Grand Final rematch headlines AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round on Seven and 7plus – 2026 acknowledges the theme: Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories.
The AFL’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round is set to light up screens over the next two weeks, headlined by a primetime Grand Final rematch between the Brisbane Lions and the Geelong Cats, before the marquee Dreamtime match between Richmond and Essendon, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.
From 2026, Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be underpinned by an enduring theme that consistently carries across years: ‘Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories.’
The theme provides an opportunity for the AFL, clubs and players to showcase defining moments, people, and stories that celebrate the sporting legacy of First Nations people within the game and beyond, and that the game is stronger when First Nations players are at the heart of it.
Kicking off with a fiery top six clash on Thursday Night Footy, the Brisbane Lions will host the Geelong Cats from the Gabba as the two teams face off for the first time in season 2026.
Seven’s team will broadcast live from the ground at 7.00pm AEST, with full coverage of the pre-match cultural ceremony and the match airing live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Seven’s broadcast of the Thursday night match will feature an interview at half time with the 2026 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree, Michael McLean. Often referred to as “Magic” for his brilliance on the field, McLean played 183 games across his career with Footscray and Brisbane, finishing his career as a two-time Club Champion at the Brisbane Bears.
McLean, a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and the Brisbane Lions Hall of Fame, played a pivotal role in advancing anti-racism in the AFL, and was among the leading voices in the 1990s to advocate for the Peek Rule.
On Friday night, football’s #1 commentary team heads to the SCG as the Sydney Swans take on Collingwood in the annual Marn Grook game, live and free from 7.00pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Wrapping up Seven’s match coverage of the opening week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, St Kilda faces Richmond on Sunday afternoon, live from Marvel Stadium at 2.30pm AEST on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Ahead of the second week of on field action, The Agenda Setters will be back on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night, to dissect all the biggest talking points and breaking news of the AFL.
On Wednesday night, fan favourite The Front Bar will return at 8.30pm on Seven and 7plus, where hosts Andy Maher, Mick Molloy and Sam Pang will be joined by superstar brothers, former St Kilda and Brisbane player, Gilbert McAdam and North Melbourne forward, Adrian McAdam.
Following The Front Bar, Seven’s Hamish McLachlan sits down with St Kilda star and
former Premiership Hawk, Bradley Hill, for this week’s episode of Unfiltered from 9.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport.
In a rare, candid interview, Hill opens up about his relationship with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon and his impact on the playing group, while reflecting on his career in his 15th AFL season.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round continues next week, as Hawthorn and the Adelaide Crows open the Round 11 fixture in Tasmania from 7.00pm Thursday, 21 May live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Then, on Friday, 22 May, viewers will be treated to one of the greatest spectacles on the AFL calendar, the Dreamtime at the‘Gmatch from 7.00pm AEST live and free on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.
Seven’s Dreamtime team will include 7AFL Expert Commentator and proud Kaurna Ngarrindjeri man Chad Wingard alongside Abbey Holmes, James Brayshaw, Alister Nicholson, Dale Thomas, Matthew Richardson and Xander McGuire.
7AFL Expert, Chad Wingard said:
“It’s extremely special to be part of Seven’s Dreamtime at the‘Gcoverage during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. This round means so much to Indigenous players, families and communities and to be able to celebrate the contribution Indigenous people have made to our great game on such a big stage is amazing,” he said.
“Dreamtime at the‘Gis one of the most powerful nights on the AFL calendar, the atmosphere and the meaning behind the round are so important. It’s one of those games you look at and wish you had played on that stage at some point in my career, so I’m pumped to once again be part of Seven’s broadcast this year.”
Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe said:
“Sir Doug Nicholls Round firmly holds its place as one of the most important celebrations in Australian sport, and we are honoured to deliver an incredible two rounds to Australian audiences, live and free.
“At Seven, we are proud to lean into the rich culture, history and contribution of Indigenous Australians across our coverage,”
– he said.
“Through exclusive storytelling in our magazine programming and match broadcasts, we have the privilege of sharing the stories of some of our game’s greatest current and former Indigenous players with audiences across the country. It’s our responsibility to help tell these stories, celebrate their impact on our game and communities, and we can’t wait to share them with all Australians over an action-packed two rounds.”
