Afl The 2026 AFL Grand Final is here, with the Fremantle Dockers and Brisbane Lions preparing to meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a highly anticipated premiership decider.
The match is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, with the opening bounce set for 2:30pm AEST at the MCG. Brisbane enters the contest seeking a third consecutive premiership, while Fremantle is chasing the first AFL flag in the club’s history.
Brisbane chasing a historic three-peat
Brisbane has reached the Grand Final for the fourth consecutive season. After losing the 2023 decider to Collingwood, the Lions captured consecutive premierships against Sydney and Geelong in 2024 and 2025.
A victory over Fremantle would give Brisbane its third straight flag and another remarkable chapter in the club’s modern history. The Lions previously achieved a three-peat from 2001 to 2003.
Brisbane booked its place in this year’s Grand Final with a dramatic preliminary-final victory over Hawthorn. The Lions prevailed 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122), with Hugh McCluggage kicking a decisive goal late in the match before Kai Lohmann added another after the final centre bounce.
Fremantle chasing its first premiership
For Fremantle, the Grand Final represents another opportunity to secure the club’s first AFL premiership.
The Dockers entered the competition in 1995 and are appearing in their second Grand Final. Their previous appearance came in 2013, when they were defeated by Hawthorn.
Fremantle earned its place in the 2026 decider with a remarkable comeback against Sydney. The Dockers recovered from a 28-point deficit and kicked five unanswered goals in the final quarter to secure a 12-point preliminary-final victory.
Neale cleared to play
Brisbane received an important boost before the Grand Final when midfielder Lachie Neale was cleared to take part.
Neale’s one-match suspension was overturned on appeal after he was initially sanctioned for an incident involving Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan. The decision means the dual Brownlow medallist is available for Brisbane’s premiership clash with his former club Fremantle.
A first Grand Final meeting
Saturday’s match is also historic because it is the first time Fremantle and Brisbane have met in an AFL Grand Final.
The teams have already faced each other during the 2026 season. Fremantle won their most recent encounter at the Gabba, while their recent overall record against each other has been closely balanced.
That history adds another layer of intrigue to a Grand Final featuring two very different objectives: Brisbane’s pursuit of another premiership and Fremantle’s attempt to win its first.
Grand Final day at the MCG
The Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the 2026 premiership decider, with the opening bounce scheduled for 2:30pm AEST.
As the game unfolds, live coverage will focus on the opening exchanges, scoring plays, momentum swings, key individual performances and the race for the premiership.
The 2026 AFL Grand Final promises to be a significant day for both clubs, with Brisbane attempting to extend its recent dominance and Fremantle looking to create the biggest moment in its history.
Source: theguardian