Preview AFL 2025 Opening Round - Suns v Bombers (Peoples First) POSTPONED

[Wosh]

AFL 2025 PREMIERSHIP SEASON ROUND 0
GOLD COAST V ESSENDON
SATURDAY MARCH 8TH 4:15PM AEDT (PEOPLE FIRST STADIUM)

Live scores on BigFooty during the match.

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To be announced.

Watch this thread to be alerted when teams drop.

Final Teams released (Melb Time):
Thursday Match - Wednesday 6:20pm
Friday Match - Thursday 6:20pm
Saturday Match - Thursday 6:20pm
Sunday Match - Friday 5:00pm
Monday Match - Saturday 5:00pm
(NB: Sunday and Monday match Extended Squads are released Thursday 6:20)


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On Tuesday afternoon it was confirmed both matches set to take place in Queensland for Opening Round have been called off due on advice from the Queensland government and Stadiums Queensland.

“Out of an abundance of caution and after ongoing communication with the Queensland Government, the Bureau of Meteorology and Stadiums Queensland, the AFL made the decision now to ensure the health and safety of clubs, players, officials and – importantly - the wider southeastern Queensland and northern NSW community remains the priority,” the AFL said in a statement.

“The AFL will announce the alternate schedule for these matches as soon as possible as we continue to work with clubs and venues on possible scenarios. The rescheduled matches won’t be played during Opening Round.”

 

[Wosh]

Get your tips in

WE'RE BACK BABY!

 

[Zevon]

The Suns turned Carrara into a fortress late last year and I reckon we’ll see more of the same in 2025. Gold Coast by a few goals.

 

[Billy ray]

Wooooo

Pumped!!

 

[Cam Payne]

Having not seen them play yesterday but reading reports the Bombers are the new premiership favourite. Bombers by more than you can imagine.

 

[GC2015]

The Suns turned Carrara into a fortress late last year and I reckon we’ll see more of the same in 2025. Gold Coast by a few goals.

Do you think Brad Scott will show the players this image to get them fired up before the game? For those who don't live on the Gold Coast, this image of Mac Andrew shooshing the Essendon crowd, after ending their 2024 season with an after the siren goal, has been plastered all over the city on billboards and electonic signs to advertise this game. Apparently the game is very close to selling out, so I guess that marketing angle is working.

 

[EBERT THE KING]

Collins - Caddy
Powell - Kako
Ballard - Langford

If this is the match ups - could be a very long night for the Bombers forwards. Not to mention the 12 million dollar man sitting in the hole.

Just cant see Essendon scoring enough goals up there.

Suns comfortably.

 

[JayJ20]

Do you think Brad Scott will show the players this image to get them fired up before the game? For those who don't live on the Gold Coast, this image of Mac Andrew shooshing the Essendon crowd, after ending their 2024 season with an after the siren goal, has been plastered all over the city on billboards and electonic signs to advertise this game. Apparently the game is very close to selling out, so I guess that marketing angle is working.

Not really. Mac Andrew is a fantastic talent and he smashed us both times we played (defence first time and forward second time).

The game itself though was a dead rubber for us and we kicked 2.9 in the last quarter so we only have ourselves to blame. Another disappointing second half slide and there was no way we would beat Sydney or Brisbane to finish the year.

Plus we haven't really lost to Gold Coast much in our history so it was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately for us, Gold Coast are a formidable side in Queensland so it'll be a tough game to win especially with all the Opening Round hype. Hopefully it's an entertaining game if we go down like the last couple of games.

 

[GC2015]

Not really. Mac Andrew is a fantastic talent and he smashed us both times we played (defence first time and forward second time).

The game itself though was a dead rubber for us and we kicked 2.9 in the last quarter so we only have ourselves to blame. Another disappointing second half slide and there was no way we would beat Sydney or Brisbane to finish the year.

Plus we haven't really lost to Gold Coast much in our history so it was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately for us, Gold Coast are a formidable side in Queensland so it'll be a tough game to win especially with all the Opening Round hype. Hopefully it's an entertaining game if we go down like the last couple of games.

