Jonathan Simpkin and Lisa Hardemann will present the best on ground medals at the 2026 Smithy's VFL and VFLW Grand Finals.

Simpkin will award the Norm Goss Medal to the player adjudged best on ground in the Smithy's VFL Grand Final, which will be contested between the Geelong Cats and Box Hill Hawks.

He represented both clubs during his playing career and claimed the 2013 Norm Goss Medal when best afield in the Hawks' Grand Final win over the Cats at Marvel Stadium. 

His performance famously saw him elevated to Hawthorn's line-up for the AFL Grand Final the following week, where he featured in the club's premiership victory against Fremantle.

Hardeman will award the medal named in her honour, with the Lisa Hardemann Medal presented to the player voted as best afield in the VFLW Grand Final.

Inducted as an AFL life member in 2023, Hardeman has been an influential contributor to Australian Football on and off the field for more than four decades.

Hardeman won the Helen Lambert Medal in 1989 as the VWFL best and fairest, in addition to winning five premierships and representing Victoria, prior to serving in various key administrative roles.

She will award the 2026 Lisa Hardeman Medal to the played adjudged best on ground in the clash between Williamstown and North Melbourne Werribee.

MATCH INFO

2026 VFLW Grand Final: Williamstown vs North Melbourne Werribee
Sunday, September 20
IKON Park, 11:00am AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au and AFL Live Official App

2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final: Geelong Cats vs Box Hill Hawks
Sunday, September 20
IKON Park, 2:05pm AEST
Broadcaster: ABC (ABC in Victoria, ABC iview nationally) + AFL.com.au and AFL Live Official App

TICKETING

Admission prices for the 2026 Smithy’s VFL and VFLW Grand Finals are adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free, which includes entry to both matches.

Tickets can be purchased from midday Tuesday at www.intix.com.au/org/vfl

BROADCAST

The 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final will be broadcast live and free by ABC TV VIC, the network’s main channel in Victoria, and ABC iview nationally, with a stream available on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

The 2026 VFLW Grand Final will be broadcast live and free on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.