Hawthorn Hawks host Brisbane Lions in AFL preliminary final
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 19, 2026, 10:29 AM
Last updated Sep 19, 2026

The Hawthorn Hawks face the Brisbane Lions in an AFL preliminary final at the MCG, with the match starting at 5:15 PM AEST. This matchup comes earlier than anticipated, as Hawthorn previously expected to meet Brisbane only in the grand final. Hawthorn secured their place after a significant qualifying final victory over Fremantle, allowing them to observe the competition unfold before this key clash. The winner will advance to play Fremantle in the grand final next Saturday.
- •Match starts at 5:15 PM AEST at the MCG.
- •Hawthorn previously defeated Fremantle in the qualifying final.
- •Brisbane has been the two-time reigning premiers.
- •Winner will face Fremantle in the grand final next Saturday.
- 10:29 AMThe Guardian Sport — Brisbane keep three-peat dream alive as last-gasp McCluggage goal breaks Hawthorn hearts
- 6:18 AMThe Guardian Sport — Hawthorn Hawks v Brisbane Lions: AFL preliminary final – live
"Updates as the Hawks host the reigning premiers at the MCG Start time in Melbourne is 5.15pm AEST Sign up for our AFL newsletter | Any thoughts? Send an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane at the MCG. The winner of this game will face Fremantle in the AFL grand final at the MCG next Saturday. Hawthorn have been able to sit back and watch as all but two other teams have dropped out of contention since their rollicking qualifying final victory against the Dockers. As the final siren sealed that rousing triumph on the road, the widely held view was that Sam Mitchell’s side would avoid meeting Brisbane until a possible grand final matchup. But a finals series very rarely, if ever, follows the script – and here we are, a week earlier than forecast, with the Hawks instead crossing paths with the two-time reigning premiers for a spot in the decider. Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter – From the Pocket Continue reading...
"Lions defeat Hawks 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122) in AFL preliminary final Reigning premiers to meet Fremantle in grand final at the MCG Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Brisbane have survived an almighty final-quarter fightback from Hawthorn to win an all-time great AFL preliminary final by nine points. A controversial holding-the-ball decision against Hawks defender Jarman Impey gave Hugh McCluggage a free kick and he kicked the match-winning goal with 18 seconds left. Continue reading...
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 19, 2026, 10:29 AMBrisbane keep three-peat dream alive as last-gasp McCluggage goal breaks Hawthorn hearts
Lions defeat Hawks 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122) in AFL preliminary final Reigning premiers to meet Fremantle in grand final at the MCG Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Brisbane have survived an almighty final-quarter fightback from Hawthorn to win an all-time great AFL preliminary final by nine points. A controversial holding-the-ball decision against Hawks defender Jarman Impey gave Hugh McCluggage a free kick and he kicked the match-winning goal with 18 seconds left. Continue reading...
- The Guardian SportSep 19, 2026, 6:18 AMHawthorn Hawks v Brisbane Lions: AFL preliminary final – live
Updates as the Hawks host the reigning premiers at the MCG Start time in Melbourne is 5.15pm AEST Sign up for our AFL newsletter | Any thoughts? Send an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane at the MCG. The winner of this game will face Fremantle in the AFL grand final at the MCG next Saturday. Hawthorn have been able to sit back and watch as all but two other teams have dropped out of contention since their rollicking qualifying final victory against the Dockers. As the final siren sealed that rousing triumph on the road, the widely held view was that Sam Mitchell’s side would avoid meeting Brisbane until a possible grand final matchup. But a finals series very rarely, if ever, follows the script – and here we are, a week earlier than forecast, with the Hawks instead crossing paths with the two-time reigning premiers for a spot in the decider. Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter – From the Pocket Continue reading...
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