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After a dominant season that ended in Grand Final heartbreak against the Brisbane Lions, the Sydney Swans are poised for a fresh start under new coach Dean Cox. The AFL’s 2025 season kicks off with a blockbuster Friday night showdown at the SCG, pitting the Swans against a resurgent Hawthorn side eager to build on their late-2024 momentum. Can Sydney shake off last year’s ghosts, or will the Hawks spoil their redemption arc?
Match Details
Date: Friday, 7 March 2025
Start Time:
7:40 pm AEST (Sydney/Melbourne)
7:10 pm ACST (Adelaide)
4:40 pm AWST (Perth)
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney
Free-to-Air: Not available on Channel 7 or 7mate.
Pay TV & Streaming:
Fox Footy (Foxtel, Foxtel from Telstra)
Binge (streaming platform)
Kayo Sports (best live-streaming option):
Kayo Standard: $25/month (1 screen, HD)
Kayo Premium: $40/month (2 screens, 4K UHD)
No lock-in contracts; 7-day free trial available
Radio: Triple M, ABC, AFL Nation
Sydney’s Fresh Start: Dean Cox takes the reins, aiming to rebuild the Swans’ psyche after their Grand Final collapse.
Hawthorn’s Rise: The Hawks closed 2024 strong—can they convert that momentum into an opening-round upset?
Weathering Disruptions: Cyclone delays and a chaotic off-season add intrigue to both teams’ preparations.
Monday & Tuesday:
The Agenda Setters (7pm local on 7mate/7plus):
Monday: Craig Hutchison hosts Kane Cornes, Caroline Wilson, and Nick Riewoldt.
Tuesday: Kane Cornes leads Dale Thomas, Luke Hodge, and Caroline Wilson.
Hot takes, breaking news, and unfiltered analysis.
Wednesday:
The Front Bar (8:30pm on Channel 7/7plus):
Mick Molloy, Sam Pang, and Andy Maher blend comedy and nostalgia with footy legends.
Unfiltered (9:30pm on Channel 7/7plus):
Hamish McLachlan’s deep-dive interviews with AFL stars.
Thursday:
Thursday Night Footy (7pm AEDT on Seven/7plus):
Hosts: Rebecca Maddern & Hamish McLachlan
Callers: Brian Taylor & McLachlan
Experts: Cornes, Riewoldt, Hodge
Extra Time: Post-game analysis led by Nick Riewoldt.
Roaming Brian: BT’s locker-room antics post-match (stream on 7plus).
Friday:
Friday Night Footy (7pm AEDT on Seven/7mate/7plus):
Hosts: Abbey Holmes & James Brayshaw
Callers: Brayshaw & Alister Nicholson
Experts: Matthew Richardson, Dale Thomas + guest stars like Scott Pendlebury.
Saturday:
State League Spotlight: VFL, SANFL, and WAFL highlights on Seven/7plus.
Sunday:
Sunday Footy Feast (12pm AEDT): Jason Richardson, Campbell Brown, and Kate McCarthy preview the day.
Sunday Afternoon Footy (2:30pm AEDT): Abbey Holmes hosts with rotating experts.
The Wash Up (6pm AEDT): Weekend recap with Richardson, Holmes, Brown, and McCarthy.
Kane’s Call (7pm AEDT on 7plus): Kane Cornes’ fiery post-round analysis.
A clash of ambition vs. resilience. For Sydney, it’s about proving last year’s finale was a fluke. For Hawthorn, it’s a chance to signal their return as contenders. Tune in for high stakes, fresh tactics, and the roar of a new AFL season.