Swans face Dockers in preliminary final at Optus Stadium

2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 8:40 AM

Last updated Sep 18, 2026

Swans face Dockers in preliminary final at Optus Stadium

Summary

Sydney Swans host Fremantle Dockers in a preliminary final at Optus Stadium on September 18, 2026. Sydney aims for their third Grand Final appearance in five years, with momentum from a strong finals series performance against Brisbane. Fremantle seeks their second Grand Final, last reaching the decider in 2013, having bounced back after a disappointing initial qualifying final. The match is currently underway, and live updates are available.

Source Links

The Guardian Sport AFL

By the Numbers

•Swans defeated Lions in their previous match, scoring a club-high finals total.
•Dockers eliminated the Cats in a tight contest after a previous loss.
•Sydney is without five key players for the remainder of the season due to bans.
•This match represents Fremantle's first preliminary final appearance in 11 years.

Latest Updates

8:40 AMThe Guardian Sport — Sydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers: AFL preliminary final – live
8:15 AMAFL — LIVE: It's do-or-die as Swans host Dockers in huge preliminary final

What they're saying

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Updates as the Swans host the minor premiers at the SCG Start time in Sydney is 7.40pm AEST/5.40pm AWST Sign up for our AFL newsletter | Any thoughts? Send an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL preliminary final between Sydney and Fremantle at the SCG. The Swans are one win away from the most unlikely of grand final berths after they banned five players – including three top-liners – a month ago for a breach of club standards. The Dockers’ path towards a first spot in the AFL decider since the club’s only visit to the Big Dance in 2013 was taking a much more traditional route as they stormed their way to the minor premiership. That was at least until they were blown off course in a horror home qualifying final defeat to the Hawks. The undermanned Sydney finished as runners-up in the home and away season and – to the surprise of many, including yours truly – took a huge leap towards a third grand final in five years with a stirring triumph over the highly fancied Lions. But doubts remain over whether their galvanised group fired their shot in that qualifying final victory against the surprisingly complacent two-time reigning premiers to earn a home preliminary final. Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter – From the Pocket Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Martin Pegan at the SCG