The right to feature in the biggest game of the 2026 season is the prize on the line in this weekend’s preliminary finals.
SECOND PRELIMINARY FINAL: BOX HILL HAWKS vs ESSENDON
Two rivals will go head-to-head in the hopes of obtaining the first spot in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final as Box Hill and Essendon do battle at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
The Hawks were impressive in their come-from-behind triumph over Werribee in the qualifying final two weeks ago and will be confident they can kick a winning score this weekend.
They’ve now produced three straight scores of triple figures, something that hasn’t been replicated since their streak between Round’s 3-6 earlier this year.
Season-high performances in front of goal from Calsher Dear (four) and Sam Butler (three) in the win over the Tigers come at a good time, as is the midfield efforts of first year draftee Ollie Greeves, who in his last two games has totalled 52 disposals, 11 inside 50’s and 11 clearances.
A win on Saturday would mark the club’s first Grand Final appearances since their premiership triumph in 2018, but what will stick in the minds of many Box Hill fans is that they have fell one step short of reaching the decider in their last two attempts in both 2023, and last year against the Bulldogs.
If they are to overcome those demons, it will have to come against a rampaging Essendon outfit, who impressed greatly against Tasmania away from home last week to advance to their first preliminary final since 2019.
The Bombers led at quarter time and didn’t lose their advantage throughout the match to claim an eighth straight triumph, a run that dates back to the start of July and includes a victory over their Saturday opponents.
In that Round 18 contest, they kept Box Hill to just six goals and their lowest score since May 2024; and the way their defence has been rolling of late, there’s no doubt similar feats can be achieved again this weekend.
Zak Johnson and Deacon Kalpakis combined for 17 intercept possessions and 11 rebound 50’s in the win over the Devils, with Johnson having seven rebound 50’s or greater in his last three matches.
Also hard to not mention Jade Gresham’s efforts at the other end of the ground, who has booted multiple majors in five straight games, including four goals against Tasmania in the semi-final.
Not since the 2010 elimination final have these two sides last played each other in a final, back when Essendon were the Bendigo Bombers.
2026 SEASON
BOX HILL HAWKS
3rd (12-6, 114.4%)
STREAK: Won 3 (2026: WWWLWLWLWWLWWWWWLLW)
ESSENDON
5th (11-7, 100.7%)
STREAK: Won 8 (2026: WWWWWWWWLLWLWWLLWLWL)
2026 MEETING
Round 18 – Kennedy Community Centre
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.2 2.5 4.8 6.10 (46)
ESSENDON 2.3 6.6 6.8 10.11 (71)
BEST
Box Hill Hawks: Stu Horner, Matthew LeRay, Aidan Schubert, Max Beattie, Flynn Perez, Bodie Ryan
Essendon: Jayden Nguyen, Vigo Visentini, Harrison Jones, Jade Gresham, Rhys Unwin, Elijah Tsatas
GOALS
Box Hill Hawks: Brodie McLaughlin 2, Aidan Schubert, Calsher Dear, Matt Hill, Sam Butler
Essendon: Liam McMahon 2, Matt Guelfi 2, Jade Gresham 2, Boston Dowling, Jared Eckersley, Rhys Unwin, Jayden Nguyen
LEADING DISPOSALS
Box Hill Hawks: Bodie Ryan 25, Finn Maginness 24, Sam Butler 24, Trent Bianco 20, Flynn Perez 19, Tom Farrer 17
Essendon: Elijah Tsatas 34, Jaxon Binns 29, Archie Perkins 28, Zak Johnson 27, Jade Gresham 23, Vigo Visentini 21
SECOND PRELIMINARY FINAL: GEELONG CATS vs PORT MELBOURNE
Geelong will look to break a 13-year Smithy’s VFL Grand Final drought when they face Port Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium on Sunday.
The Cats, who occupied top spot from Round 5 onwards, had few issues getting past Tasmania in their qualifying triumph, leading each quarter break to prevail by 23 points in front of their home fans.
That’s despite the Devils showing ominous signs in the first term without gaining full advantage of their work. A factor of Geelong’s game that was highlighted in the ‘State of Play’ podcast this week, in which the Cats have defended strongly against opposition sides this year and outside of a blemish against Collingwood in Round 19, have not conceded 80 points or greater since Round 10.
The likes of Daniel Capiron (six intercept possessions), Nathan Kreuger (eight rebound 50’s) and Lennox Hofmann (seven rebound 50’s) were among those that led the way in the backline a fortnight ago and can be expected to do so again as the Cats aim for their 18th win of the season.
It will be a unit that will test a resolute Port Melbourne side, who are on a four-game winning streak heading into their preliminary final clash following their excellent win over Werribee away from home.
The Borough prevailed by 16 points despite producing 25 scoring shots, in fact in their four most recent wins, they have had 24 scoring shots or greater in each of them, something that might need to come at a minimum if they want to topple the minor premiers.
But it’s their midfield group that can arguably match it with the Cats based on recent form. Josh Green has averaged over seven clearances in his last three games; Ben Hobbs has averaged eight in the same amount of time whilst also winning plenty of the football.
Matt Gahan is also making a case to be the club’s best performing finals player by season’s end, as he continues to accumulate in defence, totalling 56 disposals and 19 rebound 50’s in his two finals this year.
Whilst having not faced each other this year, the Borough have won the last two battles against Geelong, with both matches being decided by under a goal. Neutrals will hope for something similar on Sunday, with no final yet decided by a single figure margin this year.
2026 SEASON
GEELONG CATS
1st (16-2, 167.8%)
STREAK: Won 2 (2026: WWLWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWW)
PORT MELBOURNE
6th (11-7, 97.3%)
STREAK: Won 4 (2026: WWWWLLWWWLWWLWWWLLLW)
LAST MEETING
Round 8. 2025 – ETU Stadium
PORT MELBOURNE 2.2 2.5 4.11 6.15 (51)
GEELONG CATS 2.3 4.6 5.9 6.11 (47)
