Tropical Cyclone Alfred is now beginning to cause concern for the AFL ahead of Opening Round, with the natural disaster still expected to make landfall near Brisbane on Thursday, as southern Queensland continues to be battered by strong winds and huge swells.
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As of 5:30am on Monday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology predict winds to exceed 130km/h on Thursday in Brisbane, with winds of 90km/h or more expected on the days either side.
Should Cyclone Alfred hit landfall as assumed, the worst conditions will likely be seen just south of the cyclone in conditions that could see up to 600 millimetres fall in a 24-hour period throughout southeast Queensland — despite the more conservative forecast below.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon was expected to speak in Sydney on Monday morning addressing the weather, with Nine’s Tom Morris already reporting that Brisbane have informed the league of their desire to — in the case of a re-scheduling — play Geelong in Round 3, when both teams are currently set for a bye weekend.
On Sunday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued an update on the category two system, outlining its trajected path heading into the start of the AFL home-and-away season.
“Severe coastal hazards are likely for southern Queensland and northeast New South Wales (this week), the Bureau said.
“A large and powerful, to potentially damaging easterly swell as well as abnormally high tides are forecast about exposed southern Queensland beaches, possibly extending to northern New South Wales from Monday.”
Alfred’s projected arrival near Brisbane at this stage will come between Thursday and Friday morning, meaning that the opening match of 2025 between reigning premiers Brisbane and opponent Geelong could be the most affected.
The AFL said it would this week monitor monitor the system, declaring in a statement to multiple media outlets: “We will continue to monitor the situation over the coming days and be in step with Government advice.”
A tropical cyclone hasn’t made landfall as a categorised system in south-eastern QLD for around 31 years, circa ex-Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 1974.
Ironically, a clash between the same two sides last year in Round 6 at The Gabba was also subject to a plethora of rain, with the Cats taking out the low-scoring affair.
The Bureau encouraged residents and communities living on the Queensland coast and the northern New South Wales coast to stay up to date with the latest tropical cyclone information and forecast tracks on its website in the coming days.
OPENING ROUND FIXTURE
Thursday March 6
Brisbane vs Geelong, The Gabba @ 6:50pm local time (7:50pm AEDT)
Friday March 7
Sydney vs Hawthorn, SCG @ 7:40pm AEDT
Saturday March 8
Gold Coast vs Essendon, People First Stadium @ 4:15pm local time (5:15pm AEDT)
Sunday, March 9
GWS vs Collingwood, ENGIE Stadium @ 3:20 AEDT
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