Matty Stewart and Aussie Rules Legend Spida Everitt are back for another year to talk all things AFL! Get all the news happening around the league, plus expert tips for every match. Tune In weekly to ‘In The Pocket’ to get all your AFL insights.
Matty and Spida are back for Preliminary Final week on In The Pocket, and after three weeks of finals football, just four clubs remain in the hunt for the 2026 AFL Premiership. Sydney and Hawthorn earned the week off after qualifying final victories, while Fremantle and Brisbane survived difficult semi-finals to keep their premiership dreams alive. Now, with a Grand Final berth on the line, the stakes have never been higher.
The boys start by looking back at the semi-finals, where Fremantle responded to its qualifying final disappointment by knocking off Geelong in Perth, while Brisbane produced a dominant performance at the Gabba to end Adelaide’s season. Both clubs get a second chance to chase premiership glory, but now face their toughest assignments of the year.
Attention then turns to Friday night’s blockbuster at the SCG, where Sydney hosts Fremantle for a place in the Grand Final. The Swans were outstanding in their qualifying final demolition of Brisbane and have enjoyed a week to freshen up, while the Dockers arrive battle-hardened after surviving a dangerous Geelong outfit. The boys discuss whether Sydney’s explosive attack can be contained and whether Fremantle can finally make good on the promise that delivered the minor premiership.
The second preliminary final sees Hawthorn take on reigning powerhouse Brisbane at the MCG. Hawthorn stunned the football world with its qualifying final upset of Fremantle and now sits one win away from a Grand Final appearance. Brisbane, meanwhile, continues its remarkable run of deep September campaigns and enters another preliminary final determined to keep its premiership defence alive.
To wrap things up, Matty and Spida lock in their preliminary final tips and reveal which two teams they believe will be running out at the MCG for the 2026 AFL Grand Final. If you’re after all the biggest AFL talking points, finals analysis, Grand Final predictions and strong opinions, In The Pocket has everything you need heading into preliminary final weekend.