THE AFL has today announced four of the game's most respected figures will play key roles throughout the 2026 Toyota AFL Finals Series. Paul Chapman, Roger Dean and Paul Roos will present medals on Toyota AFL Grand Final day, while Luke Hodge has been appointed the 2026 AFL Premiership Cup Ambassador.
A four-time premiership player, three-time premiership captain and dual Norm Smith Medallist, Luke Hodge will serve as the 2026 AFL Premiership Cup Ambassador. Hodge, a member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, played 346 games for Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions across 18-seasons.
Hodge will lead the Toyota AFL Premiership Cup Tour, which begins this week, taking the game's most iconic prize to communities across Australia.
Paul Chapman will present the Norm Smith Medal to the player judged best-on-ground on Toyota AFL Grand Final Day. The 2009 Norm Smith Medallist, Chapman played 280 games for Geelong and Essendon and won three premierships with the Cats.
Regarded as one of the competition's premier finals players of his generation, Chapman recorded 26 disposals and three goals in his 2009 Norm Smith Medal winning performance including a late match-winning goal.
A two-time premiership player, including captaining Richmond to the 1969 premiership, Roger Dean will present the Barassi Medal to the winning captain. A member of Richmond's Team of the Century and Hall of Fame, Dean was named a Club Immortal in 2019 and remains one of the Tigers' most respected leaders.
Paul Roos will present the Jock McHale Medal to the premiership coach. Roos played 356 games for Fitzroy and Sydney, earned eight All Australian selections across his 17-season playing career. Following his playing career, Roos became one of the game's most influential coaches, leading Sydney to its breakthrough 2005 premiership before helping lay the foundations for Melbourne's resurgence and eventual 2021 premiership.
Roos is a member of both the Australian Football Hall of Fame and Fitzroy Hall of Fame.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the appointments recognised four people whose contributions had left a lasting impact on the game.
"The Toyota AFL Finals Series is where great performances and moments become part of football folklore, so it's fitting we recognise individuals who have helped shape some of those biggest moments in AFL/VFL finals history.
"Luke, Paul, Roger and Paul have each left a lasting mark on our game through premiership success, leadership, coaching and individual brilliance on the biggest stage and we are delighted they will play a role in celebrating the achievements throughout the Toyota AFL Finals Series.”