Fremantle recover from 27-point deficit at the SCG to beat Sydney 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) in preliminary final

Fremantle overturned a 27-point deficit to defeat Sydney 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) in the AFL preliminary final at the SCG on 18 September 2026, securing a place in the grand final. The Dockers produced the last six goals of the match to complete a 12-point victory and advance to the second grand final in club history.

Trailing by 27 late in the third quarter, Justin Longmuir’s side were propelled back into the contest after Hayden Young nailed a difficult set shot following the three-quarter-time siren. Fremantle’s surge in the final term saw them overturn Sydney’s advantage and move past a tense knockout clash. The win sets up a grand final meeting with either Hawthorn or Brisbane at the MCG.

The decisive quarter featured five Fremantle goals, with Isaiah Dudley running into an open goal with under two minutes remaining to add the Dockers’ fifth major of that period. Dudley’s goal was one of a string of scores that erased Sydney’s lead; Patrick Voss produced a notable fend-off then kicked a checkside goal on the run during the same passage.

Key contributors for Fremantle included Hayden Young (28 disposals), Andrew Brayshaw (29) and Caleb Serong (28), while Shai Bolton kicked two goals. Luke Jackson also finished with two goals and contested a ruck battle with Brodie Grundy as the Dockers piled on pressure in the closing stages.

Sydney had been led earlier by Errol Gulden, who collected 36 disposals and helped establish their lead, and Logan McDonald, who kicked three goals. The Swans’ performance came without injured captain Callum Mills and with five players sidelined because of bans related to the Pullman Hotel scandal.

Fremantle’s comeback, capped by Young’s set shot after the three-quarter siren and the final-quarter scoring burst, completed their progression to the season’s final match. They will now face either Hawthorn or Brisbane in the grand final at the MCG.