2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final umpires panel, Referees, Match Day Officials revealed for Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions game

THE AFL is pleased to announce the umpiring panel for the 2026 Toyota AFL Grand Final between Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions.

Brett Rosebury will umpire his 10th AFL Grand Final alongside Hayden Meyer (third Grand Final), Brendan Hosking (second Grand Final) and Nick Foot (second Grand Final) as the four field umpires. Nathan Williamson has been named as the emergency field umpire.

The four field umpires have officiated a total of 1,418 AFL games between them, including 107 AFL finals and 13 AFL Grand Finals.

Boundary umpires Matt Tomkins (seventh Grand Final), Michael Barlow (fifth Grand Final) will return to the season decider, while Jordan Russell and Benjamin Fely will make their Grand Final debut. Michael Marantelli has been named as the emergency boundary umpire.

Goal umpires Dylan Benwell and Matthew Dervan will officiate their first and fifth AFL Grand Finals, respectively. Steven Piperno has been named as the emergency goal umpire...

Additional match day officials:

Match managers: Sophia Samartzis and Scott Taylor

Timekeepers: Andrew Miller and Christopher Howarth-Crewdson

Interchange Stewards: Adrian Barlow and Stephanie Aiello

Shot Clock Operator: Eloise Sexton

Umpire Trainers: James Vakis, Nicky Noble, Lauren Stewart

Ball Stewards: Tim Wood and Isabel Fraser

ARC Manager: Tim Neville

Score Review: David Parker, Ari Miller and Sean Meeking.

AFL Grand Final TV and Streaming Guide

Region	TV / Streaming Option	Start Time
Australia	Seven / 7plus	2:30pm AEST
International	WatchAFL	Local time varies
New Zealand	Check local broadcast listings / WatchAFL where applicable	4:30pm NZST

UK	WatchAFL	5:30am BST
USA	WatchAFL	Friday evening/night, depending on time zone

International broadcast arrangements can vary by territory, so overseas viewers should check WatchAFL and their local listings before match day. The AFL identifies WatchAFL as its official international streaming partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel is Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions on?

The 2026 AFL Grand Final will be broadcast live on the Seven Network in Australia. The AFL also lists 7plus as the digital streaming option.

Can I stream the AFL Grand Final online?

Yes. Australian viewers can stream the Grand Final through 7plus, while international viewers can use WatchAFL where available.

What time does the AFL Grand Final start?

The first bounce is scheduled for 2:30pm AEST on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Where is the AFL Grand Final being played?

The Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions Grand Final will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne, Victoria.

Can I watch the AFL Grand Final outside Australia?

Yes. WatchAFL, the AFL's official international streaming partner, provides live and on-demand AFL Premiership and Finals Series coverage overseas, including the Grand Final.

Is the AFL Grand Final on Kayo?

The AFL's current broadcast-rights information lists the Grand Final live on Seven and 7plus. Kayo carries extensive AFL coverage, but it is not listed as the live broadcaster for the Grand Final itself.

___