Swans face Dockers in preliminary final at Optus Stadium
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 18, 2026, 12:32 PM
Last updated Sep 18, 2026
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.
- •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.
- 12:32 PMThe Guardian Sport — Fremantle come from the clouds to overrun Sydney and seal spot in second AFL grand final
- 12:24 PMAFL — Dockers storm home to seal Grand Final berth in epic finish over Swans
- 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
"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...
"Dockers defeat Swans 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) in AFL preliminary final Minor premiers to meet Hawthorn or Brisbane in grand final at the MCG Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Fremantle have pulled of a sensational last-quarter comeback to surge into the AFL grand final with a tense 12-point win over Sydney. Trailing by 27 points late in the third quarter, the Dockers kicked the last six goals of their preliminary final to win 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) at the SCG. Continue reading...
"Follow all the action from the preliminary final between Sydney and Fremantle
Sources
External links- The Guardian SportSep 18, 2026, 12:32 PMFremantle come from the clouds to overrun Sydney and seal spot in second AFL grand final
Dockers defeat Swans 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) in AFL preliminary final Minor premiers to meet Hawthorn or Brisbane in grand final at the MCG Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter Fremantle have pulled of a sensational last-quarter comeback to surge into the AFL grand final with a tense 12-point win over Sydney. Trailing by 27 points late in the third quarter, the Dockers kicked the last six goals of their preliminary final to win 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71) at the SCG. Continue reading...
- AFLSep 18, 2026, 12:24 PMDockers storm home to seal Grand Final berth in epic finish over Swans
Fremantle is into the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final after beating Sydney
- The Guardian SportSep 18, 2026, 8:40 AMSydney Swans v Fremantle Dockers: AFL preliminary final – live
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...
- AFLSep 18, 2026, 8:15 AMLIVE: It's do-or-die as Swans host Dockers in huge preliminary final
Follow all the action from the preliminary final between Sydney and Fremantle
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