Dockers storm home to stun Swans and reach Grand Final

Fremantle are going to the Grand Final. The Dockers came from 27 points down late in the third quarter to beat Sydney 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) at the SCG on September 18, 2026. Guardian

It is only the second Grand Final in club history. Fremantle will meet either Hawthorn or Brisbane in the premiership decider.

The game was the second preliminary final of the 2026 finals series. In AFL terms, that is the last four. Win and you play for the flag. Lose and the season is over. AFL.com.au

Sydney controlled most of the night. The Swans stretched their lead to 28 points before Fremantle stopped the slide. The Dockers still trailed by 27 points late in the third quarter.

Then the run started. Fremantle kicked the last six goals of the match to steal it by 12 points.

Hayden Young started the surge. He converted a set shot, a shot at goal after a mark or free kick, after the three-quarter-time siren. That goal cut the gap and gave Fremantle belief.

The last quarter belonged to the visitors. Patrick Voss kicked a checkside goal on the run, a bending kick across the body, after fending off an opponent. Isaiah Dudley then ran into an open goal with less than two minutes left to seal it.

Fremantle’s midfield drove the comeback. Andrew Brayshaw finished with 29 disposals, with disposals counting kicks and handpasses together. Caleb Serong and Young each had 28. Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson each kicked two goals.

Sydney were undermanned. Injured captain Callum Mills missed, with Dane Rampe leading the side in his place. The Swans were also without five players banned over the Pullman Hotel scandal fallout.

Even so, Sydney played sharp footy early. Errol Gulden collected 36 disposals for the Swans. Logan McDonald kicked three goals.

The Swans led by 19 points at half-time despite losing the territory battle. Fremantle led the inside-50 count 31-27 at the main break, which measures how often each team enters its attacking zone. ABC

Coach Justin Longmuir’s side entered September as minor premiers after finishing top of the home-and-away ladder. They carried the tag of underdogs into Sydney, then played like it late. Hard at the contest. Direct forward.

What makes this stand out is the timing. Six straight goals in a preliminary final, away from home, takes nerve. Fremantle found space when the ground felt smallest. Now they get a week to get ready for the last Saturday in September.