Times have changed. Once upon a time, when the top two teams on the AFL ladder clashed late in the season, the lead-up would be forensic, the hype all-consuming, the phrase 'grand final dress rehearsal' inescapable. Not anymore. Certainly not in the case of Thursday night's game in Perth between Fremantle and Sydney, despite plenty to recommend both these teams in 2026.
Ladder Leaders Face Off
In ladder terms, they've been a cut above the rest. Fremantle lost only its second game all season last week against Greater Western Sydney, while the Swans put the Western Bulldogs to the sword at home. There's a two-and-a-half game gap between the second-placed Swans and third-placed Hawthorn. Adding to the spice, it's been exactly a year since these two teams played each other, the various quirks of fixturing meaning the Dockers and Swans haven't met since Round 18 last season. Even so, there's not nearly the same sense of anticipation around Thursday night as when clear top teams of the past have locked horns.
Why the Lack of Buzz?
Partly, says the cynic in me, that's because we seem to spend most of our time these days speculating about where Player A or B may be next season or who'll be coaching a team entering the competition in two years' time rather than talking about what's actually going on now. But it's also because there remains a degree of scepticism around Freo and the Swans, for different reasons. In the Dockers' case, it's all about lack of exposure to the pointy end of the season relative to their likely finals rivals, the super-experienced likes of Brisbane, Geelong, Collingwood or Hawthorn. The Sydney doubts are more of the 'feels' variety, namely that this club has established an unwanted reputation of falling over on the biggest of stages, losing their last four grand final appearances.
Relevance of Past Failures
Relevance to 2026, though? Close to zero, really, given there's only five players on the entire Sydney list who played in either of the first two of those losses in 2014 and 2016. And the Swans of 2022 were still a very raw combination, ceding hot favourite Geelong an incredible amount of experience. The Swans this year are the fourth-most experienced group in the competition. And Freo, whilst still in the younger half of teams, aren't exactly greenhorns anymore.
Fremantle's Rise Under Longmuir
The Dockers' rise under coach Justin Longmuir has actually been a long time in the making. What has always been a sturdy defensive unit has been complemented by a far more multi-pronged midfield and, even more significantly, a potent attack. Fremantle currently ranked fourth for points scored, something which would have been almost unthinkable only a couple of years ago.
Key Battle: Midfield
So what should we be looking out for when the Dockers take on the Swans this time? The midfield battle shapes as the obvious starting point. Fremantle's engine room, led by Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong, has been among the competition's best all season, and with Luke Jackson effectively becoming an extra midfielder once the ball hits the ground, the Dockers are difficult to contain when they control stoppages. If they win clearance and territory, Jordan Clark and their running defenders become enormously influential, while the supply to Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss, Patrick Voss and Shai Bolton makes Fremantle's increasingly potent forward line even harder to stop.
Sydney's Response
Sydney's challenge is to deny the Dockers that control, and it certainly has the personnel to do it. Isaac Heeney is back playing football which reminds everyone why he's among the competition's elite midfielders, while Brodie Grundy's outstanding season gives the Swans every chance of at least breaking even at stoppages despite Luke Jackson's enormous influence. They'll also want to move the ball quickly enough to prevent Fremantle setting up the defensive structure which has become the hallmark of Longmuir's side. Against one of the AFL's stingiest defences, clean entries and efficient finishing will be essential.
Impact of Fremantle's Recent Loss
For Fremantle, meanwhile, last week's defeat to the Giants adds another layer of intrigue. The old 'loss that you had to have' theory doesn't seem to carry quite as much weight these days, but perhaps last week's defeat was exactly the circuit-breaker Fremantle needed after 14 straight wins, a reminder that nothing comes easily at this time of year. Whether the loss was merely an off night or a sign of vulnerability suddenly becomes one of Thursday night's most compelling questions.
Premiership Race Wide Open
There's still plenty of water to go under the bridge and, given the way seasoned contenders like Brisbane and Geelong have weathered setbacks this season, the premiership race remains anything but settled. But on the evidence of 2026 alone, Fremantle and Sydney have been the competition's benchmark sides. Which is why it's a shame this game doesn't feel bigger. Once upon a time, when the AFL's two best teams met at this stage of the season, it felt like the football world stopped to watch. Thursday night's contest deserves exactly that sort of attention.
