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3AW Footy Preview is set to air on 3AW (Melbourne) and FiveAA (Adelaide) at a time when AFL attention is firmly on the 2026 preliminary finals, with Hawthorn hosting Brisbane Lions at the MCG in the first decider of the weekend. The match is scheduled for 5:15pm AEST on Saturday 19 September, which makes this preview programme a useful lead-in for listeners in Australia and abroad following the build-up to the finals.[12][13]
The programme is being presented by Bruce Eva, with Leigh Matthews and Caroline Wilson listed as pundits. Matthews is one of the most decorated figures in Australian football history, widely recognised for his legendary playing career and later success as a premiership coach, while Wilson is one of the most prominent football journalists in the country and a long-standing AFL commentator and analyst. Their presence gives the preview a strong blend of elite football insight and media analysis, which is exactly what finals coverage demands.
For British and global readers trying to follow the AFL from overseas, the key point is that this is a radio preview programme, not a television broadcast. The AFL’s finals schedule confirms that the weekend’s preliminary finals are split between Hawthorn v Brisbane at the MCG and Sydney Swans v Fremantle, and the broader fixtures lists and match centres show the competition moving into its decisive phase.[1][7][11][20] If you are tracking the race to the Grand Final, this is one of the most important build-up shows of the week.
Bruce Eva has built a reputation in Australian sports broadcasting as a familiar and reliable football voice, particularly around AFL and local radio coverage. His role on 3AW Footy Preview fits the station’s long-standing identity as a major Melbourne football broadcaster, while FiveAA provides a strong South Australian audience link for Adelaide listeners following the finals narrative. That cross-city reach makes the programme relevant well beyond the two local markets mentioned in the schedule.
Leigh Matthews remains one of the most respected football minds in the game. His standing comes from decades at the highest level, first as an iconic player and then as a coach whose tactical authority still carries weight in AFL discussion. On a finals eve or finals-day preview, Matthews is the kind of pundit listeners expect to hear on selection, pressure, structure and game-day mentality.
Caroline Wilson brings a different but equally valuable perspective. She is known for hard-edged reporting, breaking news and sharp opinion, and she has been one of the most influential voices in AFL media for many years. In a finals setting, Wilson often adds context on club politics, off-field pressure and the wider league story, which complements Matthews’ football-first analysis.
The timing also matters for overseas audiences. The preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane is listed for 7:15 UTC on 19 September, which aligns with the Saturday evening slot in Australia and the morning window in the UK. That means listeners in Britain will be able to follow the build-up via radio or online audio while the Australian audience hears the preview in real time.[5][7][12]
If you are looking for the live match itself, AFL coverage in Australia for finals weekend is typically handled across major broadcast partners, while this specific programme is a radio-led preview show rather than a television rights event. For more on the league and its finals structure, the AFL’s official site remains the central reference point for schedules, results and match information.[9][16] More about the competition can be found on the official AFL website: AFL.com.au.
In practical terms, 3AW Footy Preview gives fans a concise way to hear experienced AFL voices dissect the biggest talking points before the action begins. With Bruce Eva guiding the discussion and Leigh Matthews and Caroline Wilson supplying expert analysis, it is tailored for anyone wanting informed, no-nonsense coverage of one of the season’s defining weekends.[12][13]
Article generated: 19 September 2026, 03:04 GMT