How was it a dead rubber? Essendon were sitting 9th on the ladder going into that game against the Suns and were 4 points behind the 6th placed Dockers, 2 points behind 7th placed Bulldogs and 2 points behind the 8th placed Blues. Fremantle, the Dogs and Carlton all lost in that round, which means Essendon would have moved up to 6th or 7th on the ladder had they beaten the Suns that day with 2 rounds to go in the season. You can't definitively say Essendon wouldn't have beaten either the Swans or Lions in those last two rounds if they knew they only needed one more win to secure a place in the finals. Don't forget, Sydney's form was very shaky towards the end of last season and the game was played at Marvel.

Anyway, that is literally the exact opposite of a dead rubber in my books. Essendon had everything to play for in that Suns game.

 

[Jirik13]

Not really. Mac Andrew is a fantastic talent and he smashed us both times we played (defence first time and forward second time).

The game itself though was a dead rubber for us and we kicked 2.9 in the last quarter so we only have ourselves to blame. Another disappointing second half slide and there was no way we would beat Sydney or Brisbane to finish the year.

Plus we haven't really lost to Gold Coast much in our history so it was bound to happen sooner or later. Unfortunately for us, Gold Coast are a formidable side in Queensland so it'll be a tough game to win especially with all the Opening Round hype. Hopefully it's an entertaining game if we go down like the last couple of games.

Very strange to call that game a dead rubber. It was quite the opposite. Essendon season was on the line. Suns were extremely lucky in the last quarter. Essendon misses were unbelievable.

One disgraceful act stuck in my memory from this game. After Mac's goal Essendon fans were throwing bottles at Suns players, a couple ones barely missing. AFL, media swept it under carper like it did not happen, all quiet.

Essendon looking good in pre-season. Game on.

 

[Billy ray]

This ^

The first game after the AFL cover up game indeed. Was an absolute disgrace the coverup and media were complicit in it.

 

[GCS in 11]

So there’s a potential that Cyclone Alfred now makes landfall directly on SEQ next Thursday/Friday, with a 35% chance it does so as a cyclone . If that happens this game and the Lions season opener would almost certainly have to be postponed?

It’s still 6-7 days away so hard to forecast, but I think with todays update from BOM it makes it a distinct possibility.

 

[JackFlash]

Suns by 55points

 

[JayJ20]

How was it a dead rubber? Essendon were sitting 9th on the ladder going into that game against the Suns and were 4 points behind the 6th placed Dockers, 2 points behind 7th placed Bulldogs and 2 points behind the 8th placed Blues. Fremantle, the Dogs and Carlton all lost in that round, which means Essendon would have moved up to 6th or 7th on the ladder had they beaten the Suns that day with 2 rounds to go in the season. You can't definitively say Essendon wouldn't have beaten either the Swans or Lions in those last two rounds if they knew they only needed one more win to secure a place in the finals. Don't forget, Sydney's form was very shaky towards the end of last season and the game was played at Marvel.

Anyway, that is literally the exact opposite of a dead rubber in my books. Essendon had everything to play for in that Suns game.

We were never going to beat Brisbane away and we struggle against Sydney at the best of times. We know our club well enough to know that.

And scraping into 8th with a terrible percentage is the last thing Essendon supporters want from a season. We don't need to get smashed in an EF away the way Carlton did to Brisbane. Does nothing for our development. That would be demoralising for a side that hasn't won a final in 20 years.

To me, the season already ended when we lost to Adelaide and got smashed by St Kilda.

Very strange to call that game a dead rubber. It was quite the opposite. Essendon season was on the line. Suns were extremely lucky in the last quarter. Essendon misses were unbelievable.

One disgraceful act stuck in my memory from this game. After Mac's goal Essendon fans were throwing bottles at Suns players, a couple ones barely missing. AFL, media swept it under carper like it did not happen, all quiet.

Essendon looking good in pre-season. Game on.

It was technically live yes, but in reality, it would have just delayed the end of the season to the final week. Winning the game wouldn't have even moved us up a spot because of our terrible percentage.

The supporters were pretty awful that day and I'm kinda glad it was Mac that scored the goal. Maybe it's the African in me but it was probably the least angry I was at an after-the-siren loss. I was like "those fans deserve it" lol.

