Geelong-Hawthorn preliminary final draws Seven’s biggest AFL audience this year

The astronomical numbers are really down to great commentators and three simple words.

More than 3.14 million people tuned in to watch Geelong’s victory over Hawthorn on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport. Credit: Getty Images

When it comes to watching brilliant sport, fans should keep in mind three simple words: live and free.

That’s the Seven motto and it’s why more than 3.14 million people tuned in to watch Geelong’s victory over Hawthorn in Friday night’s blockbuster preliminary final on Seven, 7mate and 7plus Sport.

Last night’s game was the biggest AFL audience this season, with an average national total TV audience of 1.3 million, up 8 per cent on the first preliminary final of 2024.

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On 7plus Sport, more than 180,000 tuned in, which was the biggest 7plus audience this season.

The action was perfectly called by some of the best commentators in the business, and Seven’s head of sport innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, was thrilled.

“What a night of footy. Almost 100,000 passionate fans packed the MCG to see two great rivals battle it out on the hallowed turf, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric,” O’Keeffe said.

“Patrick Dangerfield wound back the clock with a monster performance, while Bailey Smith showed exactly why he’s a Brownlow favourite.

“With the crowd in full voice, the stadium sounded incredible – that’s finals footy at its very best.

“We’re proud to make every final accessible to all Australians, live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.