Cornes: Why Fremantle can still win the premiership

Since the introduction of the final eight system in 2000 and the final ten system this season, only one minor premier (West Coast in 2006) has lost the qualifying final but still lifted the premiership cup on the last Saturday in September.

And with the ladder leading Dockers now forced to go the long way following their shock defeat on Thursday night, Kane Cornes still believes the side is capable of winning it all.

Having amassed 19 wins for the year, which saw the WA-based club sit in top spot throughout the second half of the season, Fremantle were favourites for their qualifying final against Hawthorn, having not lost at Optus Stadium throughout 2026.

But the nerves of Justin Longmuir’s men appeared to get the better of them, with the Hawks pulling off an unexpected 32-point victory, seeing Freo play in a semi-final at home rather than a preliminary final.

While it is not unheard of for top four sides to lose in the first week and bounce back to win it all later in the month, it certainly isn’t the norm with the Lions (2003), Swans (2005), Eagles (2006), Hawks (2015), Tigers (2020) and the Lions again (2025) bucking this trend in the 21st Century.

But with a coach who has been level-headed throughout the entire season alongside the league’s best defence, the 2004 Premiership player for Port Adelaide is not putting a line through their chances just yet.   “I don't think they were physically prepared for what was coming for them. They didn't cope with it,” Cornes said on SEN’s Crunch Time.

“I thought they were too safe and too predictable and too easy to play against.

“But I haven't given up on them, so that's the other thing.

“I think I've got too much respect and faith in them and the way that they've played for a long period of time now.

I think he's (Justin Longmuir) an exceptional coach; I really do. I don't think he rides the wave, which would be easy to do, to ride the ups and downs. He's been pretty steady, regardless of the winning streak, regardless of disappointing losses. Same again on Thursday night with his public comments.

“I've just got too much confidence in him and this group; there's gonna be a strong response.

“That doesn't mean you're gonna go the hard way and the long way and win it, but I wouldn't write them off.

“I still think they can win this premiership by going the long way around. Not easy to do, and this will take a huge effort from everyone to do it, but they're healthy, they clearly believe in the game style, the game style stacks up, they defend well.

“This isn't the last we're gonna see of Fremantle.”

The Dockers will play their last game at Optus Stadium for 2026 when they host Geelong for the semi-final.

That begins at 8:10pm AEST (6:10pm local time), with SEN having live coverage of the match from 6pm AEST across our radio network and on the SEN app.

The winner will go on to play Sydney in a preliminary final at the SCG.