The Brisbane Lions defeated Fremantle in the AFL grand final on Saturday, 26 September 2026, according to Fox Sports. The Lions came from behind to win what afl.com.au described as an epic grand final, breaking Fremantle's hopes of a first premiership.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan, referred to by Fox Sports as "JL," was reportedly devastated despite the win. Fox Sports reports he sent a four-word message to his players following the match. The nature of that message was not disclosed in the source material.
Fox Sports also reported that a significant decision has been made regarding the future of "Wharfie Time," a tactical approach associated with Fremantle. One Fox Sports headline described it as the "worst call ever" and said it doomed the Dockers, while another referenced "extraordinary torture" in relation to the grand final outcome.
The Age published player ratings for the match, noting one Lions player received a perfect score of 10 while a Fremantle player received a rating of one. The Herald Sun raised the question of whether a particular five-minute passage of play was the greatest in finals history.
Fremantle's loss extends the club's wait for a maiden AFL premiership. The Dockers had entered the grand final with hopes of securing their first flag.
What to watch next: whether Fremantle makes changes to its game plan following the grand final defeat, and how Brisbane manages its premiership defence in the 2027 season.
