In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated AFL clash between Collingwood and St Kilda, originally scheduled for Saturday night at Marvel Stadium, has been officially postponed due to unforeseen venue-related complications, the AFL confirmed in a statement released early Friday morning.
The blockbuster match was set to see the Magpies enter as overwhelming favourites against a struggling Saints outfit that was soundly defeated by the Western Bulldogs last week. Despite St Kilda’s recent form slump, there had been considerable build-up to the encounter, particularly around the much-discussed match-up involving tagger Marcus Windhager and Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos.
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon had earlier confirmed Windhager would once again take on a critical tagging role, likely targeting either Nick or his brother Josh Daicos — both key contributors in Collingwood’s dynamic midfield. Windhager had been praised for his efforts in restricting Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli to just 14 disposals last weekend, and Lyon was expected to stick with the tactic against the in-form Daicos brothers.
However, late Thursday night, officials conducting routine inspections at Marvel Stadium uncovered a structural fault in the roof mechanism following recent adverse weather in Melbourne. Safety concerns around spectator seating and lighting integrity forced stadium operators to close the venue temporarily.
“The safety of players, staff, and fans is our top priority,” the AFL said in a statement. “After consulting with both clubs and Marvel Stadium management, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Saturday night’s match between Collingwood and St Kilda. We are working quickly to reschedule the fixture and will communicate updates as soon as possible.”
The postponement marks the first time in the 2025 AFL season that a match has been delayed due to venue issues. While Collingwood fans expressed disappointment over the disruption, many acknowledged that safety must come first.
“This is a huge match for us, but you can’t take chances with crowd safety,” said one Magpies supporter on social media. “Hopefully it gets rescheduled soon and everyone stays safe.”
There is now growing speculation that the game could be moved to a midweek timeslot or possibly played at the MCG, depending on ground availability. AFL officials are also considering a Sunday night rescheduling, though that would clash with existing broadcast schedules.
For St Kilda, the delay may prove to be a blessing in disguise. The team, currently battling injuries and inconsistency, will gain valuable time to recover and regroup. Ross Lyon is expected to use the extended break to reassess his game plan and fine-tune his team’s response to Collingwood’s dominant ball movement and forward pressure.
As for Collingwood, coach Craig McRae said the team would adjust accordingly and keep their focus. “We’ll use the extra time to stay sharp and keep preparing. It’s a setback, but we’re professionals—we adapt.”
Fans from both camps now await the AFL’s revised schedule announcement, as attention turns to when, and where, this fiery fixture will finally be played.
