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The second preliminary final between Sydney Swans and Fremantle Dockers takes place on Friday, 18 September 2026 at the SCG, with the UK listed kick-off at 10:40am and the local start time at 7:40pm AEST.[1][2][3] For British viewers, the match is available on HBO Max and TNT Sports 1, while the international broadcast options also include ABC Australia, ESPN, FOX One, Fox Sports 2 and a range of other regional services.[1][2]
That broad coverage underlines the growing global appeal of the AFL finals, with the winner advancing to the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final.[1][3] Sydney are hosting the clash at the SCG after confirming their preliminary final berth, while Fremantle head in with a shot at a first Grand Final appearance in years.[1][3]
The headline commentary team for the Australian radio coverage is stacked with some of the best-known voices in the game. Anthony Hudson has built a major reputation in Australian sport through years of television and radio calling, while Bruce Eva is another experienced play-by-play broadcaster with a long AFL calling background. Matthew Lloyd, the former Essendon spearhead, has become a prominent analyst thanks to his direct, tactical style, and Jimmy Bartel brings elite playing experience from Geelong and a strong media profile to the broadcast.[1]
On 3AW and FiveAA, the coverage also features Sam McClure and reporter Spiro Christopoulos, giving the call a strong news and analysis edge.[1] In Perth, Adam Papalia and Mark Readings lead the call on 6PR, supported by former Fremantle champion David Mundy and ex-West Coast defender Will Schofield, both of whom offer insider perspective from recent AFL careers.[1]
The 7plus and Channel 7 coverage is fronted by James Brayshaw and Abbey Holmes. Brayshaw is one of Australia’s most recognisable sports broadcasters, with long-standing experience across cricket, AFL and television hosting, while Holmes has progressed from a decorated women’s football career into one of the most visible presenters and commentators in the sport.[1] The Seven broadcast also includes Matthew Richardson and Dale Thomas as pundits, with Alister Nicholson among the reporters.[1]
For radio and digital listeners, Gerard Whateley headlines AFL Nation alongside Tom Morris, Adam White, Ken Hinkley and Chad Cornes, giving that call a deeply analytical flavour.[1] Ken Hinkley and Chad Cornes are especially familiar to football followers for their coaching and premiership-era credentials, which adds authority to the broadcast discussion.[1]
Fox Footy and Kayo Sports bring another major option, led by Sarah Jones, Dwayne Russell, Mark Howard, David King, Jack Riewoldt, Jason Dunstall and Leigh Montagna, with Brad Johnson, Eddie Betts and Jon Ralph among the reporters.[1] That combination blends elite playing experience with polished studio presentation, making it one of the strongest AFL finals broadcasts available anywhere.[1]
The world feed also carries heavyweight names, with James Brayshaw, Alister Nicholson, Matthew Richardson, Dale Thomas, Abbey Holmes and Xander McGuire listed.[1] That feed is especially important for international broadcasters, including those in the UK and North America, because it standardises the main match presentation across multiple territories.[1]
For readers wanting more on the competition itself, the official AFL site has the latest finals fixture and match details here: AFL preliminary finals fixture.[1] With a place in the Grand Final on the line, this Sydney v Fremantle showdown is set to be one of the most watched AFL broadcasts of the year.[1][3]
Article generated: 18 September 2026, 10:40 GMT