AFL Postpones Opening Matches Due to Cyclone Threat
The AFL has postponed its Opening Round matches in Queensland as Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches. The Brisbane Lions and Geelong Cats clash, set for Thursday at the Gabba, will not go ahead. The league has also postponed the Gold Coast Suns vs. Essendon game at Carrara Stadium on Saturday.
Also Read: Tropical Cyclone Alfred: Brisbane Braces for Impact
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon stressed the priority was ensuring safety. “It is a very uncertain situation that is unfolding, and our thoughts are with everyone in south-east Queensland and northern NSW,” he said. The league made the decision early to give clubs and fans certainty.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan supported the postponement, saying the sooner the decision was made, the better. “It’s just a game of football,” he said. “The safety of family and friends and staff and fans is the priority.”
Figure 1: Brisbane and Geelong won’t be required to play in cyclone conditions. (Getty Images: AFL/Russell Freeman)
Northern NSW Prepares for Cyclone Impact
Communities in north-east New South Wales are bracing for heavy rainfall and possible flooding. The category two system is expected to make landfall in Brisbane’s northern suburbs late Thursday or early Friday.
Also Read: Western Power Outages Leave Thousands Without Electricity in Perth
Lismore, devastated by floods in 2022, is once again preparing. The Northern Rivers Hotel in North Lismore, which only recently reopened, is moving its stock to other businesses to prevent losses.
Britney Gwynne, the pub’s manager, said the community was doing its best to prepare. “Obviously there’s a little bit of angst in the area, just unsure what’s going to happen,” she said.
Backup Communication Plans in Place
Byron Shire residents are concerned about communication blackouts. The local council has provided Starlink satellite internet to maintain connectivity if phone and internet services fail.
Rebecca McNaught from the South Golden Beach Community Resilience Team highlighted how crucial communication was. “One of the big issues after 2022 was that we had comms down for a very long time,” she said.
Tourists Weigh Their Options
Backpackers in Byron Bay are considering relocating south to avoid the cyclone. Charlotte Molema and Emma Tissot Fravre, who arrived in Australia recently, are unsure what to do.
Molema said their parents in Brussels and Belgium were calling them, urging them to move to Coffs Harbour. “It’s a beautiful place to be,” she said, “but with the weather… we were at first scared.”
Supermarkets and Sandbags in High Demand
Shops across the Northern Rivers are experiencing long queues as people stock up on essentials. Lismore MP Janelle Saffin urged residents to buy only what they needed for 72 hours. “We’re seeing empty shelves,” she said.
The SES has established multiple sandbag collection points, ordering more than 50,000 sandbags. SES incident commander Joanna Jones assured the community that supplies would be replenished regularly.
Josh Bond, whose Mullumbimby property flooded in 2022, said he was not taking any chances. “You can’t be too prepared, but you can be unprepared,” he said.
Farmers Move Livestock to Higher Ground
Dairy and beef cattle farmers in the Tweed Valley are relocating their animals to avoid floodwaters.
Debra Allard, a dairy producer, said her farm had plenty of high land to keep cows safe for several days. Beef cattle producer Bruce Lyle noted that some farmers were seeking urgent livestock sales before the worst of the weather hit.
NSW Local Land Services advised farmers to move machinery, remove debris, and take all necessary precautions.
Football Queensland Suspends All Activities
Football Queensland has suspended all football activities across South East Queensland from Wednesday morning until further notice.
The suspension affects the Metro, South Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Darling Downs regions. Football Queensland will assess the situation and provide another update on Monday, 10 March.
All participants are urged to follow government warnings and stay updated. Football Queensland will work with clubs on rescheduling fixtures once conditions improve.
Cyclone Alfred’s Impact Could Be Severe
Meteorologists warn that Cyclone Alfred could bring widespread flooding, damaging winds, and storm surges. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to evacuate early.
While Queensland and northern NSW prepare, many hope the cyclone weakens before landfall. However, communities are not taking any risks, ensuring they are as prepared as possible.
