The AFL has taken on the considerations from the Queensland Government and the Bureau of Meteorology, opting to postpone Thursday's clash with Brisbane and Geelong and Saturday's match between Gold Coast and Essendon.
Both the Cats and Lions have their first bye of the season in Round 3, making it the logical solution to the delay in the fixture.
The Essendon-Gold Coast clash is a logistical nightmare given the two clubs don't share byes in 2025.
The Suns have their two byes in Round 2 and 14, while the Bombers have theirs in Round 4 and 16.
It is understood, according to Channel 9's Tom Morris, that the AFL is considering moving existing clashes for the two clubs a day or two either way so their fixture can be played in the middle.
It is understood that the league is attempting to avoid playing the contest in the pre-finals bye, given the Bombers will need to travel.
The AFL believes there are two realistic options to reschedule the @GoldCoastSUNS v @essendonfc gameโฆ
1) Move existing Suns & Dons matches a day or two either way so it can squeeze in the middle. This is clearly more of an option around byes. (Rds 2 & 14 for GC - Rds 4 & 16โฆ
โ Tom Morris (@tommorris32) March 4, 2025
The 2025 season openers was in jeopardy due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is set to descend onto south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales in the coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast read: "Destructive wind gusts exceeding 130km/h possible depending on the movement and development of Tropical Cyclone Alfred".
The area of south-eastern Queensland hasn't seen a tropical cyclone make landfall as a categorised system in 33 years.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon has confirmed the postponement of the two matches, but has yet to decide when they will be rescheduled too.
"As I said yesterday, the priority is that we do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of everyone in and around any potential cyclone zone or community impacted by the forecast heavy rains and storm surges," Dillon said.
"It is a very uncertain situation that is unfolding, and our thoughts are with everyone in southeast Queensland and northern NSW that may be impacted. Ultimately, we hope this weather event doesn't eventuate, but we know everyone needs to prepare accordingly and we don't want our games to be a distraction to those preparations.
"We want to make the decision now to give clubs and fans certainty in an uncertain environment and allow anyone from Queensland who would normally be involved in this game through coaching, playing, attending or working at the venue time to be home with their families and available in the community if required."
Earlier, Lions coach Chris Fagan put his two cents in, saying the game comes second to the health and safety of the community.
"I'm a people first person," Fagan said on Tuesday, according to AFL Media.
"It's not a tropical thunderstorm, it's a cyclone. I have never been in one, so I don't know what to expect. But I've seen the carnage they've caused at different periods in Australian history.
"I'm not too keen on the idea of things going ahead if it's going to be like that. It can't, can it?
"The sooner the decision's made, the better."
Geelong coach Chris Scott shared the same sentiment as Fagan.
"We do need to know. We have some players that are scheduled to get on a plane this afternoon, so we probably need some guidance," Scott said on SEN.
"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.
"If they (AFL) ask us to do something we feel is inappropriate then we will make that known at the time but we are a long way from that position now."
Opening Round will continue with Friday night's Sydney vs Hawthorn match at the SCG, and Sunday's GWS vs Collingwood match at ENGIE Stadium.
