Four teams in race for 2026 AFL premiership heading into finals
With three games to go, Fremantle, Brisbane, Hawthorn and Sydney are genuine premiership chances in the most open finals race in years.
The 2026 AFL season is heading into preliminary finals with the premiership still up for grabs among four strong contenders from four different states. Fremantle finished as minor premiers but lost to Hawthorn in the qualifying final before bouncing back.
Brisbane is chasing a three-peat premiership and has hit top form with an impressive semi-final win. Hawthorn earned a week off after upsetting the Dockers.
Sydney is riding momentum through an emotional finals campaign. AFL experts are split on who will win it all, with Fremantle and Brisbane the most fancied but no consensus favourite.
Brisbane has won eight of their last ten games at the MCG, and Fremantle's height advantage should suit the wide expanses of the ground.
- 4
- Teams remaining
- 3
- Games to conclusion
- 4 different states
- States represented
- 8 of last 10
- Brisbane MCG wins
Why it mattersThe unpredictability makes this one of the most compelling finals races in years, and any of the four teams genuinely has a path to the flag.
AustraliaThe Grand Final will be watched by millions of Australians, and the outcome will decide bragging rights across four different states.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 10 d ago
