The Gold Coast SUNS will have to wait a little longer to get its 2025 AFL season underway following the postponement of the Opening Round clash against Essendon.
Previously scheduled for Saturday afternoon at People First Stadium, the impending arrival of Cyclone Alfred in South-East Queensland has seen both Opening Round matches in the region put on hold.
The weather system is predicted to bring several hundred millimetres of rain to parts of the South-East, along with destructive winds.
It’s not the first time Mother Nature has played a leading role in a SUNS season opener.
Almost seven years ago to the day, in what was former Senior Coach Stuart Dew’s first match at the helm, Cairns’ Cazaly Stadium best resembled a swimming pool in the build-up to the Round 1 date against North Melbourne.
North Queensland had been lashed by torrential rain brought on by Cyclone Nora with 3,722 dedicated fans braving the elements to witness a low-scoring 16 point SUNS win. Unsurprisingly, all 12 goals were kicked at one end of the ground.
Experienced SUNS ruck Jarrod Witts was one of eight current players who took the field that day and has vivid memories of the day with the heaviest of downfalls coming in the half-hour before first bounce.
"We were umming and ahhing about 20 minutes (before the game) about whether we were going to play or not," Witts recalled.
We won’t see a repeat in 2025 with the AFL making the decision on Tuesday to postpone the 2025 season opener.
The safety of our supporters, players and staff remains the number one priority. Although our dedicated GC SUNS members and supporters won’t be able to cheer their side on at home this weekend, the safety of our local community is paramount. Updated fixture details be communicated once it has been rescheduled.
Stay safe SUNS family!
