Brisbane Lions complete stunning comeback to seal historic three-peat

The Brisbane Lions have etched their names into AFL history, producing a remarkable late comeback to defeat the Fremantle Dockers by seven points in a gripping 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In front of 100,023 spectators, Brisbane overturned a significant deficit with a breathtaking final-quarter surge, booting the final four goals of the contest to secure their third consecutive premiership.

The victory completes Brisbane’s second three-peat in club history, following the Lions’ famous run of three consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003. The achievement places the modern Brisbane side alongside the small group of teams to have accomplished the feat twice in VFL/AFL history.

Fremantle appeared in control for long periods and looked set to finally deliver the club its first premiership since entering the AFL in 1995. The Dockers were playing in only their second Grand Final, having previously lost to Hawthorn in 2013.

But Brisbane refused to surrender.

With the pressure mounting and the MCG crowd roaring, the Lions found another gear when it mattered most. Their late attacking burst completely changed the complexion of the contest and left Fremantle searching for answers as the premiership slipped away in the closing stages.

For Brisbane, the triumph represents the continuation of a remarkable era. The Lions have now appeared in four consecutive Grand Finals, winning the premiership in 2024, 2025 and 2026.

Young star Will Ashcroft again played a significant role in Brisbane’s finals campaign, having entered the decider with two previous Grand Final best-on-ground performances already to his name. At just 22, Ashcroft had been chasing the rare feat of three Norm Smith Medals, a record previously achieved only by Richmond great Dustin Martin.

Fremantle’s Shai Bolton, meanwhile, produced a remarkable individual performance despite ending the afternoon on the losing side. Bolton won the Norm Smith Medal, becoming only the fifth player in AFL history and the first in 21 years to claim the award in a losing Grand Final team.

The result brings heartbreak for Fremantle after a season in which the Dockers had established themselves as one of the competition’s leading sides. Their journey to the Grand Final included a dramatic preliminary-final comeback against Sydney, while Brisbane overcame Hawthorn in a thrilling preliminary final at the MCG.

But on the biggest stage, it was Brisbane’s resilience that ultimately decided the contest.

As the final siren sounded beneath a rain-soaked Melbourne sky, the Lions celebrated another chapter in their extraordinary modern dynasty, while Fremantle were left to contemplate a Grand Final that had been within their grasp before Brisbane produced one final, unforgettable surge.

The 2026 Grand Final will be remembered not simply for the premiership it delivered, but for the manner in which Brisbane refused to let history pass them by.

The author has graduated in Linguistics and Literature from NUML and has a vast experience in Journalism. A dedicated individual who possesses a deep passion for sports and politics. Catch him on X at @yforyashal