Six AFL clubs have swapped their club’s name for traditional in-language names across Sir Doug Nicholls Round, including:
● Melbourne: Narrm (pronounced na-arm)
● Fremantle: Walyalup (pronounced wul-yul-up)
● Port Adelaide: Yartapuulti (pronounced Yarta–pole-tee)● St Kilda: Euro-Yroke (pronounced yoo-roe yoo-roe-ck)
● Adelaide: Kuwarna (pronounced goo-wun-na)
● West Coast Eagles: Waalitj Marawar (pronounced wah-litch mara-wah)
AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round Brisbane Lions v Geelong
Live from 7.00pm AEST, Thursday on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport
Broadcast times on Seven:
TUESDAY, 12 MAY
The Agenda Setters
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
9.40pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney and Brisbane 10.40pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY
The Agenda Setters
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
10.00pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney and Brisbane 10.00pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
The Front Bar:
National 8.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
Unfiltered: Bradley Hill
National 9.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
THURSDAY, 14 MAY
AFL Round 10: Brisbane Lions v Geelong
Sydney 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Brisbane 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, 7.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 6.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 5.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
FRIDAY, 15 MAY
AFL Round 10: Sydney Swans v Collingwood
Sydney 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, 7.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 5.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 10: Gold Coast SUNS v Yartapuulti
Brisbane 8.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 7.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
SATURDAY, 16 MAY
VFL Round 8: Tasmania v Southport Sharks
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 11.05am live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 10.35am live on 7plus Sport
Perth 9.05am live on 7plus Sport
AFL Round 10: Kuwarna v North Melbourne
Adelaide 2.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
VFLW Round 1: Tasmania v Casey Demons
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 2.35pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 1.55pm live on 7plus Sport
Perth 12.35pm live on 7plus Sport
State Game: Western Australia v South Australia
Adelaide 4.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth 3.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
SUNDAY, 17 MAY
Sunday Footy Feast
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 10.00am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 10: Essendon v Walyalup
Perth 11.00am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 10: Euro-Yroke v Richmond
Sydney and Brisbane 2.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 2.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 2.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 10: Waalitj Marawar v GWS Giants
Sydney 6.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Perth 4.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport, 6.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Monday, 18 MAY
The Agenda Setters
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport,
10.00pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney 11.00pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
Brisbane 12.00am on Seven and 7plus Sport
TUESDAY, 19 MAY
The Agenda Setters
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport,
11.00pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney, Brisbane 11.00pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY
The Agenda Setters
Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport,
10.00pm encore on Seven and 7plus Sport
Sydney and Brisbane 10.00pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
The Front Bar
National 8.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
Unfiltered
National 9.30pm on Seven and 7plus Sport
THURSDAY, 21 MAY
AFL Round 11: Hawthorn v Kuwarna
Sydney 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Brisbane 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 6.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 5.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
FRIDAY, 22 MAY
AFL Round 11: Dreamtime at The‘GPre-game
Sydney and Brisbane 7.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 6.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Dreamtime at The‘G:Essendon v Richmond
Sydney and Brisbane 7.30pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
Melbourne 7.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Fremantle v St Kilda
Perth 6.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport, 6.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
SATURDAY, 23 MAY
SANFL Round Seven: North Adelaide v Norwood
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 2.30pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 2.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport Perth 12.30pm live on 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: North Melbourne v Gold Coast SUNS
Brisbane 1.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans
Sydney 4.00pm live on 7mate and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Collingwood v West Coast
Perth 2.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Yartapuulti v Carlton
Adelaide 7.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
WAFL Round Seven: East Fremantle v West Coast
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 1.10pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 12.40pm live on 7plus Sport Perth 3.10pm live on 7plus Sport
WAFL Round Seven: Peel Thunder v South Fremantle
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 1.10pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 12.40pm live on 7plus Sport Perth 3.10pm live on 7plus Sport
WAFL Round Seven: Perth v West Perth
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 2.10pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 1.50pm live on 7plus Sport
Perth 4.10pm live on 7plus Sport
WAFL Round Seven: Swan Districts v Subiaco
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 2.30pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 2.00pm live on 7plus Sport
Perth 4.30pm live on 7plus Sport
WAFL Round Seven: Claremont v East Perth
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 2.30pm live on 7plus Sport
Adelaide 2.00pm live on 7plus Sport
Perth 4.30pm live on 7plus Sport
SUNDAY, 24 MAY
Sunday Footy Feast
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane 12.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 11.30am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 10.00am live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: GWS GIANTS v Brisbane Lions
Sydney and Brisbane 12.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
AFL Round 11: Western Bulldogs v Narrm
Melbourne 3.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Adelaide 2.30pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Perth 1.00pm live on Seven and 7plus Sport
Get involved:
Media Release – Seven
Link to 7plus HERE
TV Central AFL content HERE
Grand Final rematch headlines AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round on Seven and 7plus
