Port Melbourne, Essendon, Carlton and Williamstown each clinched a finals berth in the final round of the season, Coburg and GWS Giants were left to ponder what might have been, while Tasmania secured a top-four spot in its inaugural season.

BRISBANE LIONS                  5.2        12.6     18.10   26.17 (173)
GOLD COAST SUNS               5.2        9.2        10.4     11.4 (70)

Brisbane ended the 2026 Smithy’s VFL campaign on a resounding high, dominating their rivals Gold Coast with a 103-point victory at Brighton Homes Arena. In a high scoring affair, both sides kicked five majors apiece in the first quarter to stay all tied up at quarter time before the Lions upped the ante with a seven-goal second term, six of them coming in two rapid three-goal blocks to open and close the quarter. With a lead of 22 points at half time, the onslaught continued with a six-goal to one third term before ensuring they would reach their highest score of the season with a massive eight-goal final quarter. Despite a six-win campaign, the Lions claimed victories in three of their last four games, scoring 130 total points or greater in each of those triumphs. Will McLaughlan ended his season with 35 majors from 11 games after kicking another four goals for his side on the weekend, with Tahj Abberley and Curtis McCarthy each booting three majors. James Tunstill had a monster performance and packed the stat sheet with 32 disposals, nine tackles, nine inside 50s, nine clearances and two goals with Bruce Reville (32 disposals, seven inside 50s) also impressing. The Suns, who will end the season on the bottom of the ladder for the first time, were led by Ben Jepson’s 36 touches, whilst Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kicked four goals.

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Shadeau Brain, Will McLachlan, Sam Tilley, James Tunstill, Luke Lloyd, Tahj Abberley
Gold Coast Suns: Not selected
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COBURG                       5.2        10.3     11.5     14.8 (92)
SOUTHPORT                4.1        8.4        11.6     15.8 (98)

Coburg would fall short by six points in their clash with Southport at Barry Plant Park, ultimately missing on a spot in the top 10 in 2026 by just 0.4%. After plenty of goals in the opening quarter, the Lions took a narrow seven-point advantage into quarter time before a strong start to the second term saw them reach what would be a game-high 20-point margin at the seven-minute mark. Although the Sharks would respond with three goals in 10 minutes to regain the lead, the hosts would still lead by 11 points at half time thanks to some crucial last-minute goals. Southport would work their way back into the game to start the second half, and by keeping their opponents to just one major, they would hit the front and take a one-point advantage into the final break. Despite the heroics of Jaidyn Stephenson, who booted three last quarter goals for Coburg, and a spirited fightback by the hosts late in the piece, the Sharks would kick four majors for the quarter and hold on for a six-point win to end their season on a high. Max Spencer was dominant for the away side with 35 disposals and 11 intercepts, meanwhile Jacob Dawson had 13 clearances from his 26 touches. Stephenson would finish with eight majors for the game, a season-high, and end the year with 49 goals in what was a terrific debut season.

BEST
Coburg: Jaidyn Stephenson, Seb Murphy, Max Kennedy, Cooper Keogh, Hugo Bromell, Jesse Corigliano
Southport: Jacob Dawson, Max Spencer, Zac Foot, Brayden Crossley, Finn Hay, Matt McGuinness
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WILLIAMSTOWN       4.1        7.5        11.8     16.14 (110)
FRANKSTON                2.3        7.6        8.7        10.8 (68)

Williamstown locked themselves into a wildcard final after a huge 42-point win over Frankston at DSV Stadium. The Seagulls, who needed to win to ensure a spot in the top 10, started the match brightly, kicking four goals to two in the opening quarter, before the Dolphins, who were also playing for a wildcard finish, booted five second quarter majors to lead by a solitary point at half time. After trailing by eight points early in the third term, the Seagulls would make their move, booting four majors in just eight minutes to close the quarter with a 19-point lead at three quarter time. They would then put the game beyond doubt as the final term progressed, kicking five goals to book their place in the finals. Angus Seivers produced a season-high five majors whilst for the third straight week, Jake Greiser amassed 30+ disposals, finishing with 34 touches and eight rebound 50s. Despite the defeat for Frankston, their two fourth term majors proved critical from a percentage point of view, as it proved to be the difference between them finishing 10th and missing the finals altogether. Tyson Milne led the way with 27 disposals, 13 rebounds 50s and a goal.

