Last Updated on: 7th March 2025, 07:59 am
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
How to Watch Sydney Swans vs. Hawthorn AFL
Free-to-Air: Not available on Channel 7 or 7mate.
Pay TV & Streamings:
- Fox Footy (Foxtel, Foxtel from Telstra)
- Binge
- Kayo Sports :
- 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
Preview
- 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.
