AFL Braces for Potential Opening Round Washout Amidst Severe Weather Warnings
The Australian Football League (AFL) is reportedly on high alert, anticipating the possibility of a second consecutive season being disrupted by weather during its Opening Round. Forecasts predict severe weather conditions to lash South East Queensland, raising concerns for the upcoming fixtures.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued stark warnings, indicating that a tropical cyclone could make landfall in northern Queensland, while simultaneously predicting heavy rainfall across the state’s southern regions. This dual threat presents a significant challenge for the AFL’s season launch.
Earlier this week, North East Queensland experienced a deluge, with over 100mm of rain falling on Tuesday night, prompting immediate flood warnings. The risk of flooding is not confined to the north, with predictions of 20-40mm of rain expected to drench Brisbane on Sunday, and a further 10-20mm anticipated for Saturday.
The Opening Round schedule sees two crucial AFL matches slated for Queensland. Geelong is set to face Gold Coast at People’s First Stadium on Friday night, followed by a highly anticipated clash between the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba on Saturday night.
This weather concern echoes a similar disruption last year, when a tropical cyclone forced the postponement of the Gold Coast versus Essendon game. The match was ultimately rescheduled and played out of the traditional Opening Round, pushing back to after Round 24. The AFL will be hoping to avoid a repeat of such an inconvenience.
NRL Also Faces Weather Woes as Season Kicks Off
The National Rugby League (NRL) is also navigating potential weather disruptions as it commences its own season. The Brisbane Broncos are scheduled to begin their premiership defence at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, taking on the formidable Penrith Panthers.
However, the NRL’s Opening Round is not immune to the predicted severe weather. Sunday’s fixture, featuring the Dolphins against the Rabbitohs, also at Suncorp Stadium, could bear the brunt of the inclement conditions.
This weekend represents a significant sporting spectacle for the region, with both the AFL and NRL launching their respective seasons on Australian soil. The AFL’s season is unfolding across Queensland and New South Wales, while the NRL’s domestic games commence from Thursday night.
Shifting Season Openers and the Tropical Cyclone Factor
A notable trend across both major football codes is the increasing tendency to launch their seasons earlier and earlier into March. While this aims to provide a more extended season and potentially avoid clashes with major sporting events like the AFL Grand Final, it also heightens the risk of colliding with Queensland’s tropical weather patterns.
Historically, the AFL consistently commenced its season in the final week of March, and sometimes even pushed into April, between 2010 and 2020. The introduction of the “Opening Round” has seen this timeline pulled forward significantly, with some seasons now kicking off almost three weeks earlier.
The NRL, in contrast, has generally maintained its season launch within the first two weeks of March during the same period. However, even the NRL has been kicking off its season with games in Las Vegas as early as March 2nd in recent years, with Australian-based games following shortly after.
Australia is currently in the midst of its tropical cyclone season, which typically spans from November to April. With the season already witnessing nine tropical cyclones, the potential for further weather-related disruptions remains a pertinent concern for both codes.
Despite these forecasts and historical precedents, both the AFL and NRL have indicated that all matches are currently proceeding as planned. Organisers will, however, be closely monitoring the weather situation and remaining prepared to implement contingency plans if necessary.
