Buddy's HARSH Verdict On Prelim Final Umpiring Call | AFL Prelim Final Review

That's a wrap on 2026! In the final show of the season, Buddy and Shane relive an all-time classic grand final as Brisbane complete a historic three-peat, storming home from the brink against a brave Fremantle. They dissect Will Ashcroft's last-quarter surge, Josh Treacy's costly miss and the Pearce injury, debate a contentious Norm Smith Medal, and dig into Lachie Neale's move to Collingwood and Chris Fagan's future. Then it's Buddy's Big Call for 2027, trade-period whispers, North Melbourne's coaching hunt, and a heartfelt goodbye, with the boys unsure whether they'll be back for a trade or Christmas special.

Grand final week has arrived! Fresh off Brownlow night (huge congrats to Nick Daicos), Buddy and Shane dive straight into Fremantle vs Brisbane. Can the Dockers turn their minor premiership into a fairytale first flag, or does Brisbane's finals experience carry them to a historic three-peat? The boys break down the key head-to-head battles — Luke Jackson's ruck dominance, Brisbane's dangerous small forwards, and whether Fremantle's bottom six can lift on the big stage. There's a Norm Smith tip (it's Ashcroft, obviously), full score predictions, a Kylie Minogue half-time preview, and Buddy's Big Call. One thing's for sure: Melbourne's about to host an absolute cracker.

Prelim finals week is here. Friday night at the SCG, Sydney host Fremantle in a rematch of that stunning Round 8 hundred-point turnaround, with the Grundy vs. Luke Jackson ruck battle looming large — Bud backs the Swans, Shane's leaning Dockers. Saturday at the MCG, underdogs Hawthorn face premiership favourites Brisbane, and both hosts cautiously tip a Hawks upset. Bud's Big Call goes all-in on a Hawthorn forward to be the difference, and the boys start plotting a joint pub crawl special if the Hawks and Sydney both somehow reach the Grand Final.

Huge Semi Finals weekend! Brisbane obliterated Adelaide by 53 points, riding an explosive first quarter all the way into a Preliminary Final. Buddy and Shane break down Zak Bailey's heroics, Adelaide's glaring need for an X-factor midfielder, and pay tribute to retiring Crows great Taylor Walker. Then it's over to a classic — Fremantle survive a Geelong scare to book their first prelim since 2015, with Luke Jackson the driving force. Plus: the Better Beer Big Moment lands on Zak Butters' blockbuster move to the Bulldogs, Errol Gulden claims Kia Player of the Month, and the boys lock in their bold (and contradictory) predictions for the Grand Final.

Semi Finals week is here, and Buddy and Shane break down both blockbusters! Friday night at Optus Stadium, ladder-leading Fremantle host Geelong after a shock Qualifying Final loss to Hawthorn — can the Dockers respond, or does Cat experience prevail? The boys clash hard: Shane backs a fired-up Fremantle, while Bud locks in Geelong to storm home in the last quarter. Then it's the Gabba on Saturday night for Brisbane vs Adelaide, with Shane tipping an Adelaide upset off the back of Brisbane's error-riddled loss to Sydney, while Bud stays loyal to the Lions' class and experience. Grand Final permutations, Lachie Neale's tagging troubles, and a very ambitious fun run bet round out a big preview episode. Who's right? Only finals footy will tell.