The AFL Grand Final 2026 saw the Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) defeat Fremantle 12.17 (89) by seven points after a dramatic final-quarter comeback to secure a third consecutive premiership!
The AFL Grand Final is the biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar — the decider that crowns the season’s premier and delivers the ultimate stage for footy’s biggest names. As the final Saturday in September approaches, fans and punters alike turn their attention to AFL Grand Final betting, hunting value in the latest AFL Grand Final odds, match‑ups, team news and expert AFL Grand Final tips.
The Grand Final is more than just a game — it’s a cultural event. A packed MCG, a national audience, and two clubs battling for the right to lift the AFL Premiership Cup after surviving the intensity of the home‑and‑away season and the pressure of September finals. From Brownlow contenders and Coleman Medal sharpshooters to tactical coaching battles and momentum‑shifting moments, every detail matters when analysing the AFL’s biggest stage.
Whether you’re chasing early AFL Grand Final odds, building a Same Game Multi, comparing team form lines or looking for sharp AFL Grand Final betting tips, this hub brings punters everything they need to get set for the blockbuster.
AFL 2026 Grand Final Results
Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) defeated the Fremantle Dockers 12.17 (89)
- 2026 AFL Grand Final Date: Saturday September 26, 2026
- 2026 AFL Grand Final Start Time: 2:30pm (AEST)
- 2026 AFL Grand Final Venue: MCG, Melbourne
- 2026 AFL Premiers: Brisbane Lions (6th title)
- 2026 AFL Grand Final Runners-Up: Fremantle Dockers
- 2026 AFL Grand Final Score: Brisbane 96 – 89 Fremantle
- Norm Smith Medallist: Shai Bolton
- Jock McHale Medallist: Chris Fagan
- Ron Barassi Medallists: Harris Andrews, Josh Dunkley, Hugh McCluggage
The 2026 AFL Grand Final saw the Brisbane Lions cement their place in modern AFL history with a thrilling seven-point victory over the Fremantle Dockers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday, 26 September 2026. Contested as the 131st AFL Grand Final and the decider for the 2026 premiership, the match produced an unforgettable finish as Brisbane kicked four goals in the final five minutes to overturn a 17-point deficit and prevail 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89). The dramatic comeback secured the Lions’ sixth VFL/AFL premiership and completed a remarkable third consecutive flag, while Fremantle was left heartbroken after falling just short of a maiden premiership. For AFL fans and punters alike, the 2026 AFL Grand Final result will be remembered as one of the competition’s greatest deciders, with Brisbane’s premiership three-peat becoming a defining moment of the AFL season.
2027 AFL Grand Final Betting Outright
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Brisbane Lions | 5.50 |
| Hawthorn | 5.00 |
| Fremantle | 6.00 |
| Geelong Cats | 10.00 |
| Western Bulldogs | 11.00 |
| Sydney Swans | 12.00 |
| Carlton | 17.00 |
| Collingwood | 17.00 |
| Adelaide Crows | 21.00 |
| Melbourne | 21.00 |
| Gold Coast Suns | 26.00 |
| St Kilda | 41.00 |
| GWS Giants | 51.00 |
| Port Adelaide | 81.00 |
| North Melbourne | 81.00 |
| West Coast Eagles | 151.00 |
| Essendon | 151.00 |
| Richmond | 201.00 |
AFL odds correct as of 17/10/2026 and subject to change.
AFL Grand Final Betting Guide
The AFL Grand Final is the biggest betting event of the footy season, and this guide gives punters everything they need to tackle the decider with confidence. With the MCG packed, the pressure sky‑high and every moment capable of swinging who the punters are backing to win, AFL Grand Final betting is all about understanding the match‑ups, reading the market and spotting value before the bounce.
This is where the sharpest AFL Grand Final odds meet expert analysis — from head‑to‑head markets and line betting to Norm Smith Medal plays, first‑goal scorer options and Same Game Multis built for the big stage. As team news drops, injuries settle and tactical plans become clearer, prices move fast, making it crucial to stay across the latest shifts.
Latest AFL Grand Final News
AFL Grand Final Tips
The AFL Grand Final is the biggest stage in Australian sport — a high‑pressure MCG blockbuster where every contest, every turnover and every tactical shift can decide the premiership. For punters, it’s also the most important betting event of the footy year, making Ladbrokes expert AFL Grand Final tips some of the most sought after every September.
Key AFL Grand Final Betting Insights
- Latest AFL Grand Final Odds — Track the favourites, market movers and early value plays as prices shift throughout September.
- AFL Grand Final Team Form — Analyse how each side has performed in the lead‑up, including finals momentum, scoring trends and defensive stability.
