Brisbane Lions win AFL premiership after late comeback over Fremantle
The Brisbane Lions secured a historic premiership, defeating Fremantle 14.12 (96) to 12.17 (89) at a rainy Melbourne Cricket Ground after erasing a 17-point deficit in the final four minutes. Trailing late in the match, the defending premiers mounted a four-goal surge that culminated in two decisive goals from Logan Morris, denying Fremantle what would have been a breakthrough flag. The victory marks the seventh time in VFL/AFL history that a team has won three successive premierships, placing Brisbane alongside Melbourne as the only clubs to achieve the feat twice.
Brisbane Lions Secure Historic AFL Premiership With Late Grand Final Comeback Over Fremantle
How the Grand Final Finish Unfolded at the MCG
Fremantle appeared poised to claim victory after activating “Wharfie Time” and pushing ahead by 17 points late in the fourth quarter, a margin built on the back of Hayden Young’s two late goals in the third term and a dominant stretch of play. However, the Dockers appeared stationary in the closing minutes as Brisbane launched a rapid counter-offensive. Charlie Cameron narrowed the deficit to 11 points, Zac Bailey capitalized on the ensuing centre bounce to cut the margin to five, and Morris converted a set shot before kicking the sealer. Fremantle’s Josh Treacy also missed a crucial scoring opportunity from the goal square during the tense final term, leaving the Dockers shattered as the Lions snatched the victory.
Match Statistics and Voting Breakdown
Fremantle’s Shai Bolton was awarded the Norm Smith Medal as best on ground, polling 10 votes from the voting panel to become the first losing player to win the award since Chris Judd in 2005. The voting panel comprised Andrew McLeod, Shaun Burgoyne, Chris Judd, Michael Voss, and Lauren Wood. Bolton received three votes from Judd and Voss, and two votes from Burgoyne, alongside single votes from McLeod and Wood. Brisbane’s Dayne Zorko and Will Ashcroft polled six votes each, while Caleb Serong earned four votes, Hayden Young picked up three votes, and Charlie Cameron registered one vote. Accepting the medal, Bolton addressed the crowd and his teammates, telling them to keep their heads up because the group will return stronger.