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Saturday Rub returns with James Brayshaw fronting Triple M’s AFL coverage on LiSTNR / Triple M for the Hawthorn v Brisbane Lions preliminary final at the MCG, with the match scheduled for 5:15pm AEST on Saturday 19 September 2026. The contest is the first preliminary final of the 2026 AFL finals series, and it shapes as one of the biggest broadcasts of the week for listeners in the UK and around the world, especially those following the action via radio and streaming rather than television.[12][13][20]
For British readers, the key thing is that this is a late-night watch/listen slot by UK standards, with the game starting in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time. The fixture listings confirm Hawthorn against Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday 19 September, and multiple AFL schedules list the match as the first preliminary final of the finals weekend.[1][7][12]
James Brayshaw has long been one of Australian sport’s most recognisable broadcasters, best known for his work across AFL radio and television as well as his easy, conversational style on matchday shows. On Saturday Rub, he is joined by a panel of experienced AFL voices in Billy Brownless, Bernie Vince and Damian Barrett, giving the programme a blend of humour, ex-player insight and news-driven analysis that has become a hallmark of Triple M’s weekend football coverage.
Billy Brownless, a former Geelong premiership forward and one of the most familiar personalities in footy media, is known for his entertaining, often light-hearted style. Bernie Vince, a former Adelaide and Melbourne midfielder, brings recent playing experience and a strong feel for modern team structures and finals pressure. Damian Barrett, meanwhile, is one of the most respected AFL journalists in the country and is widely associated with breaking news and on-the-ground reporting, particularly around lists, selection calls and finals narratives.
The broader context is significant: Hawthorn and Brisbane are competing for a place in the 2026 AFL Grand Final at the MCG, with the winner moving one step away from the premiership decider. AFL coverage around the finals has confirmed the venue and timing, with ticket details already issued for the match and the MCG set to host the game in front of a major crowd.[3][12][13]
For audiences wondering where to follow the game, LiSTNR and Triple M are the nominated audio options in the information provided here, while the official AFL fixture and finals pages confirm the match details and timing. In practical terms, that makes Saturday Rub a strong option for fans who want live commentary, post-match reaction and a more relaxed, talk-heavy broadcast rather than a straight play-by-play call.[9][12]
Brayshaw’s presence is particularly important because he is one of the best-known hosts in Australian football media, able to steer the programme between analysis and entertainment. Brownless is the comic foil and nostalgic clubman, Vince provides a recent-player perspective, and Barrett adds credibility on selection, trade and finals strategy. That combination is designed to suit a preliminary final, where pressure, tactical changes and late team news often dominate discussion.
The match itself has also drawn widespread attention because Hawthorn and Brisbane are meeting at a venue with deep football significance. The MCG is the traditional home of Australian football’s biggest fixtures, and the AFL has confirmed this preliminary final as a 5:15pm AEST start on Saturday 19 September.[12][13] For UK and global fans, that means an overnight or early-morning listen depending on location, making radio and streaming particularly useful for keeping up with the action.
If you are following the 2026 finals from overseas, it is worth noting that international broadcast arrangements can vary by territory. The match listings and schedule pages confirm the fixture itself, while the radio and streaming setup around Triple M and LiSTNR provides an accessible way to stay connected to the game wherever you are.[1][7][10]
AFL preliminary finals fixture details
Article generated: 19 September 2026, 03:03 GMT