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The 2025 AFL season is finally set to kick off on Friday, March 7th, and it’s been an eventful lead-up with two Queensland games cancelled due to extreme weather. Now, all eyes turn to the Sydney Swans, who will host the Hawthorn Hawks under the Friday night lights at the SCG to launch Round 0.
The Swans will be eager to bounce back after making it to last year’s Grand Final, only to fall short against the Brisbane Lions. Under new coach Dean Cox, they’ll be looking to start strong, but they’ll have to do it without star wingman Errol Gulden.
The Hawks were one of the league’s biggest stories last season, storming home with 13 wins from their last 16 games. They’ve bolstered their backline with the additions of Tom Barrass and Josh Battle, complementing an exciting young core that continues to develop.
Sydney is coming off a 63-84 preseason win over the Suns, while Hawthorn fell 66-77 to the Bulldogs. Preseason results can be tricky to gauge, but both teams will be fired up for a big opening-night blockbuster.
Here is a Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn Hawks Prediction for Round 0, Friday the 7th of March 2025.
Be sure to check back before each AFL Match for AFL Tips, AFL Predictions, AFL Picks, AFL Previews, AFL Tipping and AFL Quick Facts for each match of the 2025 AFL Season.
Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn Hawks
Venue – SCG
Bouncedown – 7.40PM EST
2024 Season Record
| Team | W-L-D | Home | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 17-6-0 | 9-2 | 8-4 |
| Hawthorn | 14-9-0 | 8-3 | 6-6 |
2024 Season Scoring
| Team | Pts | Opp Pts | Game Total Ave |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 97.5 | 76.9 | 174.4 |
| Hawthorn | 90.9 | 76.6 | 167.5 |
Quick Game Facts
- The Swans are fast starters, winning each of their last five season openers
- Sydney has won each of its last four matches at the SCG by a margin of 1-39 points
- Low-scoring trend? Eight of Hawthorn’s last nine away games have gone UNDER the total match points line
- Tom Papley has recorded 15+ disposals in four of his last five appearances at the SCG.
- Karl Amon has recorded 20+ disposals in each of Hawthorn’s last nine away matches
- The Swans have won their last three against the Hawks by an average of 66 Points
Prediction
This season opener presents a fascinating matchup, with potential rain in the forecast adding another layer of intrigue. Wet conditions could play into the Swans’ hands at home, but they’ll need to overcome some key injury concerns. History is on their side—they’ve dominated Hawthorn in recent meetings, winning the last three by an average of 66 points. However, the Hawks are a rising force, finishing last season in red-hot form and strengthening their backline over the offseason. Expect a tough, physical contest under the Friday night lights, but the Swans may just rise to the occasion and start the Dean Cox era with a statement win.