining: Sydney 0.0.0 v Hawthorn 0.2.2

A free kick is speared into the Hawks’ forward 50 for Dylan Moore. He goes back for a set shot but drags it across the face of goal.

Q1. 19 mins remaining: Sydney 0.0.0 v Hawthorn 0.1.1

The Hawks get the first centre clearance of 2025, with an advantage for Karl Amon seeing him advance into the forward 50 and hit the post.

Updated

The ball is bounced, the 2025 season has begun!

The players are making their way to their positions across the SCG. The first bounce of the 2025 season is moments away!

The Hawks will be donning one of their three heritage guernseys they’ve got on tap for the season tonight, a brown number with a slightly lighter brown V across the chest, in addition to a 100-year commemorative logo.

The Swans are keeping it simple, wearing their home guernseys and red shorts.

Updated

160 days after their grand final shellacking, the Swans have made their way out onto the surface of the SCG, looking to set a new narrative heading into 2025.

The Swans will be without skipper Callum Mills, Errol Gulden, Hayden McLean, Logan McDonald and Harry Cunningham for tonight’s game, with Isaac Heeney to captain the side in Mills’ absence. Brodie Grundy and Tom Papley have both passed fitness tests and will feature, Tom Hanily is set to make his debut and Ben Paton will play his first game for his new club.

Veteran forward Jack Gunston has been left out by the Hawks, with Luke Breust, Changkuoth Jiath, Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear amongst their other absences. Josh Battle and Tom Barrass, meanwhile, have been named to make their debuts in brown and gold.

Tom Hanily will serve as the sub for the Swans, while Sam Frost will fill that role for the Disco Hawks.

The Hawks are the first side to burst through a banner in 2025, emerging onto the SCG surface amid a smattering boos from the Swans faithful.

Tragedy, high farce, handovers, white nationalists, dick pics and cyclones – all in all, a standard off-season in the AFL.

Not only is Jonathan Horn’s From the Pocket worth a read this week – and a subscription to make sure you get it in your inbox every week – he also might have invented a brand new sentence.

Brisbane won last year’s premiership, perfectly complementing the AFL’s national growth strategy. The northern clubs have been given a leg up by hosting opening round matches – despite Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s interruption this year – and hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested into programs in non-traditional markets. Yet as the most recent two expansion sides enter their adolescence in 2025, it’s starting to sound like Dillon wants them to earn their keep.

Ahead of the season’s opening bounce, Jack Snape has taken a look at the AFL’s four Northern sides and the AFL’s hope for the Suns and Greater Western Sydney.

Updated

Hawks boss Sam Mitchell also joined the Fox Footy coverage ahead of the bounce and was asked by Buckley about his feelings now that round one was finally here after his side built up so much momentum towards the end of 2024.

There’s a level of excitement about how we’ve got about it, what we’ve done. We’ve done a heap of work and we hope that we’ve improved -- we know that we have to. Every team, every season, tries to get better. We finished sixth last year, that’s not what this club aims for. So, we’re looking to take further steps up the ladder. Sydney were well, well in front of us last year, and let’s see if we can put it on show tonight.

Who will be playing finals footy come the end of the campaign? Here’s Jonathan Horn’s picks, featuring tonight’s two belligerents.

Speaking on Fox Footy’s coverage, Swans coach Dean Cox was asked by Jason Dunstall about putting his own mark on a side that has been so successful, for so long, and John Longmire.

I was always going to have some teething problems once we tried to implement some new things. Certainly with the way we defend and on top of that, the way that we wanted to address our contest method. They were probably the two things that I wanted to touch on. And the players have bought in so far. But tonight, there’ll still be some teething problems, but we’ve just got to get it right eventually as the year progresses.

Cox was also asked by Nathan Buckley about how he was feeling ahead of his first game in the main chair.

“One thing I want to try and do is remain calm and let the players do what they’ve been practicing the whole time. I’ve challenged them about being able to adapt and problem solve all the way through preseason. So, I’ve got to make sure that I do the same. And when the decisions have to be made, I’ll make them and try and get them to change the way we play.

Updated

Late to the party and wondering who’s a contender and who’s a pretender? Who’s legit and who’s gonna quit? Then don’t worry, because Jonathan Horn has you covered with his in-depth predicted ladder for the 2025 season.

First, the ten sides that Horn expects to find themselves on the outside looking in when September rolls around. Although, as a Bulldogs man, can’t say I’m too enamoured with his predictions here.

Wet and wild conditions had been expected for tonight’s game but, for now, they’ve failed to materialise. The SCG is bathed in a glorious setting sun as the first bounce approaches, with conditions looking perfect for footy.

Tonight wasn’t supposed to serve as the opening game of the season, of course. That honour was supposed to go to reigning premiers Brisbane and Geelong up at the Gabba yesterday evening, only for that game to be postponed as Tropical Cyclone Alfred closed in on the Queensland and northern NSW coast. If you are caught up in the storm, please stay safe.

Saturday’s meeting between the Gold Coast and Essendon has also been postponed due to Alfred, with the Lions and Cats now set to meet in round three and the Suns and Bombers making up their fixture alongside their previously scheduled fixtures in round 24.

In the NRL, the Dolphins fixture with South Sydney has been relocated from Lang Park to Western Sydney stadium, with the Dolphins’ Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, and Kenny Bromwich opting to remain in Brisbane to prepare for the cyclone.

In the A-Leagues, Brisbane Roar’s A-League Women meeting with Melbourne City – where City were seeking to set a new record for the longest unbeaten run in league history – has been postponed, while the Roar’s A-League Men outfit were forced to fly out early for their meeting with Adelaide United.

Preamble

Howdy all and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the 2025 AFLM’s season opener between Sydney and Hawthorn at the SCG. It’s not the curtain raiser we were expecting at this time last week but it still shapes as a blockbuster contest between last year’s vanquished grand finalists and a side that finished 2024 on the rise. My name’s Joey Lynch and I’m looking forward to taking you through all the action.

Tonight marks the beginning of a new era for the Swans, Dean Cox given the daunting task of succeeding John Longmire after he stunned the AFL world by stepping down last November, reaching the end of his tether after 14 highly successful years at the helm of the club. The last time the Swans were in this position they handled things rather well, transitioning from one premiership coach to another as Longmire succeeded Paul Roos and went on to reach five grand finals, winning one. We now await to see if they’ll be able to pull off a similar handover with Cox.

On top of this, there’s also the matter of Sydney seeking to put behind them the last, disastrous grand final of Longmire’s tenure – a dominant home and away season counting for little as they suffered a 10-goal drubbing at the hands of Brisbane in last year’s decider. It’s been 160 days since that thrashing and now, the redemption tour begins.

Looking to spoil this, however, are the Hollywood Hawks. Starting last season with five straight losses, Hawthorn caught fire and won 11 of their last 13 matches to book a spot in the finals, a berth which subsequently saw them record a first finals win since 2015 when they beat the Western Bulldogs. They won plenty of fans with their entertaining brand of footy during this run and while they might have copped a reality brick to the face when they faced off with Port Adelaide in a semi-final last season, they’ve been widely tipped to kick on in 2025. Of course, with expectation comes pressure, and Sam Mitchell’s unit will face an early acid test against the Swans tonight.

The first bounce will be at 7.40pm AEDT and we’ll look to bring you up to speed on everything you need to know before then.

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