How did Fremantle and Brisbane reach the ultimate stage in Australian football? Their journey culminated in a remarkable weekend of intense matches.
Brisbane’s Thrilling Victory
The Lions’ thrilling victory over the Hawks is considered one of the best games in the history of Australian rules football, and Jonathan Horn makes a compelling case for both sides.
Dockers Secure Grand Final Spot
On the previous night at the SCG, Jonathan witnessed as the Dockers turned the tide late in the third quarter, overcoming the Swans to secure a spot in their second AFL grand final.
Jai Arrow was present at the official AFL grand final breakfast in Melbourne, where his recent diagnosis with motor neurone disease at the age of 30 highlights the intersection of Australia’s leading sports.
Brisbane’s Championship Pursuit
Brisbane has reached its fourth consecutive grand final, this time entering as favorites. While it remains uncertain how this added pressure will affect Chris Fagan’s squad, they have consistently demonstrated their best performances in crucial matches. Jonathan Horn will provide live updates from the MCG as the Lions aim for a third consecutive premiership, having spent seven years at the top of the league.
‘Give me 80,000 people at the MCG and I was Hercules,’ Brent Crosswell once remarked. ‘Give me a grey day at the Western Oval and I wasn’ Crosswell, who likely would have claimed two Norm Smith medals if they existed back then, would thrive in this Brisbane Lions team. They thrive on big occasions and need meaningful games to perform their best. When it’s just another game in western Sydney or Tasmania, they tend to underperform. But when the stakes are high, they are unmatched.
The weather in Melbourne serves as a reminder of the winter season, with current temperatures at 12C and a high expected of 15C. Fog and light drizzle linger, though forecasts indicate that the rain may ease by the first quarter.
The last truly rainy grand final in Melbourne occurred in 2011 when Geelong triumphed over Collingwood for their third flag in five years. Another memorable match was the Cats’ victory against the Saints two years earlier, which remains vivid in my memory (a humble brag: I was there!) for the close contest that the wet conditions fostered. The 2020 grand final at the Gabba was also a slippery affair, with heavy storms hitting Brisbane shortly before the game.
Live Coverage of the Grand Final
Welcome to our live coverage of the AFL grand final featuring Fremantle and Brisbane. After the longest season in AFL history, we have reached the moment where this year’s minor premiers meet the two-time reigning champions at the MCG.
Fremantle stands just one win away from achieving its own fairy tale ending. With more lows than highs over their 32 years in the league, a victory against the Lions could erase all past disappointments. Justin Longmuir’s team has already made history with 19 wins, the most in a home-and-away season, following a club record 14-match winning streak between rounds one and 16. The question of whether the Dockers can finally win their first AFL premiership will be answered around 5:30 PM AEST / 3:30 PM AWST today.
Brisbane is on the verge of making history as they pursue a premiership three-peat that would solidify their reputation as a modern great and the dominant club of this century. This marks the Lions’ fourth consecutive grand final, and a third straight win would place them among the select few clubs in VFL/AFL history to achieve multiple premiership three-peats. Chris Fagan’s seasoned squad rarely complicates matters for themselves, yet Lachie Neale’s pivotal role in the lead-up to the year’s biggest game is undeniable. However, only two players—new recruits Sam Draper and Oscar Allen—are experiencing a grand final for the first time.
This grand final matchup was anticipated late in the season as Fremantle secured a top-two finish with several weeks to spare and claimed the club’s second AFL minor premiership. Meanwhile, Brisbane was projected to have a clear route to the final, facing a struggling Sydney in the early rounds of the playoffs. However, both teams had to navigate a more challenging path through a home semi-final and a remarkable preliminary final victory to reach the grand final.
The first ball-up in Melbourne is scheduled for 2:30 PM AEST / 12:30 PM AWST, which may be the final time the grand final commences at this traditional hour. I’ll guide you through the pre-match excitement and entertainment before Geoff Lemon leads us into the main event. There will be plenty to enjoy as Kylie takes the stage, G Flip gets the atmosphere rolling, and Mike Brady performs his classic hits. In the meantime, feel free to share your predictions and thoughts on how the game will unfold—email me or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s dive in!