BEST
Williamstown: Not selected
Frankston: Jackson Voss, Max Williames, Tyson Milne, Darby Hipwell, Seb Quirk, Oscar Lewis
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ESSENDON                 4.2        7.8       11.12   18.17 (125)
SYDNEY SWANS        4.2        10.4     13.6     15.8 (98)

Essendon will enter the Smithy’s VFL finals series as one of the form teams of the competition, winning their sixth consecutive match in a 27-point triumph over Sydney at Windy Hill. Both sides couldn’t be separated after quarter time, being locked on 4.2 apiece before the Swans got the better of their opponents for much of the second term and led by as much as 24 points. The hosts would have the chance to reduce that deficit late in the piece but only managed five behinds to close out the half, however they would kick the first two goals of the third term to assume ascendency in the contest. The away side would recover to again get out to a lead of almost four goals before Essendon again closed the gap to make it a six-point ball game at the final change. The momentum would remain with the Dons in the last quarter with a surge of three goals in four minutes setting the tone for a seven-goal final quarter. Elijah Tsatas dominated in the middle for the hosts, having 37 disposals, 11 inside 50s, nine clearances, eight score involvements and a goal, while Jade Gresham booted a season-high five goals and comes into the finals having kicked 11 majors in his last three games. Sydney, who dropped to 7th with the loss, were led well by Caiden Cleary (30 disposals, 16 tackles, eight clearances) with teammate Jed Longmire kicking three goals.

BEST
Essendon: Jade Gresham, Xavier O’Neill, Elijah Tsatas, Jackson Hately, Saad El Hawli, Tyler Sellers
Sydney Swans: Not submitted
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PORT MELBOURNE   6.5        9.7        10.7     17.13 (115)
COLLINGWOOD        5.2        10.3      12.4     14.5 (89)

Port Melbourne leapfrogged the wildcard pack to end the season in the top six after a 26-point win over Collingwood at ETU Stadium. Both sides combined for 11 goals in the first term with the Borough edging out a nine-point quarter time lead before the Pies had their best stint of the game in the second term where they booted five goals and led by as much as 14 points as time on commenced. However, their good work had been outdone by two late Port Melbourne majors which saw the away side’s lead cut to two points at half time. A low scoring third quarter went Collingwood’s way also as they kicked two goals to one to hold a nine-point advantage at the final change before the Borough took control of the contest by piling on seven majors from 13 scoring shots in the fourth quarter to not only win their 11th match of the season, but with other results eventually going their way, the Borough would secure a spot in the top six. Luca Alessio was the focal point up forward, nailing a season-high six goals and Ben Hobbs maintained his excellent form with 28 disposals, 10 inside 50s, eight clearances and eight tackles. Collingwood saw solid performances from Jai Saxena who kicked a VFL career-high of five majors up forward, as well as Harry DeMattia who finished with 26 disposals, 11 inside 50s and seven tackles.

BEST
Port Melbourne: Luca Alessio, Matthew Gahan, Ben Hobbs, Connor Downie, Dom Bedendo, Tom Hird
Collingwood: Brady Grey, Harrison Coe, Jai Saxena, Harry De Mattia, Mitch Podhajski, Tyan Prindable
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RICHMOND      3.2        5.2        9.4        13.7 (85)
ST KILDA          0.4        3.7        3.10     4.13 (37)

Richmond ended a difficult 2026 campaign on a high, prevailing over St Kilda by 48 points at RSEA Park. Having not won a match since Round 10, the Tigers had a positive start to the match, kicking all three majors in the opening quarter whilst keeping the Saints to just four behinds. St Kilda would have ample opportunities to reduce the deficit in the second term, registering six scoring shots to two, but only kicked three goals whilst still conceding a further two majors to be seven points behind at the main break. That margin would be the closest it got for the remainder of the match as a string of four consecutive goals from Richmond would extend their lead to 30 points by three quarter time before booting four of the final five majors of the game to record their largest winning margin of the season and also be the first side to defeat St Kilda twice in the same season. Samson Ryan played a terrific game up forward, finishing with four majors, five inside 50s and six marks (three of those contested). His teammate Kane McAuliffe was just as impressive with 28 disposals and nine clearances meanwhile the likes of Liam Henry (32 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Billy McGee Galimberti (23 disposals, 10 marks and 10 intercept possessions) were standouts for St Kilda.

