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
Dam wall breaks
The Lions make the most of owning the ball for five minutes.
Judd McVee has been good since quarter time but he gets caught in a big tackle and it spills out to Logan Morris who snaps it through.
FRE 73, BRI 70
The big lift!
The Dockers’ defenders have lifted big time in the absence of Alex Pearce.
Oscar McDonald is intercepting well while Luke Ryan is laying big tackles.
However, they can’t hold them back forever as Fremantle keep turning over on the rebound.
Luckily, Hugh McCluggage misses the set shot.
FRE 73, BRI 63
Hold onto this Freo fans
History is on the Dockers side entering this last quarter.
Meanwhile, Pearce is on crutches with a confirmed Achilles injury.
3QT: Fremantle 72, Brisbane 62
The Dockers would have been hoping for a better lead after such a strong quarter but the important part is they have seen off the third-term Lions.
Brisbane have caused some real damage in the third quarter of their winning grand finals but they still find themselves behind today.
Young was absolutley massive and the Dockers are in prime position.
Caleb Serong as a huge 11 clearances to go with his 20 touches while Dayne Zorko still leads all-comers with 25.
Does it again!
Hayden Young just has a sense for the big moment.
Dockers fans can’t believe it as he bows through a ripper from the pocket after running around the corner.
He’s kicked two goals for the quarter from 10 disposals with three score involvements which were all goals.
FRE 72, BRI 62
Need more
The Dockers are down on disposals but they are owning the ruck contest and the clearances which they have converted into a clear inside 50 advantage.
However, their delivery has been questionable at times and it’s holding them back.
As long as the remain on top of clearances they can win this game.
FRE 66, BRI 61
Not for long!
Hayden Young does not like the Lions being in front and gets on the end of the very next clearance after a feed from Sam Switkowski.
He hits it flush and the Dockers lead again.
FRE 66, BRI 61
In front
Charlie Cameron has made a good recovery and finds himself free inside 50 for an uncontested mark.
He then slots the set shot and the Dockers find themselves behind after kicking 2.5 for the quarter while the Lions have three straight in a row.
FRE 60, BRI 61
Ankle takers
Charlie Cameron is now limping off with a trainer for the Lions.
He appears to have hurt his ankle as well after pointing to it.
It got stuck under Shai Bolton in a tackle.
It comes as the Lions kick two in a row to undo the Dockers’ good work.
FRE 59, BRI 55
Pearce done
Freo’s skipper has moved to the back of the bench with his boots off and ice on his lower right leg.
Meanwhile, Dudley has kicked a beauty.
He slipped to the ground but kept the ball and ducked the tackle so he could get back up and dob the ball as he did in the first term.
FRE 58, BRI 48
