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AFL 2026: Preliminary Finals in Focus
Two preliminary finals, two comebacks, and two sides that lost a qualifying final ended up in the Grand Final anyway. Fremantle trailed Sydney by 28 points in the third quarter at the SCG and kicked the last six goals of the night. Brisbane led Hawthorn by 28 in the fourth at the MCG and had to survive a 12-goal final term to get home by nine. Neither favourite in the pre-finals market is in the decider.
Catch up on the preliminary finals preview, the semi-final results, or follow the full draw on our AFL finals bracket.
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18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Fremantle 12.11 (83) def Sydney 10.11 (71)
How it unfolded
Friday 18 September, the SCG. Sydney led by 28 points in the third quarter and looked to be heading to a home Grand Final, then did not kick a goal in the last quarter. Fremantle kicked 5.4 to 0.1 in the final term, the last six goals of the match, with Isiah Dudley and Shai Bolton driving the comeback. It is Fremantle’s second Grand Final and their first since 2013, when Hawthorn beat them by 15. The club has never won a premiership.
The full record in this fixture, now 4-4 across the last eight meetings, is on our Fremantle v Sydney head-to-head page.
Brisbane 20.11 (131) def Hawthorn 19.8 (122)
How it unfolded
Saturday 19 September, the MCG, in front of 97,835. Twelve goals were kicked between the sides in the final term alone. Brisbane were 28 points up in the fourth and Hawthorn came at them in waves, before Hugh McCluggage goaled after Jarman Impey was pinged for holding the ball with 36 seconds left, and Kai Lohmann’s fifth of the night after the siren settled it. Brisbane are into a fourth straight Grand Final and are chasing a third straight premiership after 2024 and 2025.
Brisbane have now won four of the six meetings with Hawthorn since 2023. The full record is on our Brisbane v Hawthorn head-to-head page.
How our tips went
One from two. We were on Sydney in the first preliminary final on freshness and a five-game winning run, and they were 28 points clear before the game turned. We were on Brisbane in the second and they got there by nine. The read that carried across both nights was that a week off is worth less in this finals series than it looks: Sydney and Hawthorn both had the double chance, home ground and a week’s rest, and both lost.
The bracket after the preliminary finals
| Stage | Result | Venue | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary final | Fremantle 12.11 (83) def. Sydney 10.11 (71) | S.C.G. | Last six goals of the night from 28 down |
| Preliminary final | Brisbane 20.11 (131) def. Hawthorn 19.8 (122) | M.C.G. | Lohmann five; McCluggage goals with 36 seconds left |
| Grand Final | Fremantle v Brisbane | M.C.G. | Saturday 26 September, 2:30pm AEST |
The Grand Final
Fremantle against Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday 26 September. It is the clearest contrast the finals could have produced: a club that has never won a premiership against one chasing three in a row, and two sides that both lost a qualifying final and took the long way. Brisbane have won three of the five meetings since 2023, though Fremantle won the most recent, by 25 at the Gabba in round 12 this season.
Our full build-up is on the AFL Grand Final hub, the fixture record is on the Fremantle v Brisbane head-to-head page, and Norm Smith Medal betting opens now that both sides are known.
Preliminary final talking points
- The double chance was worth nothing. Sydney and Hawthorn both earned a home preliminary final and a week off, and both lost. The two sides that had to win a semi-final are the ones in the decider.
- Last quarters decided both. Fremantle kicked 5.4 to 0.1 in the final term; Hawthorn and Brisbane combined for 12 goals in theirs. Neither game was decided before the last change.
- Fremantle have never won a flag. Their only previous Grand Final was the 2013 loss to Hawthorn. Brisbane are going for a third consecutive premiership.
Looking for the best bookmakers to bet on the AFL finals?
Compare markets and prices for the Grand Final across the best AFL betting sites in Australia.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Exclusive 365AUCODE referral code: bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers.18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au