Gold Coast's Jed Walter has been crowned the 2026 AFL Grand Final sprint champion after gapping the field in some style at the big dance's main break.
Walter goes back to back in the event, having won the sprint last year, too.
One of the more charming events of the AFL calendar has lost its lustre in recent years, but with Olympic legend Cathy Freeman on starting-pistol duties, some of the gravitas was returned to the event.
Walter beat out a field consisting of Carlton's Ollie Florent, Hawk Jarman Impey, Kangaroo Luke Davies-Uniacke, Port Adelaide's Aliir Aliir, Tasmanian Devils VFL player Brandon Leary, reigning first-overall pick Willem Duursma and Bulldog, Arthur Jones.
Cathy Freeman fired the starting pistol for the grand final half time sprint!
Cathy, the legend! 😍
📸 - Channel 7
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Live blog: https://t.co/9d5OJhyMWs#AFLGF pic.twitter.com/aWfEmvjE2c— ABC SPORT (@abcsport) September 26, 2026
Walter became the first player to go back to back since the legendary Patrick Dangerfield achieved the feat in 2011 and 2012.
Walter signed a three-year contract extension earlier this year, tying him to the Glitter Strip till the conclusion of the 2029 season.
