There’s an enormous watch on Lachie Neale as Brisbane fights to overturn the star’s ban. Plus the choice dilemma at Fremantle.
Keep throughout all the newest choice information and updates on the grand ultimate in AFL Staff Ideas!
Watch each match of the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Sequence earlier than the Grand Remaining LIVE with no ad-breaks throughout play on Kayo Sports activities | New to Kayo? Be part of now and get your first month for simply $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit restrict. For Free and confidential help name 1800 858 858 or go to gamblinghelponline.org.au.
2026 AFL GRAND FINAL (all occasions AEST)
FREMANTLE DOCKERS v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday September 26, 2:30pm on the MCG
Dockers’ preliminary ultimate facet
B: J.Clark, A.Pearce – C, O.McDonald
HB: Ok.Worner, L.Ryan, H.Chapman
C: M.Johnson, A.Brayshaw, N.Erasmus
HF: M.Frederick, M.Reid, S.Switkowski
F: J.Amiss, J.Treacy, P.Voss
FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, S.Bolton
I/C: J.McVee, C.Wagner, H.Younger, I.Dudley, M.Cox
EMG: B.Cox, C.Scerri, J.O’Meara
Staff Ideas: After Justin Longmuir’s facet went in unchanged final week, the large choice dilemma at Fremantle is a possible Brennan Cox recall. The defender was pulled from the WAFL grand ultimate following Fremantle’s preliminary ultimate win and can now push to return after a calf harm has sidelined him for the membership’s finals marketing campaign. Cox has been a stalwart in Longmuir’s defence however Oscar McDonald has now primarily taken his spot within the Dockers again six and made that spot his — having performed each recreation since Spherical 20 together with every of the membership’s three finals. At open coaching on Wednesday, Cox received by way of unscathed within the strongest doable signal that he may very well be up for a recall. Brandon Walker can also be sitting there as an possibility to come back in. Jeremy Sharp (27 disposals) was named Simpson Medallist as greatest on floor in Peel Thunder’s premiership win, however he has already conceded he received’t be getting a dream grand ultimate call-up. The identical goes for Sean Darcy and his possibilities of changing Mason Cox, who’s made that backup ruck spot his. Chris Scerri and Jaeger O’Meara had been Freo’s different emergencies with Cox for the prelim.
Freo hearth again at residence in finals cost | 02:58
Lions’ preliminary ultimate facet
B: T.Gallop, H.Andrews – C, R.Lester
HB: D.Wilmot, D.Gardiner, D.Zorko
C: J.Berry, W.Ashcroft, Z.Bailey
HF: C.Cameron, L.Morris, O.Allen
F: E.Hipwood, C.Rayner, Ok.Lohmann
FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale
I/C: S.Draper, J.Fletcher, H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft, C.McKenna
EMG: L.McCarthy, C.Curtin, B.Reville
Staff Ideas: An enormous watch on Lachie Neale as Brisbane fights to overturn the twin Brownlow medallist’s suspension on the tribunal to free him to play in Saturday’s decider. If the Lions are profitable and Neale will get off, it’d be onerous to see Chris Fagan making any modifications to his unchanged preliminary ultimate facet that narrowly outlasted Hawthorn. If not, there’s a number of instructions Brisbane may go. Maybe the obvious is recalling Noah Answerth if the defender has overcome an ankle harm that sidelined him for the prelim. It might require a structural reshuffle however Fagan may need the additional lockdown defender in opposition to Fremantle’s high-powered ahead line, plus Brisbane has loads of midfield protection. By the identical token, Bruce Reville may are available and play any function required. In the event that they wished extra firepower, Lincoln McCarthy, named an emergency within the prelim, is sitting there and may for a extra seamless restructure, given how a lot flexibility Brisbane has with its forwards/midfielders. The fact is that Neale isn’t a participant you may merely exchange and there’s no like-for-like.