Welcome to Daily Mail Australia’s live coverage of the 2026 AFL grand final, where Fremantle will chase their first premiership against a Brisbane side hunting a third straight flag.For Dockers fans, this could be the afternoon decades of hope and heartbreak finally give way to the ultimate celebration. For the Lions, it’s a chance to cement their place among footy’s greatest teams.With the first bounce at 2.30pm AEST, we’ll bring you all the build-up, biggest moments, colourful fans and drama, right through to the celebrations and fallout.Neale needs another rescue act as fans pile onLachie Neale could use another second-half rescue act.Last year, he returned from a calf injury to deliver 17 disposals, seven clearances and a goal after half-time against Geelong.This year, he needed the Appeal Board to overturn his striking suspension after the Tribunal upheld it.Girlfriend Emma Field was firmly in his corner, cheering from the stands in a black jacket bearing ‘Neale 09’ alongside friends Milly and Sophie Shepherd. Social media offered a frostier reception.“Lachie Neale, what’s even the point of you?” one viewer asked.“Lachie Neale missing the goal is chef’s kiss,” another wrote.One joked: “Lachie Neale just lost $300k off his Collingwood contract.”“Everyone and their dog is booing Lachie Neale. God is good,” another commented.“The entire MCG booing Lachie Neale is so funny and so deserved,” one posted.“The whole crowd booing Lachie Neale is my favourite part of this game so far,” added another.ShareAll square at halftime in the AFL Grand Final between Brisbane and FremantleAfter two quarters of high-octane action both teams are locked at 6.7 (43).BT: “The grand final is all tied up at half-time. There’s a lot to do. We know an Ashcroft will play a big part, so will that man, Lachie Neale and Josh Treacy. All the stars performing here at the MCG. Reid has had 14 touches along with Bolton’s 13. Zorko 15 leads the game. Zac Bailey 12. What a game of football we have got. Six-seven apiece it is here at the moment. 6.7.43 and both teams looking to break this in the second half”ShareLachie Neale lacking influence and Freo are letting him know all about itNeale gets a shot at goal but sprays it well wide. Just nine touches in the shadows of halftime and plenty of booing heading his way from supporters of his former side. Was the deciding factor in the second half of last year’s grand final, so never write a champion off.Share”Look at the arrogance!” Draper taunts DockersSam Draper hits back from beyond 50 and is full of disdain for Freo in the process. BT: “Goes out to the right looking for the leverage and has nailed it. How spectacular was the shot! Look at the arrogance!”Fremantle 6.6 (42) Brisbane 6.6 (42)ShareLions player caught cheering prematurely TWICEHe has already been busted cheering before the goal was made official, with his first kick at goal fading late. Now Eric Hipwood has done it again. Celebrating before his second shot cannoned into the post for a point.ShareVoss is making a statement for FreoVoss strikes again and brings the roaring Freo faithful into the contest as well. Kane Cornes: “No-one does this better. No-one does it better. You think he will be under stated but, no, this guy is one of the best celebrators we have seen and what an impact he is having.”Fremantle 6.6 (42) Brisbane 5.5 (35)ShareJules Neale rocking a Fremantle scarf is a vibeJules Neale has picked her side for the grand final, and it is not Lachie’s.The mother-of-two shared an Instagram selfie wearing a Fremantle scarf as her former husband’s Brisbane Lions faced the Dockers at the MCG.Smiling alongside a friend who also wore purple and white, Jules appeared firmly behind her hometown club.She returned to Perth following the couple’s split late last year.Jules previously supported Brisbane after Lachie joined the Lions following his Fremantle career.Now, with the two clubs battling for the premiership, her choice of colours has added another twist to Neale’s eventful grand final.ShareAll locked up once again at the ‘GLevi Ashcroft finishes off a Charlie Cameron bust to finish off in style. Kane Cornes: “This man, Charlie Cameron, he’s doing it all. Up the ground they like that big match-up. That one- on-one ball that he won there, and then just the extra handball there from Lohmann with an easy finish for Ashcroft. They love it. Charlie Cameron is having an influence.”Fremantle 5.5 (35) Brisbane 5.5 (35)ShareDockers hit back againThis is as true an arm wrestle as you will get in an AFL decider. Jye Amiss joins the party and Freo lead once more. Fremantle 5.5 (35) Brisbane 4.5 (29)ShareYou can’t give these Lions an inchA counter attacking raid has led to Conor McKenna soccering the ball through for a goal and the lead back for the Lions. Brisbane 4.5 (29) Fremantle 4.4 (28)ShareThe seesawing contest continuesPatty Voss strikes first in the second quarter to pinch the lead for the DockersFremantle 4.4 (28) Brisbane 3.5 (23)ShareNothing in it at quarter time in the 2026 AFL Grand FinalThe first quarter has delivered plenty of thrills, spills, momentum changes and contentious calls with very little separating the Lions and Dockers at the first break. BT: “16 lead changes in the first quarter of football. That is all you can ask for.”Brisbane 3.5 (23) Fremantle 3.4 (22)ShareKey UpdatesNeale needs another rescue act as fans pile onAll square at halftime in the AFL Grand Final between Brisbane and FremantleLachie Neale lacking influence and Freo are letting him know all about it”Look at the arrogance!” Draper taunts DockersJules Neale rocking a Fremantle scarf is a vibeNothing in it at quarter time in the 2026 AFL Grand FinalHUGE call from the officials has Freo fans up in arms‘Karaoke’ or ‘killing it’? Kylie’s grand final show splits fansRead full story Brisbane Lions strike first bloodWe are underway – history in the making