BEST
Richmond: Samson Ryan, Kane McAuliffe, Mutaz El Nour, Zachary O'Keefe, Noah Roberts-Thomson, Zane Peucker
St Kilda: Not submitted
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WERRIBEE                 7.2        13.3      17.7     23.10 (148)
SANDRINGHAM         5.3        8.4        10.7     13.11 (89)

Werribee stamped their claim as a premiership contender with a return to the winners list, defeating Sandringham by 59 points at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval. The Tigers would be responsible for seven of the opening quarter’s 12 majors to lead by 11 points at quarter time before putting the pressure on the Zebras late in the first half a further six majors to take a 29-point lead into the main break. The home side would quietly increase their advantage as the third term played out and were never really threatened by their opponents before kicking six goals to three in the final term to feature in September action after a one-year hiatus. A VFL career-high seven majors from livewire forward Anthony Depasquale helped Werribee record their highest score since Round 10, with Jack Riding also chipping in for a season-high five majors to go along with 27 disposals and six inside 50s. Jordan Busuttil (27 disposals, 10 clearances, eight tackles) and Jaelen Pavlidis (26 disposals, 12 marks, 10 intercept possessions) were also handy contributors to the Tigers win, whilst Sandringham saw their best efforts come from the likes of Kynan Brown who had 35 disposals, seven clearances and seven tackles.

BEST
Werribee: Anthony Depasquale, Jaelen Pavlidis, Jack Riding, Xavier Ivisic, Eli Pearce, Sam Donegan
Sandringham: Kynan Brown, Owen Bater, Andreas Stefanakis, Noah Yze, Hamish Murphy, Ricky Theodoropoulos
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GWS GIANTS               1.2        3.5        7.11     9.11 (65)
TASMANIA                   3.3        8.8        12.10   15.14 (104)

Tasmania locked in a top four spot in their inaugural season in the Smithy’s VFL, ending the finals hopes of the GWS Giants in the process after a 39-point win at Tom Wills Oval on Sunday. The Devils created a small gap with late goals to end the opening term with a 13-point lead before they had their most productive quarter of the game when they kicked five second term majors to three, taking a 33-point lead into the half time break despite some late majors from the Giants. The hosts would match Tasmania’s output in the third term, unable to produce a serious threat to their opponent’s lead. They would get to an even four-goal margin at the start of the last quarter, but with the Devils producing three of the last four goals of the game, their top four position was sealed, thus the Giants would miss out on a return to finals action on percentage. Despite kicking three behinds, Hugh Dixon was still influential for the visitors with 26 disposals, 11 marks (four contested) and six inside 50s, meanwhile Jack Dolliver produced three goals. Jack Ough (32 disposals) and Harvey Hooper (24 disposals) each had 10 clearances for the Giants while Reeve Simmons enjoyed a great stint in the ruck with 40 hit outs.

BEST
GWS Giants: Jack Ough, Harvey Hooper, Jake Riccardi, Mitch Szybkowski, Lachlan Grubb, Ryan Hebron
Tasmania: Hugh Dixon, Archie Wilkinson, Jye Menzie, Jack Dolliver, Harry Elmer, Lucas Wootton
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FOOTSCRAY          2.2        5.3        7.4       9.6 (60)
CARLTON              5.3        7.6        9.11     13.13 (91)

