Live: Hawks and Lions face off for grand final spot to face Dockers

Hawthorn hosts dual reigning premiers Brisbane at the MCG in the preliminary final as both sides look to join Fremantle in next week's AFL grand final.The Hawks come in off a week's break having stunned the Dockers in Perth in their qualifying final, while the Lions come in after thrashing the Crows in last weekend's home semifinal.Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:35pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:35pmRecent history between Hawks and LionsHere's a look at the last five meetings between these two sides ahead of tonight's clash:R22, 2026: Brisbane 18.17 (125) def. Hawthorn 8.10 (58) @ GabbaR24, 2025: Brisbane 11.23 (89) def. Hawthorn 11.13 (79) @ GabbaR11, 2025: Brisbane 14.9 (93) def. Hawthorn 8.12 (60) @ MCGR11, 2024: Hawthorn 15.10 (100) def. Brisbane 10.15 (75) @ Docklands StadiumR13, 2023: Hawthorn 15.8 (98) def. Brisbane 11.7 (73) @ MCGSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:29pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:29pmHawthorn v Brisbane team news — No late changesHawthorn and Brisbane's team line-ups for the preliminary final. (AFL.com.au)Both Hawthorn and Brisbane are set to line up as originally selected this evening at the MCG.Neither team has made any changes to their most recent sides.Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:25pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:25pmA look back at Fremantle's slice of history from last nightWhat a comeback win it was from Fremantle last night, erasing a 28-point deficit to down Sydney.Here's ABC Sport's Tom Wildie on what it all means for the Dockers and the Swans.Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:20pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:20pmHow Gunston could be the key to Hawthorn's flag hopesHere's a deeper look at what Hawthorn's ageless wonder, Jack Gunston, brings to the table in their forward line.Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:15pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:15pmThe Hawks go through their warm-upsJack Gunston warms up ahead of the preliminary final against Brisbane. (Getty Images)Jack Gunston out there having an early kick at goal. He's played so many of these prelims throughout his 301-game career.Will he have an impact this evening against his old side?Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:10pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:10pmThe conditions are absolutely perfect for football todayThe MCG groundstaff are truly wizards because there is actually no way to tell that an NFL match was played here just over a week ago.What an incredible job to get the playing surface ready for this evening's clash!Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:04pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:04pmThe crowd is pouring into the MCG for this oneThey had over 100,000 here for the NFL last weekend, and my guess is that we'll go pretty close again this evening.They're already pouring in from all corners. It must be said that Brisbane also has a very strong Victorian following thanks to their Fitzroy roots.Fans line up to enter the MCG ahead of the Hawthorn-Brisbane clash. (Getty Images)Thousands of fans were lined up hours before the first bounce along the Yarra Park precinct. (Getty Images)Sat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:00pmSat 19 Sep 2026 at 4:00pmWelcome!Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport's live coverage of the AFL finals series.We've got another preliminary final on deck tonight as Hawthorn hosts Brisbane at the MCG as both sides look to join Fremantle in next week's grand final.The Hawks have enjoyed a week off after their upset win over the Dockers in the qualifying final, while the Lions come into this clash on the back of a monster win against the Crows last week.Can the Hawks make it into their first grand final since 2015 or will the Lions make it four straight trips to the big dance?The first bounce is set for 5:15pm, so strap yourselves in as we bring you all the news from the pre-match.