Whichever way you look at it, history will be made at the MCG this Saturday when the Fremantle Dockers clash with the Brisbane Lions in a mouthwatering AFL Grand Final.

The Dockers will get just their second chance to win the club’s first flag since joining the AFL in 1995, while the Lions enter their fourth consecutive grand final chasing their third-straight premiership.

The Lions enter the match as the $1.72 favourites with Ladbrokes after defeating the Hawks by nine points in one of the greatest games you’ll ever witness. A contentious, albeit correct, free kick to Hugh McCluggage resulted in the go-ahead goal in the 35^th minute of the last quarter, before Kai Lohmann put the result beyond doubt 90 seconds later.

Will Ashcroft continued his run as this era’s champion finals player (post Dusty of course) with 28 disposals, one goal and eight clearances, while Lohmann put a disastrous first half behind him with five majors. Ashcroft has the chance to equal Dustin Martin with three Norm Smith Medals on Saturday and the market has certainly gravitated his way at $5.

The headlines have been dominated by the Lachie Neale saga this week – common theme in 2026 – with his one-week suspension for a Jack Ginnivan ‘gut punch’ going to the AFL Appeals Board on Thursday night. The line moved from 7.5 to 5.5 following the Neale verdict, so expect more fluctuation if he can have it overturned.

It would be a disastrous outcome for the Lions if their two-time Brownlow Medallist missed, with Noah Answerth the likely replacement and more midfield minutes to Levi Ashcroft and McCluggage.

As for the Dockers, the too delivered a preliminary final victory for the ages when they came from 28 points down in the third term and ran over the Swans 83-71.

Shai Bolton starred with two goals in Q4 and Hayden Young delivered his best performance of the season with 28 possessions, seven tackles and a goal on the 3QT siren that kick-started the fightback.

Luke Jackson, who polled 19 votes in Monday’s Brownlow Medal, will be the key factor for Fremantle as he looks to dismantle the likes of Sam Draper in the ruck and give Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Young first use. He’s currently $10 for the Norm Smith and it’s a good bet for punters backing a bit of Wharfie Time.

Josh Treacy has failed to fire for the Purple Haze all finals series and attempting to recapture his All-Australian form against the likes of Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner is easier said than done. He’s still $9.50 equal-favourite for first goal alongside Jye Amiss and Logan Morris.

While Brisbane clearly has the grand final experience and runs on the board, the Dockers will take some solace from their 25-point victory over the Lions in Round 12 and from the fact they’ve played ordinary finals footy and still made the big dance.

The fact remains the Lions’ best is the best we’ve seen for a very long time, but a lot hangs on the Neale appeal and how they recover from an epic prelim.

Premier: Brisbane To Win @ $1.72

Norm Smith Medal: Will Ashcroft (BL) @ $5

First Goal Kicker: Shai Bolton (Frem) @ $16