I will say though that it's pretty frustrating losing to Dimma. Only beat a Dimma coached side once in the last 16 games.

Game on for sure but I think your boys will be too strong for us at home in what has become a bit of a fortress for GC.

 

[Mr Meow]

Do you think Brad Scott will show the players this image to get them fired up before the game? For those who don't live on the Gold Coast, this image of Mac Andrew shooshing the Essendon crowd, after ending their 2024 season with an after the siren goal, has been plastered all over the city on billboards and electonic signs to advertise this game. Apparently the game is very close to selling out, so I guess that marketing angle is working.

The sad thing is this was probably the greatest moment in the club's history.

 

[Don Won]

So there’s a potential that Cyclone Alfred now makes landfall directly on SEQ next Thursday/Friday, with a 35% chance it does so as a cyclone . If that happens this game and the Lions season opener would almost certainly have to be postponed?

It’s still 6-7 days away so hard to forecast, but I think with todays update from BOM it makes it a distinct possibility.
View attachment 2237051

Don’t think they can postpone it, but it could be played down here. The st Kilda/bulldogs home ground is feee next weekend

 

[windyhill]

Having not seen them play yesterday but reading reports the Bombers are the new premiership favourite. Bombers by more than you can imagine.

New favourite before fremantle !?!? Surely you jest.

 

[windyhill]

Do you think Brad Scott will show the players this image to get them fired up before the game? For those who don't live on the Gold Coast, this image of Mac Andrew shooshing the Essendon crowd, after ending their 2024 season with an after the siren goal, has been plastered all over the city on billboards and electonic signs to advertise this game. Apparently the game is very close to selling out, so I guess that marketing angle is working.

Close to sellout ? So another Essendon home game.

 

[Jirik13]

Close to sellout ? So another Essendon home game.

50:50 last year

 

[Billy ray]

Moist

 

[Jirik13]

MoistView attachment 2239260

Over 8 days.

This is updated forecast from this noon for Nerang. Sat no issue really.

Friday 7 March​

Summary

Min 20Max 27Windy. Heavy rain.Possible rainfall: 20 to 140 mmChance of any rain: 100%

Gold Coast area​

Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Heavy falls possible. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Saturday 8 March​

Summary

Min 21Max 27Showers.Possible rainfall: 4 to 50 mmChance of any rain: 80%

Gold Coast area​

Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h.

 

[Mr Q]

Over 8 days.

This is updated forecast from this noon for Nerang. Sat no issue really.

Friday 7 March​

Summary

Min 20Max 27Windy. Heavy rain.Possible rainfall: 20 to 140 mmChance of any rain: 100%

Gold Coast area​

Cloudy. Very high chance of rain. Heavy falls possible. Damaging wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Saturday 8 March​

Summary

Min 21Max 27Showers.Possible rainfall: 4 to 50 mmChance of any rain: 80%

Gold Coast area​

Cloudy. High chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm. Winds easterly 20 to 30 km/h.

The overall amount of rain over the preceding few days may make the ground unplayable though. And there's no backup bye round or opposite fixture that the AFL can use to move this game to.

A more creative possible option if you have to postpone this game would be to move this game to round 14 (where the Suns have a bye) and move the R14 Essendon v Geelong game to round 16.

 

[Jirik13]

The overall amount of rain over the preceding few days may make the ground unplayable though. And there's no backup bye round or opposite fixture that the AFL can use to move this game to.

Carrara has perfect drainage. Previous days rain no issue. You will see unless we get something like 100mm just before game. If it's 100mm Sat morning no issue.

I like to move it to Sun.

 

[GC2015]

Close to sellout ? So another Essendon home game.

Were you in attendance for the Suns v Bombers game on the Gold Coast last year? I was there and it genuinely felt like a 50-50 crowd. In years goneby, it felt like there were more Essendon fans in attendance for that fixture on the GC, but last year was different. We had far more local engagement and sold out 40% of our home games for the season - for context the best we had done in any previous year was to have one sell out for the whole season against Collingwood. I suspect we'll see something close to another 50-50 crowd this weekend.

 

[Mr Meow]

New favourite before fremantle !?!? Surely you jest.

I can see the Bombers flying up this season, while Freo might get the ol' heave ho.