The Hawks are smiling again.

Box Hill secured its fourth VFL premiership with a 23-point upset win over Geelong in the 2026 Smithy's VFL Grand Final at IKON Park on Sunday.

In a gritty contest, the Hawks hit the lead with two goals late in the first term and never relinquished their advantage thereafter in the 8.14 (62) to 5.9 (39).

With heavy winds sweeping through IKON Park, the Hawks put on a defensive masterclass to restrict the high-scoring Cats to just three goals to the midway point of the second quarter.

Young midfielder Oliver Greeves was a standout in the middle of the ground, with the 19-year-old claiming the Norm Goss Medal for best afield in a performance that yielded 28 disposals and a match-high nine clearances.

He and Henry Hustwaite (26 disposals, nine tackles, six clearance) were the beneficiaries of Ned Reeves’ dominance in the ruck – with Hawks big man controlling the air with 43 hitouts, while also picking up 12 touches and kicking a goal.

Noah Mraz and Jack Scrimshaw were both exceptional in defence, combining for 18 marks and 42 disposals.

At the other end Calsher Dear was the only multiple goal kicker with two majors but could have finished with several more but for wayward kicking.

Jhye Clark tried admirably to get things going for Geelong and had a team-high 27 disposals, while Mitch Knevitt was prolific early and finished with 22 disposals, with his effort demonstrated by an equal game-high 11 tackles.

Unfortunately for the Cats they were unable to find a match-winner inside forward 50, losing by 23 points despite having 10 more inside 50m entries across the day.

Signs were promising for Geelong early in the piece, with Jacob Molier nailing a brilliant set shot from out wide for the opening goal of the game.

In a sign of what was to come, the next major took 12 minutes to come, with Will McCabe sneaking out the back to get Box Hill on the board.

Jack Bowes burst through a stoppage at the 24-minute mark to hand Geelong back the lead, but late goals from long range by Cameron Nairn and Aidan Schubert gave Box Hill a seven-point buffer at the first change.

The Hawks’ control continued over the next two quarters and while they only added five majors across that period, the kept the Cats to just one goal – which came from a brilliant solo effort from defender Jed Bews.

Box Hill had multiple chances to put the result beyond doubt early in the last, but missed several gettable shots, a fate that was soon felt by Geelong when it had chances to get into the contest.

In the end, the Hawks were never threatened in the final term as they secured their first flag since 2018 and provided a repeat of the 2013 Grand Final triumph against the Cats.

Final score: Geelong Cats 5.9 (39) def by Box Hill Hawks 8.14 (62)

Norm Goss Medal: Oliver Greeves (Box Hill Hawks)

Goals
Geelong: Jamieson Ballantyne, Jed Bews, Jack Bowes, Jacob Molier, Zach Stevens
Box Hill Hawks: Calsher Dear 2, Will McCabe, Brodie McLaughlin, Cameron Nairn, Corey Preston, Ned Reeves, Aidan Schubert

Crowd: 12,941 at IKON Park

Norm Goss Medal voting
Jennie Loughnan (AFL Head of State League Competitions)
3 - Noah Mraz (BHH)
2 - Oliver Greeves (BHH)
1 - Ned Reeves (BHH)

Nigel Carmody (VFL State Team Chairman of Selectors)
3 - Jack Scrimshaw (BHH)
2 - Oliver Greeves (BHH)
1 - Noah Mraz (BHH)

Gemma Bastiani (ABC)
3 - Oliver Greeves (BHH)
2 - Noah Mraz (BHH)
1 - Henry Hustwaite (BHH)

Dan Batten (News Corp)
3 - Oliver Greeves (BHH)
2 - Noah Mraz (BHH)
1 - Henry Hustwaite (BHH)

Total
10 votes - Oliver Greeves (BHH)
8 - Noah Mraz (BHH)
3 - Jack Scrimshaw (BHH)
2 - Henry Hustwaite (BHH)
1 - Ned Reeves (BHH)