- Match‑Ups & Tactical Edges — Midfield battles, intercept defenders, key forwards and coaching strategies all shape the premiership outcome.
- Norm Smith Medal Tips — Identify the players most likely to dominate on the big stage.
2026 AFL Grand Final Predictions
Our Aussie Rules form analysists will have their complete 2026 AFL Grand Final predictions and tips available as soon as the teams are confirmed so stay tuned!
In the meantime, our early read on the 2026 AFL decider focuses on three core pillars that consistently determine premiership outcomes:
Midfield Control
Grand Finals are won by teams that dominate stoppages, surge forward with speed and protect the ball under pressure. Look closely at:
- Centre‑bounce differential
- Clearance efficiency
- Contested possession trends
Teams with strong inside‑outside balance typically hold the edge.
Defensive Structure
Premiership sides almost always boast elite intercepting and disciplined team defence. Key indicators include:
- Intercept marks
- Defensive half turnover conversion
- Ability to restrict opposition inside‑50 efficiency
If one side forces repeat entries, they usually control the tempo.
Big‑Moment Players
Grand Finals reward clutch performers — the match‑winners who stand up when the game tightens. Punters should watch:
- Proven finals performers
- High‑impact midfielders
- Key forwards with strong contested marking form
These players shape Norm Smith Medal markets and Same Game Multis.
AFL Grand Final Betting Tips
Punters looking for an edge should consider:
- Back teams with strong September momentum — sides that peak late often outperform the market.
- Watch for late selection changes — tactical subs and injury clouds can shift odds dramatically.
- Lean into role‑based markets — disposal lines, goal‑kickers and tackle props often provide better value than head‑to‑head.
- Consider weather and MCG conditions — wind, rain and heat all influence scoring patterns and line betting.
- Build multis around predictable roles — midfielders with high CBAs, key forwards with stable targets, and defenders with intercept dominance.
AFL Grand Final Betting Preview
The AFL Grand Final is the biggest day on the Australian sporting calendar — the match that decides the premiers, fills the MCG with 100,000 fans and delivers the most‑watched sporting event of the year. It’s also the most important moment for punters, with AFL Grand Final betting, AFL Grand Final odds and AFL Grand Final tips all surging in popularity as the decider draws near.
AFL Grand Final Odds Snapshot
The market tightens dramatically during Grand Final week, with punters locking in early value before team sheets drop. Expect:
- Head‑to‑head odds to fluctuate based on injuries, selection surprises and late fitness tests.
- Line betting to shift as weather forecasts firm.
- Norm Smith Medal odds to move quickly once midfield rotations and tagging plans become clearer.
Tracking these changes is essential for finding value before the bounce.
Norm Smith Medal Predictions
The Norm Smith Medal is one of the most popular Grand Final betting markets. Historically, winners come from:
- High‑impact midfielders
- Intercept defenders
- Match‑winning forwards
Look for players who consistently perform under pressure and have strong finals form.
AFL Grand Final Same Game Multi Ideas
Punters building SGMs should consider:
- A high‑volume midfielder for disposals
- A reliable key forward for goals
- A pressure forward or defender for tackles
- The favourite or underdog based on territory dominance
These combinations often deliver strong value in Grand Final betting, and Ladbrokes have all the top AFL Grand Final Same Race Multi markets available!
AFL Grand Final Results
There has been a total of 130 Australian Rules Grand Finals played out over history and the most successful clubs with a total of 16 Premiership wins are Essendon and Carlton whose latest victories were 2001 and 1999 respectively.
Collingwood are just one AFL Grand Final win away with 15, but they have finished runners-up more than any other club having been beaten in the Premiership decider 26 times from 43 appearances. The only AFL teams in the current competition yet to make a Grand Final appearance are the Gold Coast Suns.
The current competition as we know and love it was renamed the Australian Football League (AFL) in 1990 and most recently Hawthorn have dominated winning three straight AFL Premierships from 2013-15.
The AFL Grand Final is the number one professional Australian Rules game of the year and sees the league’s two premier teams face off in a Premiership decider. Traditionally held on a Saturday afternoon in late September or early October the AFL Premiership Grand Final takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Victoria and is officially the most popular Australian sporting event of the year. The MCG has hosted the Grand Final AFL / VFL match from 1902 – 1941; 1946- 1990; and 1992 – now, meaning the game has been played at a different venue on just 10 occasions since 1898. In 2021 the AFL Grand Final was played in Perth due to COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne.
