Brisbane Claim Third Straight Title in AFL 2026 Grand Final, Norm Smith Controversy Erupts
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- Brisbane Lions menutup musim AFL 2026 dengan kemenangan dramatis atas Fremantle Dockers, mengamankan gelar ketiga berturut-turut.
- Pemberian Norm Smith Medal kepada pemain tim yang kalah memicu perdebatan tentang kriteria pemilihan pemain terbaik di laga final.
- Dominasi Brisbane menegaskan era baru dalam kompetisi sepak bola Australia, sementara Fremantle harus menelan pil pahit setelah tampil solid sepanjang musim.
Brisbane Lions secured the 2026 AFL premiership after defeating Fremantle Dockers in a tightly contested grand final at Optus Stadium, Perth, on Saturday (26/9). The win marks three consecutive titles for Brisbane, a feat last achieved by Hawthorn in 2013-2015. Fremantle, playing as the home side, had to accept the bitter reality of losing in the decider for the second time in the club's history.
The match was fierce with a narrow scoring margin. Brisbane edged ahead through efficient execution in front of goal, while Fremantle dominated possession but failed to capitalize on chances. Statistics showed Fremantle recorded 13 clearances through Caleb Serong, approaching Brett Ratten's record (16 clearances) in 1999. However, the inability to score maximum points proved the difference.
Controversy arose over the awarding of the Norm Smith Medal to Brisbane player Bolton, who was deemed less prominent than Serong. Bolton recorded 26 disposals and two behinds, while Serong was considered more dominant. Several observers argued the panel's decision was inconsistent with the tradition of the award, which is usually given to the most influential player, even from the losing team.
"This shows how tight the match was, with no player truly standing out," said an AFL analyst during the live broadcast.
For Fremantle, the defeat extends their wait for a maiden title. The club from Western Australia has reached the grand final three times (2013, 2015, 2026) but always fallen short. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir expressed pride in the team's effort despite the result not matching expectations.
From an Indonesian perspective, Brisbane's success and the dynamics of the AFL can serve as a lesson for the development of national football. The Australian league is able to create a competitive and sustainable competition, with professional governance and consistent youth player development. This is relevant to PSSI and the government's efforts to raise the quality of Liga Indonesia toward international standards.
Going forward, Brisbane will face the challenge of maintaining their dominance amid increasingly tight competition. Meanwhile, Fremantle need a thorough evaluation to turn their status from challenger into champion. Will Brisbane make history with four straight titles, or will Fremantle finally break through? The AFL public awaits the answer next season.
