The AFL Grand Final went right down to the wire in an absolute classic. Here's whose stocks are up and down.
Our footy experts cast their eye over the week's action to find out whose stocks are up -- whether it's a coaching masterstroke or a player having a blinder -- and whose are down.
Brisbane
Stocks up: It might not be your day, but you can still make it your moment. Nothing summed up Logan Morris' Grand Final like this old footy cliche. Morris struggled to stamp himself on the contest for much of the afternoon, but when Brisbane needed a hero late, he rose to the occasion. The 21-year-old key forward clunked a massive contested mark with 90 seconds to play and kicked truly to put the Lions up by a point. A minute later he snapped the sealer to complete one of the more remarkable comebacks in Grand Final history.
No current player in the league has played in more Grand Finals than Josh Dunkley (6) and yet no player was playing like their life was on the line more than the unheralded Lion. Dunkley's sixth Big Dance was his best. He worked his backside off all afternoon and left nothing in the tank. Dunkley had 21 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 12 tackles, and eight intercepts. His defensive work was a thing of beauty, constantly getting a late fist in or a diving smother. A heart and soul player who just enhanced his reputation ... again.
We're not sure there's a more beloved member of this Lions dynasty than Chris Fagan. Brisbane's master coach simply has to be a lock for the Hall of Fame after guiding his side to four consecutive Grand Finals and winning three straight. Fagan joins Jock McHale, Norm Smith, Jack Worrall, Leigh Matthews, and Alastair Clarkson as coaches of a three-peat. Who knows if Saturday will be the final time we'll see him in the Lions coaching box...
Stocks down: It was a little disappointing to not see Lachie Neale produce the type of finals performance we've seen from him in the past. Motivation to perform at his devastating best should have been sky-high given the two-time Brownlow medallist was lucky to be playing on Saturday afternoon. Not to mention the potential of it being his last game for the Lions with reports he's set to ink a deal with Collingwood. However, Neale could only manage 20 disposals and three clearances as the Dockers midfield ran riot for much of the day. That's not bad on the surface, though a lot of it was done late. But hey, he has three premiership medals hanging around his neck.
Geez, perhaps some questions need to be asked of the Norm Smith Medal voters. We don't want to take anything away from Shai Bolton, but was his game of 26 disposals at 58% efficiency really good enough to earn the Norm Smith Medal in a losing side? There were a number of Lions who could easily have won the award. There was Dunkley, who was heart and soul all day. Will Ashcroft, who was immense in the final term to end up with 31 disposals, 13 contested possessions, and nine clearances. Dayne Zorko also enjoyed a day out.
BRISBANE ARE PREMIERS. HOW? pic.twitter.com/qdR2a2yWcQ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 26, 2026
Fremantle
Stocks up: The Dockers couldn't have asked for much more from their midfield group. It was one-way traffic out of the centre all day as Fremantle, led by Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Shai Bolton, and Hayden Young outworked and outhustled the Lions midfielders. The Dockers enjoyed a 45-31 advantage in clearances and won the inside 50 count by 14.
As recently as 24 months ago questions were being asked of Justin Longmuir and whether he was the right man to lead this Dockers team forward. The decision of the board to back their man in nearly paid the ultimate dividend on Saturday afternoon, as the Dockers fell agonisingly short of the club's maiden premiership.
Regardless of the result, it's hard to argue against this Fremantle list being right in the premiership mix again in 2027 and beyond. A minor premiership and Grand Final berth with such a young, talented group was no fluke, and this was in no way the end of their journey. Sure, there are areas to improve, but the Dockers have proven they have the mettle to compete in finals, win big games, and genuinely challenge for silverware. There's plenty of reason to keep buying into this group, whose premiership window remains open.
Stocks down: We don't know who pressed the 'Wharfie Time' button at the MCG, but from that moment on it was all Brisbane. Leading by 17 points with four minutes to go, the Dockers looked to be home as Wharfie Time was deployed. But goals to Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, and two to Logan Morris completed a staggering 24-point turnaround.
You really have to feel for Alex Pearce. The Dockers skipper went down early in the third quarter with what appears to be an Achilles injury. Pearce was sprinting towards the ball when he felt something pop and immediately fell to the turf. He came from the ground moments later, took a seat in the back row of the bench and was seen icing his right Achilles.