George Stevens has capped off an impressive season in 2026, taking out Geelong's VFL Best and Fairest Award on Friday afternoon. 

In an exciting vote count, Stevens finished atop the table with 148 votes to clinch the award, with Mitch Knevitt (132 votes) taking out second position and dashing defender Lenny Hofmann (124 votes) in third. 

Stevens recorded a runner-up finish in the award last year behind winner Marcus Herbert, going one better in 2026 to cap off a sensational season, which also saw him share the top honour in the J.J Liston Trophy. 

Averaging over 30 disposals and close to eight clearances per game, Stevens was firmly among the Cats' best nearly every week, collecting 30 disposals or more on 11 different occasions across the year. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 14: George Stevens from Geelong poses for a photo as the winner of the J.J. Liston Trophy - VFL Best and Fairest during the 2026 VFL and VFLW Awards at the Crown Palladium on September 14th, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos)

He also pushed forward and had a significant scoreboard presence for a full-time midfielder, kicking 13 goals and averaging more than four inside 50 entries per game. 

Knevitt worked his way into the year brilliantly to finish just behind Stevens, averaging 25.8 disposals, 5.2 clearances and 5.7 inside 50s per game. 

Taking another big step in his development, Hofmann showed plenty of potential off half back and finished the year averaging 20.6 disposals per game, regarded as one of Geelong's best intercepting and rebounding defenders. 

Cillian Burke (121 votes) finished in fourth in a brilliant season for the Irishman, while Jed Bews and Joe Pike (119 votes) shared fifth place. 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Lennox Hofmann of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2026 VFL Grand Final match between Geelong Cats and Box Hill Hawks at IKON Park on September 20th, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

Jesse Mellor claimed Geelong's VFL goal-kicking award after a sensational first season on the Cats' AFL list, kicking 42 goals from 19 games, which included a season-high six-goal haul against Richmond in Round 16. 

The Little Vic Award was also presented to Lachlan Weidemann on Friday, which recognises the Cats' VFL team’s best first-year player, in memory of long-serving Geelong Cats volunteer Vic Fuller.

See a full list of award winners from Geelong's VFL Best and Fairest below. 

2026 VFL Best and Fairest Award Winners

  • Winner: George Stevens
  • Runner-Up: Mitch Knevitt
  • 3rd Place: Lenny Hofmann

  • Little Vic Award - Lachlan Weidemann

  • Leading Goalkicker - Jesse Mellor (42 goals)

Geelong Cats VFL Best & Fairest Top 10

Placing

 Player Votes

1st

 George Stevens 148

2nd

 Mitch Knevitt 132

3rd

 Lenny Hofmann 124

4th

 Cillian Burke 121

5th

 Jed Bews 119

5th

 Joe Pike 119

7th

 Jesse Mellor 107

7th

 Jamieson Ballantyne 107

9th

 Nathan Kreuger 106

10th

 Hunter Holmes 104