Who Will Win the AFL Grand Final? 2026 Premiership Power Rankings

Ten teams. One cup. For the first time, the AFL's expanded finals series means a pair of wildcard games stand between four clubs and a genuine crack at September. However, pundits and punters alike doubt the chances of a Wildcard team making a run deep into finals. Time will tell, but this got us thinking, how do you sort the contenders from the pretenders?

Fremantle finished on top in 2026, with fresh air second. A 19-4 home and away season says it all, but the bookies aren't convinced of the merits of the minor-premiership. Brisbane, sitting third, are the back-to-back premiers and the favourites to win the whole thing, after all; experience counts when it comes to the big dance. 

So, who actually wins this thing and where is the value?

Certainly something to be said for dark horses like Carlton, Melbourne or Geelong; who have all shown they can beat anyone on their day. We're counting down all 10 finalists by market price, from the longest shots to the favourite, with a look at where each club’s path leads.

Odds are subject to change.*

The Final Four

4. Sydney Swans - $7.50

Second on the ladder during the regular season, 18-5, 136.1 percen, they started their finals campaign at huge odds of $23.00 outsiders. They were favored the same as Carlton to win the flag just a fortnight ago, that tells you how heavily the market has discounted a side missing several of its best players.

The Swans win over Brisbane has changed that narrative, they look to have been galvanised by a torrid few weeks. Errol Gulden and Charlie Curnow remain elite. They take on the Minor Premiers in Freo this weekend for a shot at the Grand Final - can Sydney shock the world?

Next game: Preliminary Final vs Fremantle Dockers at the SCG, Friday, September 18, 7:40pm

3. Hawthorn - $3.75

Sam Mitchell's men locked in for the Qualifying Final, suffocating Fremantle in front of their home crowd in a finals upset that no one saw coming.

They earned the week off with a premiership-level performance, but they'll need to back it up again as they take on the Lions in the Prelim.

They boast a healthy list with stars like Jai Newcombe, Jarman Impey, Nick Watson, Jack Ginnivan and Jack Gunston all in good form; the odds will certainly roll in their favour if they can produce another performance like they did against the Dockers.

The only Melbourne Club left in the running, can the Hawkies end the Lions three-peat hopes? Or will it be bridge too far for Hawthorn?

Next game: Preliminary Final vs Brisbane Lions at the MCG, Saturday, September 19, 5:15pm

2. Brisbane Lions - $3.30

Shocked in the Qualifying Final by Sydney, the back-to-back premiers had to go the long way around to make it into the Prelim. They had a dominant semi-final win against Adelaide and looked back to their best in attack, but their defensive record still raises eyebrows with inconsistent performances all season.

Lions are every chance of repeating history and replicating the legendary 2001-2003 Brisbane premiers, but to do this - they'll have to topple the red-hot Hawkies at the MCG Preliminary Final. If they can get it done, we'll be preparing to witness history and keep the party going from Fitzroy all the way to Fortitude Valley.

Next game: Preliminary Final vs Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG, Saturday, September 19, 5:15pm

1. Fremantle - $3.25

The Qualifying Final loss and a Round 24 loss to Carlton may certainly rattled the Dockers for a moment there, even though they came away with the Minor Premiership in 2026.

There is no denying, however that Freo have been out-and-out the best team all season and they showed that again with a professional victory over Geelong in the Semi Final.

Their harassing defence makes the best look average and the triple threat of Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Pat Voss are lethal inside-50.

But they face the Sydney Swans this weekend and by the way they played against Brisbane a fortnight ago, these Swans are no joke.

If we were Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw, we wouldn't be looking past this weekend.

Can the Dockers overcome the yips, make it through the next fortnight and bring the first flag in club history back to Fremantle?

Next game: Preliminary Final vs Sydney Swans at the SCG, Friday, September 18, 7:40pm

Who Will Win The 2026 AFL Grand Final?

Fremantle have the record, the players, the finals run and the home deck. Brisbane have the scar tissue and the September know-how.

We reckon that's the Grand Final and we're leaning towards the side that's already proved they’ve got what it takes to win one.

Betting tip: Brisbane Lions to def. Fremantle Dockers in the 2026 AFL Premiership Grand Final.

Odds are subject to change.*