The 2026 Smithy’s VFL premiership will be decided on Sunday afternoon, with minor premier Geelong taking on VFL powerhouse Box Hill at IKON Park.

The Cats have been the benchmark throughout the season, finishing the home and away campaign with a 16-2 record and a percentage of 167.8.

They had no issues carrying that form into September, defeating Tasmania by 23 points in the qualifying final before producing a 47-point win over Port Melbourne in last weekend’s preliminary final.

Few players have had a bigger season than Geelong midfielder George Stevens, illustrated with the 22-year-old being crowned a joint winner of the J.J. Liston Trophy with Frankston’s Trent Mynott on Monday night.

After polling 22 votes in the home and away season, Stevens was again pivotal in the Cats’ victory against the Borough last week, producing 30 disposals, 12 tackles and nine clearances in the triumph.

His ability to win contested possessions and generate territory will again be critical, with Mitch Knevitt, Jack Bowes and Jay Rantall expected to provide further midfield support.

Geelong's defensive record has been a major feature of its season, with the Cats conceding the fewest points in the competition during the home-and-away campaign. And after only giving up six goals in their preliminary final victory, they will be confident they can contain Box Hill’s many threats in attack.

Box Hill had the third best defence in the competition in season 2026 but still conceded nearly 300 points more than the Cats in the regular season. However, they have the personnel in the backline to put together an influential display.

It will likely be led by young gun Noah Mraz, who recorded 11 intercept possessions in the Hawks preliminary final over Essendon last week.

Meanwhile the likes of James Blanck and Jack Scrimshaw can also be relied upon to prevent the Cats from putting together a high score like they did in their Round 2 encounter.

Keep an eye out for 2026 VFL Team of the Year captain Stuart Horner, who shut down the dangerous Jade Gresham last week after a blistering start – a job that proved pivotal in the Hawks’ victory.

Up forward, Box Hill will be confident it has the firepower to upset Geelong’s resolute defensive outfit, headlined by Calsher Dear who has kicked seven majors in his two finals this season.

Brodie McLaughlin can win any game off his own boot when he’s on song and last week he reached the 50-goal mark for the season as he looks to taste premiership success with the Hawks, an achievement he achieved with the Gold Coast Suns in 2023.

To combat the terrific midfield that Geelong produces, the Hawks will have a trio of in-form players including Henry Hutwaite, Oli Greeves and Finn Maginness who have all showcased an ability to win plenty of the football at stoppages.

It also creates an intriguing ruck battle between Joe Pike and Ned Reeves that could prove decisive in how this decider will play out.

There is plenty of Grand Final experience between the two coaches, which adds to the storylines that this decider has produced thus far.

Geelong coach Mark Corrigan was part of the Cats’ 2012 VFL premiership side before later coaching Casey Demons to the 2022 VFL premiership.

Meanwhile Box Hill coach David Mirra was a two-time premiership player with Box Hill and claimed the Norm Goss Medal as best afield in the club's 2018 Grand Final triumph.

When these two clubs last met in a Grand Final back in 2013, it was the Hawks who prevailed by 21 points.

But in the most recent battle between these sides back in Round 2, Geelong produced a comfortable 47-point victory at GHMBA Stadium.

It’s all set up for what is a highly anticipated finish to the Smithy’s VFL 2026 campaign.

2026 SEASON

GEELONG CATS
1st (16-2, 167.8%)
STREAK: Won 3 (2026: WWWLWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWW)

BOX HILL HAWKS
3rd (12-6, 114.4%)
STREAK: Won 4 (2026: WWWWLWLWLWWLWWWWWLLW)

2026 MEETING

Round 2 – GMHBA Stadium
GEELONG CATS         8.1   13.3   19.5       19.9 (123)
BOX HILL HAWKS      4.0   5.4      7.7         10.11 (71)

BEST
Geelong Cats: Jack Bowes, George Stevens, Jake Kolodjashnij, Daniel Capiron, Mitchell Knevitt, Joe Pike
Box Hill Hawks: Max Ramsden, Bailey Macdonald, Finn Maginness, Harry Morrison, Brodie McLaughlin, Bodie Ryan

GOALS
Geelong Cats: Daniel Capiron 5, Jack Bowes 3, Will White 3, Joe Pike 2, George Stevens 2, Brad Close, Mitch Knevitt, Patrick Kelly, Jesse Mellor
Box Hill Hawks: Brodie McLaughlin 3, Aidan Schubert 2, Cody Anderson 2, Cameron Nairn 2, Max Ramsden, Jack Dalton

LEADING DISPOSALS
Geelong Cats: Jack Bowes 38. George Stevens 28, James Worpel 28, Lennox Hofmann 27, Mitch Knevitt 24
Box Hill Hawks: Finn Maginness 29, Kye Declase 23, Harry Morrison 21, Bailey Macdonald 19, Bodie Ryan 19, Oli Greeves 19