Essendon are expected to join the Opening Round fixture for the 2025 AFL season, with the Bombers tipped to venture north to the Gold Coast and meet the Suns to kickstart their next campaign.
Several Victorian clubs are in the mix to feature in the season-opening round, which will again be held in the two northern states of Queensland and New South Wales as the Suns, Brisbane, Sydney and GWS each host a match to open their respective seasons.
Reports have hinted reigning premiers Brisbane could open the 2025 season with a flag unfurling at the Gabba to commence their premiership defence, with Geelong - the team they defeated in September to book a spot in the season decider - a likely opponent for Opening Round.
That game would fall on the Thursday, with Sydney vs Hawthorn to take place the following night at the SCG.
Collingwood are expected to return for Opening Round and would again face off against GWS in Sydney's west, leaving the Suns' opponent as the last remaining vacancy to be filled.
According to The Age, Essendon are expected to face the Suns at Carrara, with the two clubs to meet for the first time since Mac Andrew's match-winning goal after the siren in August.
The match at People First Stadium would fall on the Saturday along with the GWS vs Collingwood game, with one in the afternoon and the other at night.
The Opening Round arrivals of Geelong, Essendon and Hawthorn will see all three clubs, along with last year's five participants, scheduled for a bye early into the home and away season.
Richmond (vs Gold Coast), Melbourne (vs Sydney) and Carlton (vs Brisbane) all featured in Opening Round last year, with the Blues the only travelling side to claim a win - defeating the Lions by a point.
The AFL is expected to release the remaining fixture details later this month, with a full release potentially coming as early as this week.