The AFL have announced the new times of two postponed matches between Brisbane and Geelong, and Gold Coast and Essendon, after the threat of Cyclone Alfred forced the two games to be rescheduled.
As fears of Cyclone Alfred grew throughout the week, the AFL made the call to postpone the season opener between the Lions and Cats at the Gabba, while Saturday's Gold Coast and Essendon clash was also canned for this weekend.
The decision was the tough but correct call to make, with players and their families' safety and welfare paramount.
Brisbane skipper Lachie Neale confessed onย AFL 360ย this week he would not have travelled to Victoria if the game had been moved to Geelong's home deck, with flights from Brisbane Airport cancelled from Thursday due to the developing wild weather.
It is likely a multitude of Lions and Suns players would not have travelled this weekend, with NRL team The Dolphins suggesting as much, naming three key players that would not travel to New South Wales for the rival code's relocated game on Friday.
Instead, the Lions and Cats, who fortunately share a bye week, will play in Round 3. Scheduled for 6.35pm (local time) at the Gabba on Saturday, March 29, the highly-anticipated preliminary final rematch will commence sooner than Essendon and Gold Coast.
The Bombers and Suns will instead play an additional game in Round 24 as well as their current respective matches against Port Adelaide and Carlton.
The AFL hope the final round of the season and the pre-finals bye will accommodate both clubs with the best of all floated options, aiming to maximise the breaks between Round 24, the rescheduled game, and week one of finals.
Other ideas included a game in between Rounds 17 and 18, although it would provide both clubs with a four or five-day break at most, whilst reshuffling other fixtures was also considered.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the AFL focussed on causing the least amount of disruption to the AFL fixture as possible.
"When looking at the rescheduling of these matches we had a focus on having the least amount of disruption on the competition, ensuring that all clubs still have a mid-season bye and managing travel arrangements across the season โ particularly for the four impacted clubs," Dillon said.
โI would like to thank our clubs, broadcasters and venues for their cooperation during this unprecedented situation and our thoughts remain with our staff, players, fans and all those in southeast Queensland and northern NSW that may be impacted.โ
The Round 24 floating fixture, including the rescheduled match, will be announced at a similar date to previous seasons.
