The 2026 AFL finals series opens under lights in Perth. Fremantle host Hawthorn in the first qualifying final at a sold out Optus Stadium, with the winner earning the biggest prize available in week one of September.
This is a Thursday night fixture, and the stakes are unusually clean. Win, and you skip a week. Lose, and you play again in seven days with your season on the line.
Why This Match Matters So Much
The qualifying final format rewards the winner twice over. The victor gets a bye through to a preliminary final, plus an extra week to recover. For a team carrying knocks into September, that week is worth more than any form line.
The loser drops into a semi final. From there, three straight wins are needed to reach the grand final on 26 September. No margin remains for a poor quarter.
Fremantle also carry the weight of the minor premiership. This is only the second time in club history that the Dockers have finished on top of the ladder. Their record home and away season delivered the reward, and now comes the harder question of converting it.
Fremantle: Minor Premiers With Something to Prove
Justin Longmuir has built a side that grinds opponents down through the contest. The Dockers finished the home and away season with the most wins in club history, which is a genuine marker of consistency rather than a hot streak.
Optus Stadium is a real weapon. A capacity crowd in Perth changes the noise level and the travel burden for visiting teams, and Fremantle have used that advantage repeatedly this season.
The concern sits in defence. Brennan Cox misses through a calf strain, and losing a key defender before a final is never ideal. Fremantle named five changes for the week, with Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Sam Switkowski, Heath Chapman and Brandon Walker all coming in.
Hawthorn: Chasing Flag Number 14
Sam Mitchell’s Hawks arrive as the away side, yet nobody is treating this as a formality. Hawthorn made just one change, bringing in Jack Ginnivan for Jack Dalton, and reported no late withdrawals.
Jack Gunston looms as the swing factor. In the Round 9 meeting between these teams at the same venue, Gunston kicked six goals and very nearly won the match on his own. Set shot accuracy from him changes the whole shape of the contest.
Jai Newcombe is the other name to watch. He rated as the standout performer across three finals last season, and Hawthorn need that midfield output again on the road.
The Round 9 Meeting Tells the Story
These sides met earlier in 2026 at Optus Stadium, and the result was one of the season’s best finishes.
Hawthorn led by 15 points at three quarter time and stretched the margin to 19 early in the final term. Gunston had six goals. The Hawks looked home.
Then Fremantle kicked the last five goals of the night to win 12.16 (88) to 11.7 (73). Michael Frederick and Jye Amiss booted three apiece, while Luke Jackson dominated the contested ball with 22 disposals, seven clearances and 10 tackles.
Two lessons come out of that game. Fremantle can win from a long way back at home. Hawthorn can lead this opponent for three quarters in Perth.
The Tactical Battle
Longmuir confirmed before the bounce that Brandon Walker would take the job on Nick Watson. Shutting down Hawthorn’s small forward pressure is a clear priority.
Fremantle’s edge in the earlier meeting came from field position. They won clearances by 12, inside 50s by 14, and scored 49 points to 21 from stoppages. However, they were inaccurate in front of goal, and expected score data had the true margin closer to 22 points.
Wet weather has been a factor in Perth this evening. Ground level ball winning becomes far more valuable in those conditions, which suits contested midfield groups.
Where This Sits in the 2026 Finals Series
This is the first season of the AFL’s expanded finals format. Ten clubs now qualify, with a Wildcard Round played during the pre finals bye. The Western Bulldogs beat Collingwood 96 to 93, and Carlton accounted for Melbourne 74 to 55, to book their places.
The rest of week one runs as follows:
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fremantle v Hawthorn (Qualifying Final) | Thu 3 September | Optus Stadium |
| Geelong v Carlton | Fri 4 September | MCG |
| Sydney v Brisbane (Qualifying Final) | Sat 5 September | SCG |
| Adelaide v Western Bulldogs | Sat 5 September | Adelaide Oval |
Brisbane enter as back to back premiers, chasing a third straight flag after beating Geelong by 47 points in the 2025 grand final. If the Lions win at the SCG, the road to the decider likely runs through Perth and Brisbane.
What to Watch For
- Gunston’s set shots. He punished Fremantle in Round 9 and remains Hawthorn’s most dangerous target.
- Luke Jackson and the ruck battle. Fremantle’s clearance dominance was the foundation of the earlier win.
- The final quarter. Fremantle have shown they can close hard at Optus Stadium. Hawthorn have shown they can build a lead there.
- Accuracy. Fremantle finished 12.16 last time. A repeat could cost them a home preliminary final.
The Bottom Line
Fremantle start favourites, and the reasons are sound. Home ground, minor premiership form, a settled list and a proven ability to win the contested game.
Hawthorn have the profile of a side that can upset the seedings. They pushed Fremantle to the final minutes in Perth once already this year, and they arrive with almost a full list available.
Whoever wins tonight takes a fortnight of rest and a home preliminary final. Whoever loses starts a much harder climb.