Each season the AFL Grand Final winners are awarded the AFL Premiership Cup and Premiership Flag, plus every player in the winning team is presented with a gold Premiership Medallion. The standout player deemed to be the man-of-the-match in the AFL Grand Final is awarded the Norm Smith Medal, named in honour of former Melbourne player and coach Norm Smith (1915 – 1973). Since 2001 the winning AFL Grand Final coach is presented with the Jock McHale Medal, whose namesake is former Collingwood coach Jock McHale who holds the AFL Premiership winning coaching record of eight victories.
Past AFL Premiership Winners
See below for the full AFL Grand Final results including the AFL Grand Final winners, runners-up, winning Australian Rules Grand Final scores, and attendance records for AFL Grand Final games dating back to the year 2000.
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Score | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Brisbane Lions | Fremantle Dockers | 96-89 | 100,023 |
| 2025 | Brisbane Lions | Geelong Cats | 122–75 | 100,022 |
| 2024 | Brisbane Lions | Sydney Swans | 120–60 | 100,013 |
| 2023 | Collingwood | Brisbane Lions | 90–86 | 100,024 |
| 2022 | Geelong | Sydney Swans | 133–52 | 100,024 |
| 2021 | Melbourne | Western Bulldogs | 140–66 | 61,118 |
| 2020 | Richmond | Geelong | 81–50 | 29,707 |
| 2019 | Richmond | GWS Giants | 114–25 | 100,014 |
| 2018 | West Coast Eagles | Collingwood | 79–74 | 100,022 |
| 2017 | Richmond | Adelaide | 108–60 | 100,021 |
| 2016 | Western Bulldogs | Sydney Swans | 89–67 | 99,981 |
| 2015 | Hawthorn | West Coast Eagles | 107–61 | 98,632 |
| 2014 | Hawthorn | Sydney Swans | 137–74 | 99,454 |
| 2013 | Hawthorn | Fremantle | 77–62 | 100,007 |
| 2012 | Sydney Swans | Hawthorn | 91–81 | 99,683 |
| 2011 | Geelong | Collingwood | 119–81 | 99,537 |
| 2010 | Collingwood | St Kilda (Replay) | 108–52 | 93,853 |
| 2009 | Geelong | St Kilda | 80–68 | 99,251 |
| 2008 | Hawthorn | Geelong | 115–89 | 100,012 |
| 2007 | Geelong | Port Adelaide | 163–44 | 97,302 |
| 2006 | West Coast Eagles | Sydney Swans | 85–84 | 97,431 |
| 2005 | Sydney Swans | West Coast Eagles | 58–54 | 91,828 |
| 2004 | Port Adelaide | Brisbane Lions | 113–73 | 77,671 |
| 2003 | Brisbane Lions | Collingwood | 134–84 | 79,451 |
| 2002 | Brisbane Lions | Collingwood | 75–66 | 91,817 |
| 2001 | Brisbane Lions | Essendon | 108–82 | 91,482 |
| 2000 | Essendon | Melbourne | 135–75 | 96,249 |
AFL Grand Final FAQs
What is the AFL Grand Final?
The AFL Grand Final is the premiership decider of the Australian Football League, played annually at the MCG in front of up to 100,000 fans. It’s the biggest event in Australian sport and the most‑watched match of the year.
When is the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
The 2026 AFL Grand Final will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Where is the AFL Grand Final played?
The Grand Final is traditionally played at the MCG, the home of Australian rules football and the league’s premier finals venue.
How do AFL Grand Final odds work?
AFL Grand Final odds reflect each team’s chance of winning based on form, injuries, market confidence and betting activity. Prices move frequently throughout September as team news drops and punters react.
Who is the favourite for the 2026 AFL Grand Final?
The favourite will depend on the Preliminary Final results and market movement. You can check the latest AFL Grand Final odds at Ladbrokes for real‑time updates.
What are the most popular AFL Grand Final betting markets?
Punters typically target:
- Head‑to‑Head
- Line & Total Points
- Norm Smith Medal
- First Goal Scorer
- Same Game Multis
- Player disposals, tackles & goal‑kicker props
How do I find the best AFL Grand Final tips?
Expert AFL Grand Final tips combine team form, match‑ups, finals momentum, injury news and tactical analysis. Ladbrokes provides updated predictions and betting insights throughout Grand Final week.
Who usually wins the AFL Grand Final?
Premierships are often won by teams with:
- Strong contested‑ball numbers
- Elite defensive structure
- High‑pressure forward lines
- Proven finals performers
What is the Norm Smith Medal?
The Norm Smith Medal is awarded to the best player on the ground in the AFL Grand Final. Midfielders and intercept defenders traditionally dominate the award.
Can I place a Same Game Multi on the AFL Grand Final?
Yes — the Grand Final is one of the most popular matches for Same Game Multis, combining markets like disposals, goals, tackles, and match results.