Sport
18 September, 2026
Game on – AFL grand finals
IT‘S an absolutely huge weekend in the Far North, as the Hawks women annual trip to their Northern Nest coincides with grand final weekend, as they entertain reigning premiers North in the Friday night curtain raiser.
Women’s – Bulldogs versus Tigers
AFTER that, all eyes will turn to the grand finals on Saturday, bouncing off with the women’s big dance at 12.45pm, which sees a rematch of last year’s grand final between the Dogs and the Tigers.
Even though the chance to watch top level footy live only happens once a year in Cairns, the Dogs players might be better served getting together to watch Mission Impossible, such is the task facing them on Saturday.
The Tigers have not lost since 26 July last year, are in the midst of 23-game winning streak and have not yet conceded 200 points in the entire season.
Revenge can be a powerful motivator though and the Dogs were arguably favourite in both finals they lost to the Tigers last year.
Another source of inspiration for the Dogs will be knowing that, while the Tigers have not lost since 26 July last year, the Dogs were the team to beat them that day.
It should be a ripper.
Men’s – Cutters versus Crocs
THE day concludes with the top two teams in the men’s competition this year facing off, as the Crocs and the Cutters run back their round 19 and preliminary final thrillers.
In the second preliminary final, the Crocs were able to cast aside growing doubts over their final’s pedigree with a hard fought, but ultimately comfortable win over the Dogs, their first finals win since 2023.
The entirety of their last two seasons has led to this game, and they will be aiming for a second flag in four years, one they will rightfully feel is well and truly deserved.
Inaccuracy has been something they have struggled with in finals in recent years, so they will be hoping for a straight-shooting output from their big time goalkickers.
They will not have an easy go of it against the 2024 premiers, as the Cutters have won both aforementioned thrillers and come into Saturday’s clash fresh after the week off.
The feeling at Fretwell will be that they have found a style of play to curtail the best the Crocs have to offer, while still being able to express themselves.
Before round 19, the idea of beating the all-conquering Crocs three times in a row to win the flag would have been a tough proposition, but the Cutters will surely be thinking what’s one more win now.
This game is a good old-fashioned coin flip for me and a fitting way to end season 2026 in paradise.
