Brisbane have become the third team this century to claim an AFL premiership three-peat after beating Fremantle by seven points in an all-time classic grand final.
Fremantle led by 17 late in the game and were on course for a maiden premiership when Brisbane burst to life and Logan Morris put the Lions in front with a minute left, then kicked the sealer.
In prevailing 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) in front of 100,023 fans at the MCG, the Lions join Hawthorn (2013-15) and the legendary Brisbane team of 2001-03 to win three premierships in a row this century.
Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce suffered a devastating Achilles injury that ruled him out of the game in the third quarter.
The Dockers pulled the trigger on their ‘Wharfie Time’ crowd activation when Patrick Voss put them up by 17 points, before Brisbane reeled them in, delivering coach Chris Fagan a third premiership amid heavy speculation it was his final game at the helm.
Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft (31 disposals, nine clearances) and co-captains Harris Andrews and Josh Dunkley were fantastic, along with forward Charlie Cameron (three goals) and veteran Dayne Zorko.
Brisbane secured a historic premiership three-peat after a stunning late comeback broke Fremantle hearts at the MCG
The Lions kicked four goals in the final five minutes to snatch a seven-point victory in an unforgettable grand final
Chris Fagan praised his players’ fighting spirit after coaching Brisbane to a third consecutive premiership amid speculation about his future
A crowd of 100,023 witnessed Brisbane join Hawthorn and the Lions’ 2001-03 side as this century’s premiership three-peat teams
Lachie Neale was heavily booed by Fremantle fans after having his striking suspension overturned just two days before the decider
Dockers midfielders Caleb Serong (13 clearances, 22 disposals) and Hayden Young (two goals, 24 disposals) were excellent, while Voss kicked three goals.
Brisbane champion and former Docker Lachie Neale, who contentiously had his one-game striking ban overturned at the AFL appeals board on Thursday, was heavily booed by the Fremantle fans throughout.
Joint Ron Barassi Medal winner Hugh McCluggage was classy in victory, reaching out to the Fremantle side and its fans.
‘Firstly, I’d just like to say thanks to Freo, had an amazing year, an amazing game. You don’t want to have to go through the heartbreak of losing one,’ he said.
‘But I’m sure that you’ll be back for bigger and better things in the coming years, so thank you very much.
‘To all our boys, all the staff, everyone that’s involved in the journey, it makes it all worthwhile.
‘I’m super proud of everyone. This team just never gives up so thank you very much. It’s all the fans that turned out, especially the Lions fans. Thank you very much.
‘Our Brisbane fans, our Fitzroy fans as well, we’ve got to best of both worlds and we’ve got to best of both worlds and we love all of you.’
Will Ashcroft starred on the biggest stage with 31 disposals and nine clearances as Brisbane stormed home
Fremantle’s dreams of a maiden premiership unravelled after the Dockers led by 17 points late in the final quarter
Coach Chris Fagan would barely contain his emotions as he thanked his charges for the heart they continued to show
Coach Chris Fagan would barely contain his emotions as he thanked his charges for the heart they continued to show.
‘My boys, they’ve got a stack of heart and they know how to fight their way right to the end and we’ve been able to do that two weeks in a row. And now we’ve got three premierships in a row to show for it,’ he said.
Alex Pearce had to suffer the double pain of a serious injury and a grand final loss, but the Fremantle captain had strong words at the presentations of the 2026 AFL Grand Final.
‘I’m so proud of everyone of you the way you fought today, the way we fought this year. The people that you are, and I know that we’ll be back.’
Heavy rain on Saturday morning meant covers were on the ground before the pre-game entertainment, headlined by Kylie Minogue, but the weather cleared up ahead of the main event.
