Port Adelaide and Hawthorn will resume hostilities from their controversial 2024 semi final showdown as the headline act for 2025’s Gather Round.
The marquee round, which will take place entirely in South Australia for the third consecutive season, sees the Hawks, who bowed out of the 2024 finals series with a thrilling three-point win over the Power that ended with captain James Sicily confronting Port coach Ken Hinkley over a post-match taunt aimed at Jack Ginnivan, face a rematch with their conquerors on Sunday, with a start time yet to be determined.
The round will also feature the debut of the AFL’s newest venue, with two matches – North Melbourne vs Gold Coast on Saturday and Richmond vs Fremantle on Sunday – taking place in the Barossa Valley.
The ground takes over the previous Mt Barker venue as the third location for Gather Round games, with Norwood Oval also hosting a pair of matches despite claims the ground is of insufficient quality to host AFL games.
“Gather Round is the best of our game, a celebration of footy like no other,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said in a statement.
“South Australia really turns it on, and we are excited to bring fans a bigger and better experience in 2025 with some great match ups and a new venue at Barossa Park.
“The Barossa celebrates some of the best of South Australia and we are excited about all the opportunities that will be on offer for our fans to take in while visiting the region, outside of the two incredible games that will be played at the new Barossa Park in Lyndoch.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas described the new Barossa location as a ‘spectacular destination’, with the aim of giving visitors an opportunity to extend their stay in the region world-famous for its wine.
“I’m thrilled we are on track to deliver two matches in the Barossa, a spectacular destination for the many visitors who will come into South Australia for this major event,” he said.
“This presents a unique opportunity to invite those visitors to stay longer, experiencing more of what SA has to offer, and delivering an economic outcome for our state.”
The remaining 2025 AFL fixture, including Opening Round, is set to be revealed in coming weeks.
FULL GATHER ROUND FIXTURE (all times TBD)
Thursday, April 10
Adelaide vs Geelong, Adelaide Oval
Friday, April 11
Collingwood vs Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, April 12
Carlton vs West Coast, Adelaide Oval
North Melbourne vs Gold Coast, Barossa Park
Western Bulldogs vs Brisbane, Norwood Oval
Essendon vs Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
Sunday, April 13
Richmond vs Fremantle, Barossa Park
St Kilda vs GWS, Norwood Oval
Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn, Adelaide Oval
