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The Grand Final Parade has been run and done.

Both Fremantle and Brisbane players went around the Melbourne Park precinct sitting in the back of the Toyota Hiluxes as they took in their surroundings ahead of tomorrow's big game.

But despite the relaxed nature of the parade, there was still plenty of competition.

Lions' co-captain Josh Dunkley and Fremantle captain Alex Pearce hoisted the cup to the crowd, holding on for an extended period of time.

But in the end, it was Dunkley who got the last touch.

In last year's parade, Lachie Neale also had the last touch on the premiership cup with Brisbane going to defeat Geelong.

Is this the omen that could seal Brisbane's historic three-peat?

Nicholas Quinlan

Dockers CEO: The mindset shift that helped Freo make GF

Fremantle CEO Simon Garlick has reflected on the most notable difference within this year’s side compared to last year's.

Following their elimination final loss against Gold Coast last year, the Dockers rebounded to be the competition’s best side throughout the home and away season.

And whilst a qualifying final loss to Hawthorn threw a spanner in their hopes, Freo overcame and went the long way around to make their second AFL Grand Final.

Reflecting on what is different from 2025 to now, the former Bulldogs CEO notes their growing experience has given the side an air of maturity which it previously lacked 12 months ago.  

“I think it's maturity,” Garlick said on SEN’s Fireball.

“We've got a group now that I think are at their core, 23, 24, 25 years of age.

“They're strong, they're men, we play Brissie at the Gabba (and) it just struck me that our boys are big and strong and powerful, and I don't think that was the case necessarily last year.

“Clearly wouldn't change significantly in 12 months, but I just think they got over a bit of a hump.

“They were able to take a lot more workload, and I think there's a maturity in the group.

“Andy (Andrew Brayshaw) and Caleb (Serong) are 24, 25 now; they're seasoned, 150 (game) heading towards 200 game players.

“Then I think there's a lot more belief…about the style of play, and there's the technical components of it, and then it's them believing they're good enough, and I think they do.”

Nicholas Quinlan

Fagan responds to retirement speculation

Chris Fagan was forthright when asked about his future as Brisbane Lions coach.

There has been speculation swirling that the two-time premiership coach could retire if the Lions complete the three-peat by beating Fremantle on Saturday.

Ahead of the 2026 Grand Final, Fagan was asked about his future at the pre-match press conference.

“I’m only worried about the game tomorrow,” Fagan said.

“Every year for the last two or three years I’ve had a chat with our CEO and president about when’s the right time for me to finish up.

“This is my 10th year, I’ve been going for a while. So I’ll get through this game and probably have the usual chats that I’ve had every other year post this game and see what happens.”

There has been some noise surrounding a possible Fagan retirement over the past few days in particular, but he is not reading into the chatter too much.

“It’s fair enough to speculate about it but I honestly don’t know right at this point in time whether I’ll keep going or not,” he added.

“But I was like that last year and the year before. So I’ve just got to work out the right time to go.

“There will be a few more discussions about that. But it’s not the big issue. We’ve got to play a game tomorrow.”

Kane Cornes would be shocked if Fagan walked away from the Lions after this year’s Grand Final.

Cornes says Fagan’s record belongs up there with some of the very best coaches we’ve seen, and admits he would be surprised if he were to bow out.

“Win or lose he’s a legend and he’s in rare air,” Cornes said on Fireball.

“The guy just wins. He’s been involved in plenty of premierships from his time as an assistant coach at Hawthorn.

“Chris Fagan has got that winning feeling. In terms of a third premiership, the Grand Finals, the prelim finals, the success, rebuilding a club from the absolute bottom up - he’s right up there.

“We’re talking up there with the best ever.”

David King asked: “It couldn’t be true that he could walk away after this, surely?”

Cornes replied: “I keep hearing that. I’ve got no idea.”

King: “If you won it you’d have to go for the ultimate.”

Cornes: “I think you’d have to go for four because this group is not going anywhere. They’ll only get better.

“I’d be surprised if he walked away.”

King: “If he lost it I could understand. I could understand being a senior AFL coach taking its toll.

“He could do anything he wants in footy after this.”

Andrew Slevison