AFL explores putting postponed Bombers-Suns clash on pre-finals bye

The AFL is yet to make a definitive call on when the postponed Opening Round clashes will take place, but one scenario could create the perfect 2025 season finale.

The AFL will consider scheduling the Essendon versus Gold Coast replacement game in the pre-finals bye as a potential finals eliminator.

Rather than trying to cram the match into the mid-season bye rounds, the league could make it a stand-alone clash on a Friday or Saturday night after round 24.

If one or both of the clubs are in finals contention it could make a thrilling climax to the home-and-away season and draw a bumper television audience.

The Suns are gunning for their first finals appearance in the club’s history this season, while the Bombers haven’t won a final in two decades.

The AFL officially postponed the QLD Opening Round games on Tuesday. Picture: Hanna Lassen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The league is weighing up its options after postponing the Bombers and Suns game and Brisbane versus Geelong season-opener due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred which is about to hit the southeast corner of Queensland from Thursday.

Players in Brisbane are preparing to be locked down in their homes for up to five days due to the “dangerous and destructive winds” in excess of 100 km/h and storm surges from 700mm of rain in some areas.

The clubs are wary of the impacts of a replacement game squeezed into the middle rounds which could require the two clubs to play off a short four or five-day break.

There is strong support to slot the match into the footy-free weekend before finals.

Typically clubs in finals play some match simulation on Friday or Saturday as a finals tune-up, while some former players believe it is better to play rather than have the bye before finals.

The Bombers and Suns have been in discussions with league chiefs about their preferences for the replacement game.

One option is to wedge the game between rounds 17 and 18, but the demands on players to back-up off a short break does not hold much appeal.

The Suns and Bombers are slated to play each other in round 17, but playing three games in 10 days would be an enormous task for both clubs in the depths of winter.

The Lions versus Cats replacement game will be scheduled in round 3 when the two clubs have a bye.

There is support to play the game as part of a double-header on the Friday night, but the Lions would have a short break off a Sunday game in round 2.

The league is considering the implications for clubs and broadcasters.

Sydney and Hawthorn will kick off the season on Friday night at the SCG, followed by GWS Giants and Collingwood on Sunday.

Originally published as AFL explores putting postponed Bombers-Suns clash on pre-finals bye