The AFL community has come together to remember those who lost their lives in the Bondi Beach attack.
The tragedy, which took place on December 14, 2025, claimed the lives of 15 people and left another 40 injured.
Fans made their way into the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday night as the Sydney Swans got their 2026 AFL season underway against Carlton.
Before the match, Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich took to the field to welcome first responders to the SCG.
It was a hair-raising moment, with the iconic footy ground descending into silence as the Fremantle great spoke.
‘We come together this evening to honour those who were injured and to honour those who lost their lives at Bondi Beach in December,’ Pavlich said.
The AFL community has come together to remember those who tragically lost their lives in the Bondi Beach attack
First responders and local heroes, including Ahmed Al Ahmed, were welcomed onto the playing field and applauded before the Sydney Swans clash against Carlton
In a classy moment, coaches Michael Voss (left) and Dean Cox were seen shaking hands with the first responders and Al Ahmed (right)
‘Tonight, we stand with their families and friends united.
‘We also acknowledge the many brave men and women who assisted on the day and in the days and weeks which followed.
‘Tonight, we are joined by representatives from our brave first responders.’
Members of Ambulance NSW, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW Police and Surf Life Saving NSW were all present.
Other local heroes were also welcomed onto the footy field by Pavlich, including Ahmed Al Ahmed, who bravely wrestled a weapon off one of the gunmen during the attack.
Al Ahmed received a huge roar from the SCG crowd as he stepped onto the field. He held his arm in the air and bowed back to the crowd to acknowledge their support.
‘Thank you for your outstanding contribution. To all our community, we stand with you. At the Sydney Swans, respect is at the core of what we do. We want all to ensure that this is the experience they have of all the people who connect with our club and our great game of AFL.
‘At the Sydney Swans, everyone is welcome.’
Swans CEO Matthew Pavlich introduced the first responders onto the field ahead of the match
Al Ahmed received a huge cheer and bowed to say thank you to the fans inside the SCG
Dean Cox’s (right) side, would go on to claim a 132(20.12) to 60(10.9) victory against the Blues
Swans star Charlie Curnow (pictured) starred during their 63-point victory, which saw the hosts explode into the match in the third term following a slow start
A moment of silence was then held.
In another classy moment, Swans boss Dean Cox and Carlton coach Michael Voss were also seen walking up and down, shaking hands with the first responders who had made their way onto the pitch ahead of the match.
During this summer’s Ashes series, members of the Australian and English cricket teams had also paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the tragedy ahead of their game at the SCG.
Australia and England gave a guard of honour to the first responders and emergency services, before a moment’s silence was held.
The Swans would go on to claim a 132(20.12) to 60(10.9) victory against the Blues.
Perhaps still struggling to get into the groove of the new AFL season, Dean Cox’s side took a while to get going, with Carlton keeping them scoreless for the first 38 minutes of the match.
Even after Joel Amartey took the side’s first major in the ninth minute of the second quarter, the hosts still struggled to battle against a wave of Carlton attacks.
The Blues took a 22-point lead at the start of the third quarter, with Marc Pittonet bagging a brace of goals, while Ashton Moir also found the middle of the goal.
But in what was a brutally dominant display of football, the Swans exploded, booting 12 goals in the third quarter to go 39 points ahead of their opponents.
It was kick-started by a quickfire duo of goals from Justin McInerney, with the home side going on to kick six unanswered goals, as they piled the pressure on their Victorian opponents.
Logan McDonald, Isaac Heeney, Charlie Curnow and Amartey all got on the score sheet, with the Swans continuing their dominance into the final quarter, kicking another six majors, to seal the 63-point victory.
