The first round of the 2025 AFL season saw Brisbane win the rematch of the 2024 Grand Final, Richmond produce an incredible upset and Geelong produce a statement to the rest of the competition.
Brisbane triumphs in 2024 Grand Final rematch
The 2024 Grand Final rematch went down to the final seconds, with the Brisbane Lions once again emerging victorious over the Sydney Swans. Winning by four points, the Lions were led by four goals from Zac Bailey and 27 possessions from Josh Dunkley and Jarrod Berry in hot and humid conditions.
The win meant even more for coach Chris Fagan as Brisbane were without Joe Daniher (return), Charlie Cameron (late omission), Sam Day (personal reasons), Kai Lohmann (injury) and Brandon Starcevich (concussion).
Initially named as the sub, Levi Ashcroft’s first game of AFL saw him involved in six score involvements, gather 25 possessions and show that he is the favourite to claim the 2025 Rising Star award.
“It was one of our great wins today, I reckon as a group,” Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“If you look back over what’s happened over the last two weeks, we had an interrupted preparation for this game, obviously with the cyclone threat up in Brisbane.
“We lose Charlie (Cameron) before the game, Sam Day’s dad passes away, and those two boys have been practicing in the forward line all summer, and then suddenly, two or three days out, they’re not there. We lose Kai Lohmann early in the game and Starcevich in the last quarter.”
That left boot of BJ from that angle is elite 🔥#AFLSwansLions #Bloods pic.twitter.com/t6kKvq5pVu
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) March 15, 2025
Richmond stuns Carlton in Thursday night blockbuster
After claiming the wooden spoon in 2024, the Richmond Tigers stunned premiership favourite Carlton to open up Round 1 in a Thursday night blockbuster, which could arguably be described as one of the greatest upsets this season.
Leading by 41 points at one stage in the second term, the second-half was all Richmond as they came back from the deficit and ended up winning by 13 points. Like many Tigers matches, Tim Taranto was their best on ground with 30 disposals and three tackles, whilst Thomson Dow had an under-rated but stellar showing with nine tackles and 22 touches.
“You get a lot of belief in the things that’ve been training. We’ve trained a lot around our system, our method, but a lot around our mental mastery. So for our players, a young group, they’ve got to learn how to deal with momentum,” Richmond coach Adam Yze said.
“That was almost the most pleasing part of the game, not letting that scoreboard impact the way that we wanted to play. For them to reset and go back to their anchors and get back out there and execute.
“We knew it was going to take a little bit of time, just wanted to chip away at it, but to the boys’ credit, their spirit and energy didn’t waver at all, which is all I can ask.”
Just to revel in this clip a bit more, watch how Lalor, in his first game and must be absolutely gassed, burns off the Carlton chasers to chase his hack kick. pic.twitter.com/XztBpKUuSn
— Richmond Tiger Talk (@Richmond_TT) March 13, 2025
Geelong produce a statement against Fremantle
Watch out, teams – Geelong has arrived! Playing at home, the Cats produced a dominant display against the Fremantle Dockers, which saw them walk away with a 78-point win. The final score could have been even greater if they had not let their opponents back into the game during the third quarter.
Jeremy Cameron (4), Tyson Stengle (3) and Olive Henry (3) all chipped in with multiple goals to take the match away from their opponents who couldn’t withstand Geelong’s pressure around the ball but especially coming out of their own defensive 50 in which they made several mistakes in.
Meanwhile, Bailey Smith was incredibly impressive in his first performance for his new side since joining from the Western Bulldogs. The midfield-forward secured 32 disposals, made five tackles and five marks and even kicked his first goal in the famed blue and white.
“There are a number of things beyond just the result that we were happy with, but I thought our ability to make it a bit harder for them to play their game with our pressure around the ball was right up there with the most impressive bits,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said.
“We know we’re not a team that can just go out and play our way without any concern or work into the opposition, the competition across the board, it’s just way too good these days.
“There’s too much talent around that if you go out and just hope that your talent versus their talent is going to get the job done.”
Two important marks in quick succession result in a goal and assist for Shannon 💪 #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/A0ksehEdFe
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) March 15, 2025