{"id":91030,"date":"2026-09-14T15:47:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T05:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=91030"},"modified":"2026-09-14T15:47:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T05:47:26","slug":"2026-afl-preliminary-finals-tips-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/09\/2026-afl-preliminary-finals-tips-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 AFL Preliminary Finals Tips &amp; Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>A date with destiny awaits this weekend as we learn once and for all who will play in the 2026 AFL Grand Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two fascinating Prelim games stand between now and the most famous day in September, and as in years past, there&#8217;s a genuine case to be made for all four remaining clubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Swans step out on the SCG with fresh legs to host minor premiers Fremantle on Friday night, while the Lions are back to the MCG hoping to replicate their dominant win over the Hawks only five weeks earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Who makes it through? Best bets and analysis ahead of a stacked Preliminary Finals weekend below!<\/p>\n\n\n<style><\/style><div data-league=\"AFL\" data-event=\"champion-129910402-160-60\" data-market=\"null\" data-sport=\"australian_rules\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner wp-block-entain-sport-takeover-banner-block_cacd21db8827f31fb74157ba05ad92ea sport-data\">    <section class=\"sport-takeover-banner__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"origin-banner__inner\">\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__details\">\n                <!-- Change data-countdown-to to your event date\/time. -->\n                <div\n                    class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown\"\n                    data-countdown-to=\"2026-09-18T09:40:00Z\"\n                    aria-label=\"Event countdown\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\" data-days-wrapper>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-days>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Days<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-hours>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Hours<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-minutes>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Mins<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-seconds>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Secs<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"sport-takeover-banner__title\">AFL<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"sport-takeover-banner__meta\">SCG &bull; Friday 18th Sep<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams\">\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--one\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/sydney-swans-vs-fremantle\/2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#sydney-swans\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Sydney Swans <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/sydney-swans-vs-fremantle\/2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$2.50<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams__vs\">vs<\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--two\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/sydney-swans-vs-fremantle\/2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#fremantle\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Fremantle <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/sydney-swans-vs-fremantle\/2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$1.55<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__disclaimer\">AFL odds correct as of 15\/09\/2026 and subject to change. <\/div>\n            \n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<section class=\"entain-block teams-tip-block hoverable\">\n  <div class=\"teams-tip-header\">\n    <div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta\">\n      <!--div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta__inner\"-->\n        <div class=\"team-vs-team\" style=\"display:flex\">\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#sydney-swans\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n          <div style=\"display:flex; flex-direction:row; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; text-align:center; column-gap:5px; font-weight: 700\">\n            <div class=\"team_1\" style=\"flex-direction:column;\">Sydney Swans<\/div>\n            <div class=\"versus\" style=\"font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;\">vs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"team_2\">Fremantle<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"info\">Friday 18th September 2026 7:40 PM (SCG)<\/div>\n                                              <\/div>\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#fremantle-dockers\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <!--\/div -->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      <div class='teams-tip-content'>\n      <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Dockers leave Perth for the first time in several weeks after\u00a0finally\u00a0hitting the button on\u00a0Wharfie\u00a0Time during last Friday\u2019s win over the Cats.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Luke Jackson was instrumental in the 14-point\u00a0victory,\u00a0showcasing\u00a0why he is indeed one of the craftiest\u00a0rucks\u00a0in the game with two goals and 25 touches\u00a0to his name.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unlike\u00a0a\u00a0week earlier\u00a0against the Hawks, the Dockers\u00a0burst\u00a0out of the blocks to lead by four goals at the\u00a0quarter time, although some\u00a0nervy moments followed when the Cats managed to trim the margin to eight points with\u00a0a minute remaining in the game.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Early dominance was the theme of Sydney\u2019s monster Qualifying Final win over the Lions two weeks ago, although many are wondering whether the Swans have already played their Grand Final.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unlocking\u00a0the best of\u00a0Errol Gulden will be the biggest challenge if the Swans are to continue\u00a0their magical run in the face of adversity,\u00a0while at the same time, they need to find a way to stop the Dockers around the clearances and limit Jackson\u2019s involvement.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How Freo handles the dimensions of the SCG is also a challenge given they\u00a0haven\u2019t\u00a0played at this venue in just over a year.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">All up, this\u00a0a coin\u00a0flip game and one you could argue either way, but if the Dockers take care of the footy\u00a0and manage to set up their dominant uncontested marking game early, they\u2019ll be one step closer to a well-deserved spot in the Grand Final.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Prediction:<\/strong> Fremantle to Cover (-11.5 Points)\u00a0@\u00a0$1.90<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Value:<\/strong> Fremantle 1-39\u00a0@\u00a0$2.25<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Player Pick:<\/strong> Errol Gulden Anytime Goalkicker\u00a0@\u00a0$2.65<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n        <div class=\"teams-tip-button\">\t\t\t\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/australian-rules\/afl\/sydney-swans-vs-fremantle\/2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\" data-tr-event-id=\"2c7c3a58-4be3-46a7-81dd-e2d07fa6a130\"  \n          >Bet Now<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<style><\/style><div data-league=\"AFL\" data-event=\"champion-129910401-80-20\" data-market=\"null\" data-sport=\"australian_rules\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner wp-block-entain-sport-takeover-banner-block_d761c37d8a4343ad99104ad945bc301f sport-data\">    <section class=\"sport-takeover-banner__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"origin-banner__inner\">\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__details\">\n                <!