The second round of the 2025 Mid South East Football League season will directly clash with the AFL’s third Gather Round.


All 18 AFL clubs will compete between April 10-13 at Adelaide Oval, suburban venue Norwood Oval and at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley.


When the inaugural Gather Round was announced SANFL chief executive Darren Chandler said his organisation would encourage and work with all affiliated leagues across the state to consider having byes.


However, the MSEFL has chosen not to do so for the third consecutive season.


The inaugural edition of Gather Round in SA was a roaring success, with all nine matches sold out.


After that success, the AFL signed a deal with the South Australian Government to host the event again until at least 2026.


Meanwhile, the MSEFL has released the 2025 program after it was ratified by club delegates at the annual general meeting in Millicent on Tuesday night.


A draft program was provided to MSEFL clubs a few weeks ago and no changes were made.


There are the customary competition-wide byes on the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend on June 7 for the annual SE Zone football championships along with July 12 for the 2023 SA Country Championships at Port Pirie.


There is a bye on the Easter holiday long weekend on April 19.


The MSEFL season will come to a close on September 20 when the grand final is played at Robe.


This is exactly one-week before the AFL season decider is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.


The 2025 schedule throws up some interesting encounters.


Reigning wooden spooners Kongorong will host reigning premiers Hatherleigh in the opening round on April 5.


In recent years, the annual seaside meeting of Hatherleigh and Robe had an Anzac Day theme and was timed around April 25.


This will be held on April 26 in 2025 and will be a replay of the 2024 grand final.