Hawthorn has won the 2026 Victorian Wheelchair Football League (VWFL) Championship Division premiership following a thrilling one-point win over Essendon on Sunday at La Trobe University. 

It is the second time the Hawks have won the VWFL flag, following their first premiership in 2023. 

The brown and gold rapidly burst out of the blocks during Sunday’s match, opening up a 26-point lead at quarter-time, courtesy of Yassin Hill’s strong form in front of goals. 

The Bombers then fought back in the second term, outscoring the Hawks six goals to one to reverse the margin in their favour by half-time, leading by five points. 

Following some encouraging words from coach Andrew Harrison at the main break, Hawthorn regained its spark in the third quarter, thanks to some strong defensive efforts by captain Hayden Auber, Troy Hawkins, Paul Laidlaw and Adam Smark. 

Enter Finn Broadbent in the fourth term. 

After scoring two majors earlier in the game, his third came in the dying stages to repel another Essendon fightback and give the Hawks a two-point lead with two minutes remaining. 

Then with just seconds remaining, the Bombers rapidly moved the ball up the court to earn a set shot after the siren. 

With the strong crowd on the sidelines holding their breaths, the shot drifted wide and didn’t register a score, meaning the Hawks had held on to win by the finest of margins. 

By the end of the game, Hill earned best-on-ground honours for a second time after scoring nine goals in the thrilling affair. 

He joined coach Harrison and teammate Broadbent as dual premiership winners, with the latter also celebrating his birthday on Sunday. 

It comes after a remarkable season where the Hawks dealt with player availability and injury issues to win the flag from third position. 

VWFL CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION GRAND FINAL 

Essendon: 1.1 | 7.4 | 8.5 | 12.6 (78) 

Hawthorn: 5.3 | 6.5 | 9.7 | 12.7 (79)