AFL says contingencies in place for season-opener as Cyclone Alfred closes in on Brisbane

The Australian Football League (AFL) plans to proceed with its season-opening game in Brisbane as scheduled, while closely monitoring the movement of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The cyclone is expected to make landfall between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane on Thursday, coinciding with the Lions' planned match against Geelong at the Gabba, kicking off the 2025 season.

"Alfred" could strengthen into a category two cyclone system, currently packing winds of 95 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts up to 130 kilometers per hour. The cyclone could also bring rainfall of up to 600 millimeters per day. No decision has been made yet on whether the Lions versus Geelong game will be cancelled. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon indicated that a decision on cancelling the game could be made as early as Thursday morning.

Dillon stated at a Monday season launch press conference in Sydney that the league has contingency plans in place if the game has to be rescheduled. Both teams have a bye available in round three. Dillon said: "(The weather forecast) has changed slightly in the last 12 or 24 hours. We are three days out...the game is scheduled for Thursday night."

Dillon further explained: "For every game, we have contingency plans, and there are options like byes. At the moment, the game is scheduled for Thursday night, and the Lions, Geelong, and the AFL are all preparing for that. The deadline for making a decision will be when we truly know what is going to happen." Dillon added that the league is in contact with local authorities regarding the weather situation. The AFL boss also spoke with Lions CEO Greg Swann again on Sunday night and Monday morning.

Dillon emphasized: "Our opening game is an important game, but it's not the most important game. The most important thing at this stage is that we are connected with the Queensland Government and the Bureau of Meteorology. The safety of the people of southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales is paramount, and that's the focus right now." The Australian National Rugby League (NRL) has yet to make a decision regarding the Dolphins versus South Sydney Rabbitohs game at Suncorp Stadium on Friday. However, the Dolphins remain confident that the game will proceed as scheduled, and the Rabbitohs are considering moving their flight north from Thursday to Wednesday.