-- Change data-countdown-to to your event date\/time. -->\n                <div\n                    class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown\"\n                    data-countdown-to=\"2026-09-19T07:15:00Z\"\n                    aria-label=\"Event countdown\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\" data-days-wrapper>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-days>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Days<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-hours>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Hours<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-minutes>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Mins<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-seconds>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Secs<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"sport-takeover-banner__title\">AFL<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"sport-takeover-banner__meta\">MCG &bull; Saturday 19th Sep<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams\">\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--one\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/hawthorn-vs-brisbane-lions\/df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#hawthorn\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Hawthorn <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/hawthorn-vs-brisbane-lions\/df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$2.00<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams__vs\">vs<\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--two\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/hawthorn-vs-brisbane-lions\/df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg#brisbane-lions\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Brisbane Lions <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/australian-rules\/hawthorn-vs-brisbane-lions\/df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$1.82<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__disclaimer\">AFL odds correct as of 15\/09\/2026 and subject to change. <\/div>\n            \n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<section class=\"entain-block teams-tip-block hoverable\">\n  <div class=\"teams-tip-header\">\n    <div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta\">\n      <!--div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta__inner\"-->\n        <div class=\"team-vs-team\" style=\"display:flex\">\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#hawthorn-hawks\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n          <div style=\"display:flex; flex-direction:row; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; text-align:center; column-gap:5px; font-weight: 700\">\n            <div class=\"team_1\" style=\"flex-direction:column;\">Hawthorn<\/div>\n            <div class=\"versus\" style=\"font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;\">vs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"team_2\">Brisbane Lions<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"info\">Saturday 19th September 2026 5:15 PM (MCG)<\/div>\n                                              <\/div>\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-afl-icon.svg?v=20260821a#brisbane-lions\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <!--\/div -->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      <div class='teams-tip-content'>\n      <p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Hawks have had nightmares about the Lions since they went down by 67 points at the Gabba just over a month ago, and after watching Brisbane beat up on the Crows last week, coach Sam Mitchell might be having flashbacks.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0back to back\u00a0premiers\u00a0returned\u00a0to their\u00a0dangerous\u00a0best, wasting no time piling on\u00a0five unanswered goals within the first 10 minutes, before Daniel Curtin finally got the Crows on the board.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Just like Freo, though, the Lions left the door open for Adelaide to come roaring back, finding themselves within 10 points before Chris Fagan\u2019s side again put their foot down.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Defensively, the Lions have looked vulnerable in\u00a0more ways than one\u00a0this year, and although the Hawks were flogged when these two sides last met, the stat sheet was\u00a0relatively even\u00a0in a few key departments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hawthorn lost the inside 50 count by a big\u00a0margin, but\u00a0won the clearances and were dominant winning hit outs in the ruck.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Where the Hawks went wrong was finding targets inside their forward half, opting for an aerial assault, rather than testing Brisbane\u2019s ability to defend ground balls \u2013 which is where players like Nick Watson excel.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Expect a different\u00a0approach from Sam Mitchell this time around, and with an extra week to prepare, there\u2019s every reason to believe in the Hawks and their coach \u2013 especially if they can bring that same brand of composed, high pressure footy that caused Freo plenty of headaches.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Prediction:<\/strong> Hawks to Cover (+2.5 Points)\u00a0@\u00a0$1.90<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Value:<\/strong> Hawks to Win &amp; Over 184.5 Total Points\u00a0@\u00a0$3.80<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Player Pick:<\/strong> Nick Watson 3+ Goals\u00a0@\u00a0$1.98<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n        <div class=\"teams-tip-button\">\t\t\t\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/australian-rules\/afl\/hawthorn-vs-brisbane-lions\/df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\" data-tr-event-id=\"df33de65-320c-45fb-9b3b-7bbe4a2cf2d3\"  \n          >Bet Now<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A date with destiny awaits this weekend as we learn once and for all who will play in the 2026 AFL Grand Final. Two fascinating Prelim games stand between now and the most famous day in September, and as in years past, there&#8217;s a genuine case to be made for all four remaining clubs. The Swans step out on the SCG with fresh legs to host minor premiers Fremantle on Friday night, while the Lions are back to the MCG hoping to replicate their dominant win over the Hawks only five weeks earlier. Who makes it through? Best bets and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":91031,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-91030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-australian-rules"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"14\/09\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=91030"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91030\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":91032,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/91030\/revisions\/91032"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=91030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=91030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=91030"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=91030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}