Sydney Swans have beaten Fremantle by a single point in a dramatic AFLW regular-season finale at Cockburn on Sunday, surviving Wharfie Time, a stretcher incident and a last-gasp Dockers surge to confirm a home elimination final against the Western Bulldogs. The final score was 5.7 (37) to 5.6 (36), with the result also locking in an all-Victorian top four for the AFLW finals.
Wharfie Time fires up the crowd but fails the Dockers
With less than 90 seconds remaining and Fremantle trailing by just one point after Hayley Miller snapped a goal, Wharfie Time was sounded inside the ground. The crowd activation, borrowed from the Dockers' AFL side, had already gained notoriety after it backfired during the men's grand final loss to Brisbane. History repeated itself in the women's competition: Fremantle could not add another score.
The moment that sealed the game came with just 15 seconds on the clock, when Swans forward Chloe Molloy took a game-saving mark to deny any last Fremantle attack. The loss denied retiring Dockers star Ash Brazill a farewell victory in what is understood to have been her final regular-season game.
"It's a good catapult into the finals, close wins like that," Molloy said after the match. "It always brings out a bit extra energy, especially when you hear Wharfie Time."
Molloy breaks AFLW goalkicking record
Molloy's four goals in the win pushed her season tally to 28, breaking the AFLW goalkicking record and surpassing the previous mark of 26 set jointly by Hawthorn's Aine McDonagh and Geelong forward Jackie Perry. The Swans also set a club record with nine wins for the season.
Earlier in the first quarter, play was halted for ten minutes when Sydney ruck Caitlin Reid was stretchered from the field after a clash of heads with Fremantle's Miller. Reid was taken from the ground as a precaution, casting a shadow over an otherwise remarkable team performance.
Melbourne tune up, Demons sweat on Hore's shoulder
Melbourne rounded out their regular season in strong form, defeating Adelaide by 18 points at a wet Unley Oval to finish 10 wins and two losses. The Demons prevailed 6.11 (47) to 3.11 (29), claiming a third consecutive victory heading into the finals.
However, Melbourne may be forced to sweat on the fitness of star midfielder Kate Hore, who was seen holding her shoulder after being bumped by Adelaide's Jemmika Douglas in the dying stages. Demons teammate Tyla Hanks sought to ease concerns, describing the four-time All-Australian as "pretty tough" and expressing confidence she will be available for next week's qualifying final against Geelong.
All-Victorian top four and the finals draw
With all regular-season matches concluded, the AFLW finals will feature an all-Victorian top four. The qualifying-final double header takes place next Saturday at Ikon Park:
- Geelong Cats v Melbourne, Saturday 7 November, 1.05pm AEDT
- North Melbourne v Carlton, Saturday 7 November, 4.05pm AEDT
The elimination finals follow on Sunday:
- Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs, Sunday 8 November, Henson Park, 1.05pm AEDT
- Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn, Sunday 8 November, People First Stadium, 3.05pm AEDT
The Swans are expecting a packed crowd at Henson Park for their home elimination final against the Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Collingwood finished a difficult 2026 season with just one win, with departing coach Sam Wright conceding he had "no energy left" and had "run out of suggestions". An independent review of the Pies' women's program is understood to be looming as the club looks to rebuild.
