Tickets for the 2026 Smithy's VFL second preliminary final between Box Hill Hawks and Essendon on Saturday, September 12 are now sold out.

The match will be broadcast live and free by ABC TV VIC, the network’s main channel in Victoria, and streamed nationally via ABC iview, AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.

The Hawks will host the do-or-die fixture at Box Hill City Oval, where the Bombers will gun for a ninth straight win and a place in the VFL Grand Final for the first time since the days of the official Reserves competition in 1999.

These two sides last met in round 18, where the Dons continued their streak with a gutsy 25-point win.

Second Preliminary Final: Box Hill Hawks vs Essendon
Saturday, September 12
Box Hill City Oval, 11:05am AEST
Broadcaster: ABC (ABC in Victoria, ABC iview nationally)

Follow along in the Essendon VFL socials for more information and match day coverage.