The annual AFL Grand Final sprint took place at half-time of the match between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG, on September 27. The event had a new sponsor in Telstra and a new format. The 2025 edition was a one-off dash between just eight runners, rather than the traditional heats featuring a player from every club.

The winner was Gold Coast’s Jed Walter, a big forward who made a strong start and led at halfway to hold off reigning champion Beau McCreery of Collingwood, with Richmond’s Maurice Rioli jnr third. Teen sprint sensation, Gout Gout fired the starter’s gun, and the race was called by broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney.

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History

An AFL player's sprint race has been held since 1979, traditionally at half-time of the AFL Grand Final. There has also been a kicking competition. Since 2021, there has also been a women's sprint held during the AFLW grand final.

2025 Telstra Grand Final Sprint Results

In a change from previous years, there were no qualifying heats in 2025. Instead, eight invited runners lined up for a single straight-line dash, with Telstra donating $5,000 to the winner's junior football club.

Podium

  1. Jed Walter (Gold Coast)
  2. Beau McCreery (Collingwood)
  3. Maurice Rioli jnr (Richmond)

The other runners making up the eight-man field were:

  • Nick Blakey (Sydney)
  • Jack Higgins (St Kilda)
  • Toby Greene (GWS)
  • Murphy Reid (Fremantle)
  • Harry Garside (Olympic boxing bronze medallist, guest runner)