The trifecta of state-league football competitions in the country came to a close on Sunday, with Box Hill Hawks (VFL), Peel Thunder (WAFL) and Norwood climbing to the top of their respective mountains.
AFL-affiliate clubs Box Hill (Hawthorn) and Peel (Fremantle) utilised a host of top-line listed talent to overrun Geelong and Claremont, while Norwood's come-from-behind win over Sturt was one for the ages.
VFL: Box Hill Hawks (62) def. Geelong Cats (39)
The Hawks, led by rookie Ollie Greeves - who was named the Norm Goss Medallist (best on ground) - were too strong for the Cats, winning by 23 points.
Greeves collected 28 possessions, nine clearances and seven inside 50s.
Back on top, the mighty fighting Hawks 🏆
🎥: Watch the Smithy’s VFL Grand Final live and free on the ABC, ABC iview, AFL website and AFL Live Official App pic.twitter.com/46vy3oUJ01
— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) September 20, 2026
Teammates Jack Scrimshaw (22 disposals, 12 intercept possessions and 10 marks), Ned Reeves (43 hitouts, one goal, 11 possessions and six clearances), Henry Hustwaite (26 touches, nine tackles and six clearances) and Calsher Dear (two goals and nine touches) were influential in the victory.
For Geelong, Mitch Knevitt was the best performer in the blue and white hoops, amassing 22 possessions, 11 tackles and four clearances.
J.J. Liston Trophy winner George Stevens had 25 disposals, eight tackles and five clearances, while Jhye Clark gathered 27 touches.
The grand final defeat was Geelong's third loss for 2026, going down to Footscray (Round 4) and Collingwood (Round 19). They claimed the minor premiership by 10 points over Werribee in second place, but four wins ahead of Box Hill in third.
SANFL: Norwood Redlegs (87) def. Sturt Blues (73)
More than 38,000 fans packed into the Adelaide Oval to see an absolute classic between two elite clubs in the SANFL.
The Redlegs were the hot favourites after claiming the minor premiership, although the Blues were coming home with a wet sail.
Norwood trailed at the final change by 18 points, but mounted a comeback led by Tristan Binder's four-goal final quarter performance.
Tristan Binder kicked FOUR GOALS in the final term 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Kp8GtcJ4li
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 20, 2026
Redleg guns Kade Dittmar (26 possessions, 12 tackles and five clearances), Baynen Lowe (two goals, 27 possessions and five tackles) and Magarey Medallist Nik Rokahr (26 touches, 11 tackles and seven inside 50s) were enormous.
Lowe was awarded the Jack Oatey Medal (best on ground).
Former AFL players Aaron Francis (11 intercept possessions and 16 touches) and Harry Boyd (18 disposals, seven score involvements and six clearances) dominated for Norwood.
Ex-Bomber Will Snelling was arguably Sturt's best, recording 21 possessions and 13 tackles.
Former Docker Tom Emmett slotted three majors, while ex-Pie Ash Johnson chimed in with two crucial goals.
WAFL: Peel Thunder (113) def. Claremont (51)
Fremantle's affiliated reserves side produced a memorable season, topping off the minor premiership with a flag over second-placed Claremont.
AFL-listed players Bailey Banfield (30 possessions and 12 marks), Jeremy Sharp (27 touches, one goal and seven inside 50s) and Sean Darcy (30 hit-outs, 14 disposals and six tackles) were all instrumental in the win.
Sharp was awarded the Simpson Medal (best afield).
"We're off the piss. We'll bus down, we'll celebrate and then we gotta bus back [and] get ready for main training on Wednesday."
🗣️ Sean Darcy on Peel Thunder's premiership celebrations with Fremantle playing in the AFL Grand Final next week pic.twitter.com/16hylW97vz
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 20, 2026
Charlie Nicholls slotted three majors, while Tobyn Murray kicked two, along with Jaren Carr.
Brandon Walker featured in the victory after he was overlooked for AFL selection in the preliminary final against Sydney. He recorded 13 possessions and three marks.
Leading the charge for Claremont was Samuel Alverez, collecting 27 possessions and six marks.
Draft prospect Heath Mellody was strong on the big stage, picking up 14 disposals, three inside 50s and three marks.
Sam van Rooyen, the younger brother of Demon, Jacob, kicked two goals from two touches.