Carlton will play finals football for the first time since 2022, accounting for Footscray with a 31-point victory at Mission Whitten Oval on Sunday. Needing a win to enter the top 10 by round’s end, the Blues came out swinging, kicking five consecutive majors after conceding the opening goal to lead by 19 points at quarter time before the Bulldogs built some momentum in the second, getting the margin to seven points before settling for a 15-point deficit at the main break. The reigning premiers would still keep up with their opponents throughout the third quarter, in part thanks to Carlton’s inaccuracy as they kicked just two goals from seven scoring shots, however they were still in the game with the margin sitting at 19 points at three quarter time. But the Bulldogs would never be in a position to strike, instead they conceded three of the final four goals of the game to help the away side lock in a spot in the wildcard next weekend. Lucas Camporeale was excellent for Carlton, amassing 32 disposals, five clearances and five score involvements, whilst Ahmed Saad was brilliant also with 26 disposals at 77% efficiency as well as 11 intercepts. Luke Cleary was just as important for the home side in defence with 28 disposals and 10 intercepts, with teammate Cooper Craig-Peters having another great game with 31 disposals and 10 clearances.

BEST
Footscray: Luke Cleary, Jack Billings, Cooper Craig-Peters, Lachlan McNeil, Oskar Baker
Carlton: Adam Saad, Logan Prout, Oliver Hollands, Lachlan Fogarty, Lucas Camporeale, Flynn Young
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NORTH MELBOURNE            1.2        2.4        6.6        12.7 (79)
GEELONG CATS                     5.5        8.9        14.10   16.17 (113)

Geelong is primed to go on a terrific Smithy’s VFL finals run after cruising past North Melbourne to the tune of 34 points at Arden Street Oval. The Cats, who would finish the season 10 points clear on top of the ladder with another victory, looked set to control the game from the outset, leading by 27 points at quarter time after kicking five of the first six majors of the game. That advantage would only increase throughout the second term, conceding one further goal while booting another four majors themselves to go 41 points to the good at half time. In the space of 15 minutes in the third quarter, Geelong had all but secured the four points, kicking six consecutive majors to hit a game-high lead of 70 points before playing out the remainder of the match. Five goals from Jesse Mellor and four majors from Jamieson Ballantyne kept the scoreboard ticking for the visitors throughout the afternoon, meanwhile George Stevens made another case for AFL section after a performance that included 35 disposals, six inside 50s and a goal. Cooper Harvey and Bailey Scott combined for 84 disposals for the Roos despite the defeat, Harvey also having 12 rebound 50s and eight intercept possessions

BEST
North Melbourne: Oliver Griffin, Josh Goater, Bailey Scott, Thomson Dow, Lachy Dovaston, Taylor Goad
Geelong Cats: Mitch Knevitt, Rhys Stanley, Jesse Mellor, Lennox Hofmann, Jamieson Ballantyne, Nathan Kreuger
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BOX HILL HAWKS      3.3        6.5        13.9     17.10 (112)
CASEY DEMONS         2.7        2.11      6.15     6.19 (55)

For the third time in four seasons, the Box Hill Hawks finished a home and away campaign inside the top four after a dominant 57-point victory over Casey at Box Hill City Oval. The Hawks would lead by two points at quarter time despite having three less scoring shots for the term and would further punish the Demons’ inaccuracy in the second quarter when they kicked three majors whilst keeping the away side to just four behinds. With an 18-point half time lead, the Hawks would put the foot down in the third term with a scintillating eight-goal effort before again keeping Casey goalless for another quarter, this time in the last, as they added a further four majors to jump into third position on the Smithy’s VFL ladder. Six different Hawks would kick multiple goals headlined by Aidan Schubert and Cameron Nairn with three majors apiece. Bodie Ryan was outstanding in defence with 34 disposals and 11 rebound 50s as well as Trent Bianco who had 30 touches and six rebound 50s. Jack Viney had a positive return to VFL level with 20 disposals and a game-high 10 clearances, whilst Xavier Lindsay had 25 disposals and a goal.

BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Stu Horner, Trent Bianco, Bodie Ryan, Ned Reeves, Cameron Nairn, Oliver Greeves
Casey Demons: Xavier Lindsay, Riley Bonner, Ricky Mentha, Jack Viney, Luamon Lual, Jake Melksham
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