Pressure is mounting on the AFL to postpone Thursday night’s season opener in Brisbane, as the impact of Cyclone Alfred looms.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli will hold a press conference at 2pm (AEDT), where he will detail the crisis plans he has for his state ahead of the expected wild and wet weather.
Waiting game: Lions coach Chris Fagan and co-captain Lachie Neale expect to have to wait to unfurl their premiership flag.Credit: Eddie Jim
The AFL will release its final decision on whether the clash between the Lions and Geelong goes ahead after the press conference.
On Tuesday morning, Lions coach Chris Fagan called for the game to be postponed.
“It’s just a game of football. The safety of family, friends, staff and fans is the priority, so that’s why common sense has to prevail,” Fagan said.
Cats coach Chris Scott and his team were due to fly to Brisbane in the next 24 hours.
“Even in principle, the idea of getting on a plane and flying into the eye of a cyclone doesn’t sound like a great idea,” Scott said on Tuesday.
Fagan said the fact both teams had the bye in round three made moving the clash the ideal solution.
The AFL will also need to make a call on whether Saturday’s clash between the Suns and Essendon on the Gold Coast goes ahead.
The Bureau of Meteorology said Alfred was forecast to cross the south-east Queensland coast at category 2 strength late on Thursday or early Friday.
More to come
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