The AFL season opener scheduled for Thursday night between the Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats has been postponed due to the approach of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, raising significant concerns for the safety of players and fans alike. Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan expressed his frustration, likening the situation to the uncertainty experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cyclone Alfred poses a serious threat, as Fagan noted, “I’ve seen the carnage that they’ve caused at different points in Australian history, so I’m not too keen on the idea of things going ahead if it’s going to be like that.” The Lions and Cats face a potential rescheduling in round three since both teams have a bye that week.
In addition to the Lions and Cats postponement, the AFL has also announced that the match between the Gold Coast Suns and Essendon will not take place as scheduled on Saturday, with further details on rescheduling to follow. Similarly, in rugby league, the NRL Dolphins’ match against the Rabbitohs will now occur at Sydney’s Commbank Stadium instead of Suncorp Stadium.
Other sporting events have also been affected: the Roar cancelled their women’s match at Perry Park, with plans to likely reschedule it for the following week. Various competitions, including the Australian Boardriders Battle, Queensland Surf Life Saving Championships, and Women’s A-League, have either been postponed or cancelled.
Organisers of the Green Day concert at CBUS Stadium and the Jewel Race Meeting on the Gold Coast are keeping a close watch on the cyclone’s trajectory. Additionally, the fluctuating weather is expected to impact junior sports, amateur competitions, and countless community events, with more cancellations likely as the situation develops.
As the city braces for Cyclone Alfred’s impact, the sporting community is feeling the disruption acutely, echoing past challenges faced during health crises and highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of event scheduling to nature’s unpredictability.