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3AW Sports Today will provide AFL finals build-up on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with Shane McInnes presenting and Tony Shaw offering expert punditry ahead of Hawthorn’s preliminary final against Brisbane Lions. The broader AFL picture on the day is the first preliminary final at the MCG, scheduled for 5:15pm AEST, with Hawthorn hosting Brisbane for a place in the Grand Final.[17][13][4]
For UK readers, this is a radio-led broadcast rather than a major British television event, so the key “where to watch” angle is really “where to listen” in Melbourne and online through 3AW’s coverage. The match itself sits at the centre of the AFL finals weekend, and the official AFL fixture listings confirm Hawthorn versus Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon local time.[2][16][17]
Shane McInnes is the regular voice guiding the programme, known for his polished sports presentation and match-day hosting across Melbourne radio. Tony Shaw, meanwhile, brings the weight of a distinguished AFL career: he is a former Collingwood premiership captain and one of the most recognisable football analysts in the Australian game, with decades of experience as both player and commentator. His background gives the broadcast a strong tactical edge, especially for a finals clash where structure, pressure and big-game composure are likely to dominate discussion.
This makes 3AW Sports Today a useful companion for supporters wanting analysis rather than just score updates. Hawthorn’s home preliminary final at the MCG is one of the major fixtures of the 2026 AFL season, and both AFL.com.au and the MCG’s own event listing confirm the venue, date and start time.[17][13] The match is also being framed as a huge step on the road to the Grand Final, with the winners advancing to the sport’s biggest stage the following week.
In practical terms, fans in Australia will be able to follow the game in person if they have tickets, while those outside Victoria can track the action through AFL media coverage and radio discussion. The MCG event page notes that tickets were sold through Ticketek and that the game is subject to availability, underlining how significant the fixture is within the finals calendar.[13] For a broader overview of the competition, the official AFL season and finals pages provide the most authoritative fixture information for 2026.[16][19]
The presence of Tony Shaw is also notable because his broadcasting career has made him a familiar finals voice for generations of AFL followers. His insight tends to focus on contest work, leadership and momentum swings, which is especially relevant in a game where Hawthorn and Brisbane have both shown they can play high-pressure football. With the MCG expected to be full of noise and tension, 3AW’s combination of live presentation and experienced commentary should appeal to listeners who want context as well as coverage.
For readers looking to follow the competition more broadly, the official AFL finals hub is the best place to track the ladder, results and remaining finals fixtures.[19] But for this programme specifically, the headline is simple: Shane McInnes and Tony Shaw are on 3AW Sports Today as the AFL preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions takes centre stage.[17][13]
Article generated: 19 September 2026, 05:02 GMT