AFL Preliminary Finals by the numbers

The 2026 AFL Preliminary Finals are set after Fremantle and Brisbane won their respective Semi Finals on the weekend.

The Dockers defeated Geelong by 14 points in Perth to reach their fourth Preliminary Final and first since 2015.

Sydney will host Freo in the Preliminary Final at the SCG on Friday night (7:40pm AEST) in what will be the fifth finals meeting between the two clubs.

The Swans won by 35 points (127-92) in the 2006 prelim in Sydney before the Dockers got one back by winning the 2013 prelim by 25 points in Perth. Sydney won the 2014 Qualifying Final by 24 points at home and then Freo drew level by winning the 2015 qualifying by nine points in Perth.

The finals record reads 2-2 between the two clubs. Now it’s back to Sydney for a third prelim and fifth final overall.

In the other prelim, Hawthorn hosts Brisbane at the MCG in a Saturday twilight fixture (5:15pm AEST) after the reigning back-to-back champs smashed Adelaide by 53 points.

The Hawks and Lions have never played in a final in the Brisbane Lions era, having merged with Fitzroy before the 1997 season.

But these two clubs are no stranger to prelims with the Hawks set to play in their ninth since 2000, winning five and losing three.

The Lions have played in nine since 2000, winning seven and losing two.

This is their fifth straight prelim and sixth since 2020.

2026 AFL Preliminary Finals

Friday, September 18
Sydney v Fremantle - SCG - 7:40pm AEST

Saturday, September 19
Hawthorn v Brisbane - MCG - 5:15pm AEST