The Brisbane Lions have won a third consecutive AFL premiership after producing a late comeback to defeat Fremantle 96-89 in the 2026 Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Brisbane trailed by 17 points late in the match before kicking four goals in the final four minutes. The seven-point victory completed the club’s second three-peat, echoing the Lions’ championship run from 2001 to 2003.
Four late goals turned the final
Fremantle appeared close to claiming its first AFL premiership when it built a 17-point advantage in the closing stages. Brisbane responded with a rapid scoring burst that changed the game in minutes.
Logan Morris played a decisive role, taking a contested mark and converting to put Brisbane ahead inside the final minute before adding another goal from around 40 metres to effectively seal the result.
Morris and Charlie Cameron combined for six goals as Brisbane finished with 14.12 (96) to Fremantle’s 12.17 (89).
Fremantle had control for long stretches
The Dockers were level with Brisbane at halftime and took control during the third quarter. They entered the final term with the lead and continued to put pressure on the defending champions.
Captain Alex Pearce suffered a leg injury, however, weakening Fremantle’s defensive structure at a critical stage. Brisbane used its experience and finishing quality to stay within reach before launching the final comeback.
A record-setting championship run
The result gives Brisbane three straight premierships and six top-flight titles overall. More than 100,000 spectators attended the match at the MCG.
The Grand Final also drew a record television audience in Australia, according to the AFL, with an average audience of more than 4.5 million and a total reach above 6.5 million across Seven and 7plus.
For Fremantle, the defeat extends the wait for a first AFL premiership. For Brisbane, the victory confirms one of the strongest championship runs in the modern era of the competition.
