Fremantle and Brisbane will create history at the MCG this afternoon when they meet in the first AFL Grand Final between the two clubs. The Dockers are chasing their first premiership, while the Lions are aiming for a third consecutive flag.

The match is scheduled to start at 2:30pm AEST, with Seven and 7plus beginning their coverage from 2pm. Gates at the MCG open at 9:30am, and Yarra Park is closed to the public for the day.

For Fremantle, the stakes are simple: a maiden flag. The club has never won a premiership, and a win today would be the culmination of years of building. The Dockers have been one of the most consistent teams this season, but they face a Brisbane side that knows how to win on the last day.

Brisbane are chasing a three-peat. Having won the past two premierships, they are looking to join the small group of teams to win three in a row. The Lions have been the benchmark of the competition, and their experience in big finals will be a factor. But they will be wary of a Fremantle side that has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

What makes this clash even more notable is that the two clubs have never met in a final of any kind. All their previous encounters have been in the home-and-away season. That adds an extra layer of unpredictability to a game where both sides will be desperate to impose their style. The first final between these two teams will be the biggest of them all.

The buildup has been intense. Both clubs have had a week to prepare, with the Dockers arriving in Melbourne earlier in the week to acclimatise. The Lions have been based in Melbourne, training at their usual facilities. The focus for both sides has been on recovery and fine-tuning.

The pre-game entertainment will feature Kylie Minogue, who is set to perform for about 20 minutes from 1:30pm. There will be no halftime show, a decision the AFL has made for this year's Grand Final. The Wiggles parade will be held on Friday, adding to the build-up.

What's at stake

For Fremantle, a win would be the culmination of a long rebuild. The club has been building towards this moment, and a first flag would be celebrated across Western Australia. The Dockers have had their chances in recent years but have fallen short. This is their opportunity to make history.

For Brisbane, a victory would cement their legacy as one of the great modern dynasties. Three consecutive premierships is a rare achievement, and the Lions have the talent and experience to get it done.

The MCG is expected to be packed, with fans from both sides making the trip. The atmosphere will be electric, and the game itself could come down to the wire. Both teams have shown they can handle pressure, but only one will walk away with the cup.

As the morning unfolds, the focus will be on the final preparations. Players will go through their warm-ups, coaches will finalise their plans, and fans will fill the stands. By 2:30pm, the ball will be bounced, and history will be made.

The physical contest will be brutal. Grand Finals are often decided by the team that can withstand the pressure and execute under fatigue. Fremantle's midfield will need to match Brisbane's contested ball winners, while the Lions' defence will have to hold up against a Dockers forward line that has been potent all season.

The game will be won in the moments that matter. A crucial tackle, a clean clearance, a set shot from 40 metres. These are the plays that will be remembered. Both teams have players capable of delivering in the big moments, and the team that executes best under pressure will prevail.

The labour of the past six months comes down to this. Every pre-season session, every rehab stint, every tactical meeting — all of it leads to this afternoon. The players will leave nothing in the tank.

As the sun sets over the MCG, one team will lift the cup. Fremantle are chasing their first. Brisbane are chasing their third in a row. Only one will make history.