Gold Coast's Jed Walter will have the chance to defend his speed-demon title in the 2026 AFL Grand Final half-time sprint.
Sydney 2000 Olympic 400m gold medallist Cathy Freeman will fire the starting pistol as eight of footy's fastest players race across the MCG's hallowed turf for the title of the fastest footballer.
Walter will go against Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles), Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne), Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs), Jarman Impey (Hawthorn), Ollie Florent (Carlton) and Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide).
Tasmanian Devil Brandon Leary, who is set to join the club via the golden ticket scheme, will make up the eighth runner.
The seven AFL players were selected using Telstra Tracker data and will contest the traditional 100 metre dash to claim the coveted crown.
Jack Heverin will make his debut calling the Telstra Half-Time Sprint live on Seven, 7plus and Triple M.
In honour of this year's sprint winner, Telstra will make a $5,000 donation to the winner's junior football club as part of its commitment to grassroots football.
2026 Grand Final Half-Time Sprint participants:
- Ollie Florent (Carlton)
- Jed Walter (Gold Coast SUNS)
- Jarman Impey (Hawthorn)
- Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)
- Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide)
- Brandon Leary (Tasmania Devils)
- Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles)
- Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs)
Past winners
2002 - Jared Crouch (Syd)
2003 - James Walker (Frem)
2004 - James Walker (Frem)
2005 - Brett Deledio (Rich)
2006 - Brendan Fevola (Carl)
2007 - Jake King (Rich)
2008 - Matthew White (Rich)
2009 - Rhys Stanley (StK)
2010 - Luke Miles (StK)
2011 - Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
2012 - Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
2013 - Patrick Dangerfield (Adel)
2014 - Jordan Murdoch (Geel)
2015 - Majak Daw (NM)
2016 - James Shirley (Murrumbeena Lions)
2017 - Connor Menadue (Rich)
2018 - Godfrey Okereneyang (Coolamon Grasshoppers)
2019 - Ben King (GC)
2020 - Jordan Clark (Geel)
2021 - Josh Rotham (WC)
2022 - Hugo Ralphsmith (Rich)
2023 - Max Holmes (Geel)
2024 - Beau McCreery (Coll)
