TC Alfred v NRL, AFL, netball, sports: How cyclone has impacted sports in Queensland

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has wreaked havoc on sports across all levels in Queensland, with AFL and NRL among those forced to reconsider their plans for this weekend.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has wreaked havoc on sports across all levels in Queensland, with AFL and NRL among those forced to reconsider their plans for this weekend.

TC Alfred is just off the east coast and is now predicted to make landfall on Saturday, bringing with it days of rainfall which could exceed 400mm in some parts.

The AFL’s Opening Round, with games planned for Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is in tatters with both games postponed.

Talk of Geelong hosting the Lions was scuppered before it began, as Lions star and Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale revealed on AFL 360 he would not have played.

The Lions’ Cats clash is likely to be held in round 3 when both clubs have the bye, while the replacement game for Essendon Gold Coast could result in a shuffle around their mid-season byes.

Lions star Lachie Neale revealed he wouldn’t have travelled to Victoria to take on Geelong. Picture: Getty Images

The Suns estimated 8-10 of their own players would not have made the trip south had the AFL flipped their People First Stadium game against Essendon to Victoria.

The Dolphins were set to open their 2025 NRL campaign against the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night but, that too, will not go ahead.

Souths will instead host the Dolphins at CommBank Stadium, maintaining the 8pm (AEDT) kick-off time, with Suncorp Stadium to host the return fixture later in the season.

Dolphins skipper Tom Gilbert carts it up against the Titans in the NRL Pre-Season Challenge. Pic: NRL

Three Dolphins players – Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls and Kenny Bromwich – have pulled out of the match, with the trio opting to stay in Redcliffe with their families, though rival coaches Kristian Woolf (Dolphins) and Souths’ Wayne Bennett have supported the move.

For potentially the first time, Queensland Rugby League games in North Queensland will go ahead despite the cyclone threat.

TC Alfred has forced almost all games to be postponed, including Brisbane Tiger’s clash with the Northern Pride in Cairns and PNG’s match against the Cutters in Mackay.

The only games to go ahead are the junior representative matches in Cairns and Mackay.

Brisbane Roar’s women’s A-Leagues clash with Melbourne City, scheduled to be held at Perry Park on Sunday, has been postponed.

The men’s team play in Adelaide on Saturday, and coach Ruben Zadkovich said the side had made moves to prepare earlier.

“We’re trying to get our body of work in really early today, we’ll have a solid session and get as much into the boys knowing at the back end of the week we might be a bit hamstrung,” he said on Thursday.

Roar’s Jay O'Shea contests possession with Melbourne Victory’s Brendan Hamill. Picture: Getty Images

“We’re trying to fly out as early as we can as well.

“Let’s hope we get out before the winds get crazy and get the plane off the ground.

“But let’s hope Queenslanders are safe and sound and hopefully the cyclone doesn’t do too much damage for people.”

Football Queensland has also suspended all football-related activity across south east Queensland, with the ban to kick-off on Wednesday morning.

Super Rugby’s Reds are also due to play the Crusaders in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Sunday, with that match currently going ahead.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Australian WPGA Championship was set to be held at the Gold Coast but that was cancelled on Tuesday.

The tournament was meant to start Thursday and run through to Sunday but was officially cancelled with a statement released by the PGA of Australia.

Queensland Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning were set to face off in the Suncorp Spirit Cup match at the Gold Coast on Friday but that will not proceed.

The Firebirds and Sunshine Coast Lightning were set to play on Friday night but that game has been cancelled. Picture: Getty Images

Also scheduled for the Gold Coast, the Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships was called off by organisers on Monday afternoon.

At the Sunshine Coast, the hugely popular Mooloolaba Triathlon will not be held as planned this weekend, with permits suspended until a future date to be determined.

Originally published as TC Alfred v NRL, AFL, netball, sports: How cyclone has impacted sports in Queensland