AFL CEO Andrew Dillon says that the announcement of the postponed fixture between Gold Coast and Essendon, which is set in Round 24, will be revealed "in the next week or so".
Following extenuating circumstances due to the unforeseen tropical cyclone Alfred that surged through Queensland in March, the Opening Round clash was moved, along with the Brisbane and Geelong match.
Fortunately for the Lions and Cats, as well as the AFL, they were able to reschedule their contest to Round 3, when both clubs had their first bye. It wasn't as simple for the Suns and Bombers.
There have been indications that the Suns could host Essendon at People First Stadium on the Wednesday following Round 24, leading into the pre-finals bye.
The floating fixture, which has yet to be confirmed by the AFL, is the last remaining part of the 2025 schedule to be confirmed, including the stray game.
"That's the last fixture, so that's the final part of flexing the fixture," Dillon said on Tuesday, according to AFL Media.
"So we're working through that at the moment, I reckon we'll be making an announcement on that in the next week or so."
The clash between Gold Coast and Essendon could have huge ramifications for the former, who is bound to make a maiden finals appearance after 15 years.
The Suns, who sit eighth with a game in hand, could use the game against the Bombers to propel them towards the top four, depending on how results go over the next four weeks.
In theory, Gold Coast, who are expected to beat the Bombers, could be sitting in fifth, or even fourth, given the struggles Essendon has faced, if all games had been played.
