They both took the scenic route to get here. But they’re both here - and that’s now all that matters.

Fremantle and Brisbane will lock horns in the Grand Final to decide the 2026 AFL premiership. The No.1 seed all season long, up against the No. 1 team of the 2020s.

Both have boarded the plane week in, week out and both deserve to be here. Freo exploded as quarter four commenced kicking five unanswered monster goals to finally run down and wear out the brave Sydney Swans. 

For the Lions, they came out victorious in the greatest game of footy I have ever witnessed. From the canvas to 28 points up, the Lions had to stare down defeat numerous times in that last term and in the end, their superstars said we are going back to the big dance.

For the latest team news, analysis, and insights ahead of the 2026 AFL Grand Final, check out my Fremantle Dockers vs Brisbane Lions prediction and preview below.

AFL Grand Final Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Freo are a long down the line contest team built on time in forward half and time in possession of the ball. They’re #4 and #1 in those stats.

Josh Treacy, Patrick Voss and Jye Amiss have kicked bags of goals across the season but have failed to fully wind up this September. They’ll need to be big and kick goals this week because the Lions are likely to kick 100+ points.

The other two gunners are Murphy Reid and Shai Bolton, forward of centre, who combined for 40 and two goals last week.

Brisbane are an uncontested marking machine who can play the game in chaos where needed. When they take 100+ uncontested marks you almost never beat them.

The challenge will be for the Dockers to get up, be aggressive and take those marks away otherwise the Lions will own the tempo of the game and have so much added energy for defending.

Many questioned whether Brisbane had the desire to get back here for a fourth straight Grand Final. Their answer was always emphatic.

Freo deserves to be here and hopefully the Dockers play a positive game and get on the attack because slowly working into the game might be a painful exercise against a team who knows what Grand Final day is all about.

For me, the Lions firepower is too much. The expected forecast might assist Freo but all things being equal, Brisbane should be going back-to-back-to-back like their 2001-2003 brothers.

Betting tip: Brisbane Lions by 24 points. 

First Goal Scorer Prediction 

Lions’ lynchpin Charlie Cameron is simply among the greats when it comes to finals footy.

He has played 30 finals for 61 goals and was the one doing the business early last week to keep his Lions alive. 

He’s been better than two goals per game against the Dockers and Judd McVee is already getting nervous.

Truth be told, the Lions have match-winning types all over the forward half at ground level and aerially via Logan Morris but I’m choosing Cameron to get the party started for the reigning back-to-back premiers. 

Betting tip: Charlie Cameron. 

Most Disposals Prediction 

Jackson is an athletic specimen who is getting better every week despite achieving so much already - including a premiership with the Dees.

Jackson has had 62 disposals and kicked five goals during the finals as well as 17 clearances. His impact on this group is enormous and when he’s feasting, they’re a dangerous group.

Betting tip: Luke Jackson.

Over/Under Prediction

Each of the last six Grand Finals have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over 189.5 total game points. 

Line Prediction 

Brisbane has covered the line in five of their last six matches.

Betting tip: Brisbane (-7.5) line. 

AFL Grand Final Predicted Teams 

Fremantle Dockers Predicted Team List 

B: J.Clark, A.Pearce, O.McDonald

HB: K.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.Young, I.Dudley, M.Cox

Brisbane Lions Predicted Team List 

B: T.Gallop, H.Andrews, 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, K.Lohmann

FOLL: D.Fort, J.Dunkley, L.Neale

I/C: S.Draper, J.Fletcher, H.McCluggage, L.Ashcroft, C.McKenna

AFL Grand Final Match Details 

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026. 

Kick-off: 2:30pm AEST. 

Location: MCG, Melbourne.