Game Information
Optus Stadium
Team Stats
-
Disposals
- NMFC 328
- 302 WCE
-
Kicks
- NMFC 201
- 173 WCE
-
Handballs
- NMFC 127
- 129 WCE
-
Free Kicks
- NMFC 31
- 24 WCE
-
Clearances
- NMFC 39
- 35 WCE
-
Inside 50
- NMFC 44
- 50 WCE
-
Tackles
- NMFC 72
- 46 WCE
-
Hit-Outs
- NMFC 44
- 33 WCE
Score Worm
Game Leaders
Goals
20
N. Larkey4 Goals
2
J. Waterman3 Goals
Disposals
3
H. Sheezel33 Disposals
11
T. Kelly27 Disposals
Contested Possessions
3
H. Sheezel15 Contested Possessions
11
T. Kelly12 Contested Possessions
Scoring Plays
| fourth Quarter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 27:04 |  | J. Waterman Behind | 74 - 73 |
| 24:34 | | J. Shanahan Goal | 74 - 72 |
| 22:33 | | J. Shanahan Behind | 74 - 66 |
| 16:35 |  | Rushed | 74 - 65 |
| 15:40 | | J. Shanahan Behind | 73 - 65 |
| 12:48 | | J. Waterman Goal | 73 - 64 |
| 10:24 | | J. Shanahan Goal | 73 - 58 |
| 8:13 | | J. Simpkin Behind | 73 - 52 |
| 6:28 | | Rushed | 72 - 52 |
| 5:21 | | C. Zurhaar Behind | 72 - 51 |
| 0:56 | | N. Larkey Goal | 71 - 51 |
| third Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 29:44 | | J. Shanahan Goal | 65 - 51 |
| 26:15 | | P. Curtis Behind | 65 - 45 |
| 24:35 | | N. Larkey Goal | 64 - 45 |
| 22:42 | | T. Cole Goal | 58 - 45 |
| 19:08 | | C. Daniel Behind | 58 - 39 |
| 11:01 | | T. Gross Behind | 57 - 39 |
| 9:06 | | J. Waterman Behind | 57 - 38 |
| 6:53 | | N. Larkey Goal | 57 - 37 |
| 5:05 | | H. Sheezel Goal | 51 - 37 |
| 3:31 | | C. Trembath Goal | 45 - 37 |
| 1:29 | | J. Darling Behind | 39 - 37 |
| second Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 29:26 | | J. Darling Goal | 38 - 37 |
| 23:58 | | J. Darling Goal | 32 - 37 |
| 21:14 | | G. Wardlaw Behind | 26 - 37 |
| 18:24 | | J. Darling Goal | 25 - 37 |
| 16:52 | | H. Sheezel Behind | 19 - 37 |
| 14:23 | | J. Waterman Behind | 18 - 37 |
| 12:15 | | J. Konstanty Behind | 18 - 36 |
| 10:45 | | Rushed | 17 - 36 |
| 9:26 | | Rushed | 17 - 35 |
| 5:30 | | J. Waterman Goal | 17 - 34 |
| 3:37 | | J. Waterman Goal | 17 - 28 |
| first Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 35:20 | | B. Hough Goal | 17 - 22 |
| 34:32 | | H. Reid Behind | 17 - 16 |
| 32:11 | | H. Reid Goal | 17 - 15 |
| 28:09 | | H. Sheezel Behind | 17 - 9 |
| 23:50 | | D. Stephens Behind | 16 - 9 |
| 20:09 | | L. Baker Goal | 15 - 9 |
| 17:27 | | N. Larkey Goal | 15 - 3 |
| 13:07 | | Bailey J. Williams Behind | 9 - 3 |
| 11:11 | | P. Curtis Behind | 9 - 2 |
| 7:36 | | N. Larkey Behind | 8 - 2 |
| 6:24 | | C. Spargo Behind | 7 - 2 |
| 3:33 | | J. Darling Goal | 6 - 2 |
| 1:29 | | T. Gross Behind | 0 - 2 |
| 1:00 | | H. Reid Behind | 0 - 1 |
AFL News
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Each AFL finalist's biggest September X factor
Footy finals are often decided in moments, so who are the 'moments men' for each AFL team featuring in September? Not many players are capable of being that man for their respective sides, but we think these guys could just be that difference.
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One in three? 6%? Don't bother?! Each finalist's chance of winning the 2026 premiership
Play out the finals series 100 times, and how many times does each finalist win the premiership? Rohan Connolly has done the maths to determine each club's chance of winning the 2026 flag.
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AFL Finals: Ins and outs, fixtures, games, tips, odds -- everything you need to know
Welcome to September! The finals continue with a qualifying final. between Fremantle and Hawthorn on Thursday night, before Geelong hosts Carlton in an elimination blockbuster at the MCG.
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Expert tips, best tips for AFL Finals Week 1
Who should you be tipping in the elimination and qualifying finals? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPNfootytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
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AFL overreactions: Will Pendlebury's legacy be tarnished with a move to the Suns?
The big news this week was that Scott Pendlebury would depart Collingwood and join Gold Coast on a playing-then-coaching deal. But will this move tarnish his legacy as a Collingwood and AFL legend? Let's get to this week's big talking point.
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Finals Demons: Melbourne's goalkicking struggles exposed
On the ESPN Footy Podcast, Champion Data's Christian Joly details Melbourne's horrific run in front of goal in finals.
2026 AFL Standings
| POS | Team | Pts. | % | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 FRE
|
76 | 137.2 | WWLWL |
| 2 |
 SYD
|
72 | 136.1 | WWWWW |
| 3 |
 BL
|
64 | 121.7 | WLWWW |
| 4 |
 HAW
|
64 | 120.1 | WWLDW |
| 5 |
 GEEL
|
60 | 122.3 | WWWWW |
| 6 |
 ADEL
|
60 | 117.3 | LWWLW |
| 7 |
 MELB
|
60 | 109.6 | LWWWL |
| 8 |
 WB
|
54 | 95.4 | WLLDW |
| 9 |
 COLL
|
52 | 102.4 | WLWDL |
| 10 |
 CARL
|
50 | 101.5 | WWWDW |
| 11 |
 STK
|
40 | 102.8 | WLLWL |
| 12 |
 GWS
|
40 | 98.9 | LWLWL |
| 13 |
 SUNS
|
36 | 94.5 | LLWLW |
| 14 |
 NMFC
|
36 | 88.8 | LLWLL |
| 15 |
 PORT
|
28 | 88.1 | LLLLW |
| 16 |
 WCE
|
16 | 69.2 | LLLLL |
| 17 |
 RICH
|
12 | 62.5 | LWLLL |
| 18 |
 ESS
|
8 | 64.6 | LLLLL |