Cathy Freeman to start 2026 AFL Grand Final Half-Time Sprint

Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman will fire the starting pistol for the 2026 Telstra AFL Grand Final Half-Time Sprint at the MCG.

The competition features a field of eight runners, including defending champion Jed Walter from the Gold Coast. The participating athletes represent various clubs: Ollie Florent (Carlton), Jarman Impey (Hawthorn), Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne), Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide), Brandon Leary (Tasmania Devils), Willem Duursma (West Coast), and Arthur Jones (Western Bulldogs).

Brandon Leary will represent Tasmania ahead of the Devils' scheduled entry into the AFL in 2028. As part of the event, Telstra will donate $5,000 to the winner’s junior football club.