AFL Grand Final: Lions steal thriller at the death, Bolton claims Norm Smith

Jarred Cross Published September 26, 2026 at 4.15pm (AWST)

sport

Charlie Cameron kicked three goals in an all-time grand final to claim his third premiership medal. (Image: Joel Carrett/AAP)

Brisbane are AFL premiers for the third-straight year after ripping the heart out of Fremantle with four straight goals at the death to claim an all-time classic 14.12 (89) - 12.17 (89).

Shai Bolton was a surprise Norm Smith medal winner in a losing effort.

The Dockers triggered 'Wharfie Time' with the 17-point buffer and just over four minutes remaining in the contest, before Charlie Cameron prompted his side's comeback by snapping his third major of the contest.

For much of the contest, neither side extended their advantage beyond two goals, with more than a dozen lead changes in the seesawing contest.

Fremantle were without skipper Alex Pearce from just after half time, who suffered a cruel achilles injury to end his afternoon.

Alex Pearce is out of the game after suffering an Achilles injury 😔#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/KRYPw69E8L
— AFL (@AFL) September 26, 2026

Without him, Fremantle's depleted backline scrambled well under serious fire from the Lions' midfield after three quarter time.

Chasing their club's first flag after entering the competition over three decades ago, Fremantle's failures to convert allowed the Lions to claim a second three-peat this century in the dying moments.

It was Logan Morris, Pearce's opponent for most of the second half, who kicked the final two majors of the game.

Charlie Cameron, who opened his side's scoring, claimed his third premiership medal in as many seasons.

*Charlie Cameron claimed his third premiership medal after as many majors and a role in Brisbane's thrilling comeback. (Image: James Ross/AAP)*

In a devastating loss, Shai Bolton was among Fremantle's best and most creative with the football, and judged the game's best after, while Isaiah Dudley was stripped of a fairytale in his first full season despite hitting the scoreboard with two goals of his own.

The two sides went into half time deadlocked at 6.7 (43).

Brisbane did most of their damage from distance, while Fremantle hit the scoreboard from deeper inside fifty through a three-pronged tall attack.

The swaying advantage continued after the main break.

Fremantle got the jump in the third, including a special effort from Dudley, before Brisbane nabbed back the lead through Cameron.

Isaiah Dudley is an excitement machine 🤩#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/FEE7SwzDWV
— AFL (@AFL) September 26, 2026

It looked like the Dockers were heading toward a maiden flag when Hayden Young put the game on his back with two straight goals heading into the final change.

Leading by 10 at three quarter time, Fremantle's backline was holding out under the onslaught but the Dockers sprayed their opportunities at the other end.

In similar fashion to last year's run over Geelong, the Lions looked very capable of stealing things while the Dockers appeared to go into their shell.

Bolton kept accumulating, was good by foot, and set up a number of goals for his team with a Norm Smith-winning performance and team-high 26 touches.

He became the first player to win the medal from a losing side since Chris Judd in 2005.

Lenny Hayes claimed it in 2010's draw.

Bolton joins the likes of Maurice Rioli, Peter Matera, Andrew McLeod, Byon Pickett, Cyril Rioli and Bobby Hill as First Nations Norm Smith winners.