AFL grand final: Recap as Fremantle Dockers suffer grand final heartache against Brisbane
It was the day Freo fans have dreamt about - and the game that could have seen Dockers players become immortals. But it ended in the most heartbreaking way possible. Relive the action from our blog.
AFL: It was the day Freo fans have dreamt about - and the game that could have seen Dockers players become immortals.
But it ended in the most heartbreaking way possible.
Fremantle’s second chance in club history to get their hands on the elusive premiership cup started well and looked on track until a remarkable three-minute ending that flipped the game on its head.
Relive the action from our blog.
Key events
26 Sep 2026 - 05:53 PM
Longmuir reveals all
26 Sep 2026 - 05:48 PM
Spare a thought
26 Sep 2026 - 04:59 PM
Fans’ reactions the moment it all went wrong
26 Sep 2026 - 04:59 PM
The moments that mattered
26 Sep 2026 - 04:41 PM
Quiet moments with Fyfe
26 Sep 2026 - 04:09 PM
ANALYSIS
26 Sep 2026 - 03:51 PM
Skipper’s vow
26 Sep 2026 - 03:47 PM
Wharfie Time backfire?
26 Sep 2026 - 03:40 PM
The Rewind
26 Sep 2026 - 03:30 PM
Norm Smith SHOCK!
26 Sep 2026 - 03:15 PM
FT: Fremantle 89, Brisbane 96
26 Sep 2026 - 02:38 PM
3QT: Fremantle 72, Brisbane 62
26 Sep 2026 - 02:18 PM
Pearce done
26 Sep 2026 - 02:13 PM
Nightmare injury!
26 Sep 2026 - 01:39 PM
HT: Fremantle 43, Brisbane 43
26 Sep 2026 - 01:15 PM
IN PICTURES: Freo fans geared up for game day
26 Sep 2026 - 01:03 PM
QT: Fremantle 22, Brisbane 23
26 Sep 2026 - 11:45 AM
Here’s Kylie!
26 Sep 2026 - 11:09 AM
Justin Longmuir confirms Dockers will be unchanged
26 Sep 2026 - 10:24 AM
Caleb Serong speaks
26 Sep 2026 - 10:04 AM
Grand Final tips
26 Sep 2026 - 08:43 AM
Duursma’s cheeky Freo message
26 Sep 2026 - 07:55 AM
It’s raining
26 Sep 2026 - 07:43 AM
Fyfe to do lap of honour at the G
26 Sep 2026 - 07:39 AM
Welcome
Grand Final tips
The West Australian and 7News football experts have their say on the winner, margin and medallist in today’s AFL grand final.
The purple army is marching on the G
An MCG marriage
A Perth couple could be in for the ultimate day after getting married outside the MCG in the hours before the game.
Danni Bloomfield and Matt Abbott have been together for 15 years but took the ultimate opportunity to make it official.
Draped in Dockers scarves, the two tied the knot and could be in for the ultimate honeymoon if Fremantle can end a 32-year wait later this afternoon.
The road back from 2013
It’s been a long road back to the grand final since Freo’s sole appearance in the decider at the end of 2013. Here’s the year-by-year snapshot of their winding journey back to the ‘G.
Shaun McManus speaks
Fremantle’s premiership cup presenter is feeling plenty of nerves.
“I’m completely sick I feel horrible, and it’s got to the point it’s now in my stomach,” he says.
“But I’m so excited for the boys, for me to be able to play with the Dockers and ride the highs and lows, to get back on the big stage is such a big moment for the club.
“It will be absolutely anarchy in Fremantle if we win and we will tear the MCG stands down.”
Wallabies will be watching
The Wallabies may be in Perth ahead of Sunday’s blockbuster against South Africa at Optus Stadium, but their eyes will be on Melbourne on Saturday.
The team are planning to watch the big game once their captain’s run is complete, with coach Les Kiss having joked about moving around meetings to watch the game.
Wallabies skipper and proud Brisbane Lions fan Harry Wilson is unsurprisingly tipping his side to come home with the chocolates, ending his pre-game press conference with “Will Ashcroft, Norm Smith, 27 disposals, one goal”
First look at the G from the Dockers
Given the scenes at training yesterday, Fremantle fans are expected to outnumber their Lion counterparts today.
Duursma’s cheeky Freo message
Derby rivalries are still running deep on grand final day, with West Coast’s Willem Duursma saying the Eagles are living ‘rent-free’ in Dockers heads as they chase their first flag.
Chasing immortality
Fremantle are one win away from creating history and erasing decades of pain. But we should never forget what the former players, and those who missed out this year, have done along the way.
