Well, well, well… you turn away for a few minutes to concentrate on life, and the AFL unveils that they’re instituting a finals format that nobody asked for.
It seems that way with this administration, doesn’t it?
Opening Round…
The Stand Rule…
Wildcard Weekend…
I would argue that the majority of footy fans didn’t want any of them, and yet, here we are.
However, I am trying to be impartial on the latest brain fart from AFL House, and attempting to look at this as a glass half full scenario. Is it that bad to have two extra finals games? Or is it just a thinly-veiled cash grab by throwing in two games for teams that don’t deserve an extra shot at the flag?
Let’s explore the positives and negatives.
THE POSITIVES
NO MORE DEAD WEEKEND?
This is the one genuine positive I can pull out of this mess without really thinking about it. The pre-finals bye does not advantage the teams that finish highly on the ladder. It allows teams that limp into the finals a chance to rest up and be ready for a possible four-week campaign to lift the cup. And in doing so, it completely sucks the momentum out of the sport as we head into the finals series.
There’s nothing like pumping the brakes for an extra seven days when you’ve frantically been flooring it in an attempt to both build momentum, and secure a finals berth, right?
And so, the AFL are now, of their own creation, granted a chance to reward the top six teams with a week off, and force the teams ranked seven through to ten into a playoff to join the main contenders.
Is it fair?
No, but neither is finishing tenth and getting a shot at the flag, is it? If you want a benefit, perhaps play better and finish higher.
This way, the teams who qualify higher get the week off, and the also-rans, some of who may have stormed home but missed the finals, have a chance to make some noise and carry on the momentum they built.
Of course, I fully expect the league to completely cock this up. I believe they’ll retain the bye for all teams, including the seventh-to-tenth ranked teams, and continue to provide a weekend of sweet bugger all right when the excitement about the game should be at its highest. You watch them do it.
It’s right on form for them.
THE FAIRYTALE
I’m a sucker for a great story, and a team rallying from a wildcard spot to force their way into a Prelim, or even a Grand Final, is the type of fairytale the sports world loves.
We all love an underdog – tell me you didn’t have a wry smile as the Dogs of 2016 lifted the cup. You had to… unless you were a Swans fan.
As unlikely as it seems, this is a chance for a team to create history, and capture the imagination of the footy public.
And also, the more likely scenario is that it is the chance for those teams to be obliterated by better sides, but I am attempting to be positive, here.
THE NEGATIVES
CLUTCHING AT STRAWS
While I was walking back from school, I buried my nose in my phone to see how the Oxford Dictionary defines Wild.
Bear with me on this – I got hit in the face with a tree branch while I was looking it up.
1 – Wild – living and growing in natural conditions.
Nup, that’s not it.
2 – Wild – in its natural state; not changed by people
Nope again.
3 – Wild – having no discipline or control.
Ding, Ding, Ding… we have a winner.
If this doesn’t come across as an administration desperately trying to inject life into something for the reason of creating an extra week of footy, and some extra coin, I don’t know what could.
Just settle down, Mr Dillon… you don’t have to rush everything – it’s not sex!
The AFL is looking at expanding to 20 teams and want to maximise the number of finals games they can extract money from. The broadcasters will pay, because people will watch. And the AFL laughs (possibly at us) all the way to the bank, as the executives get another nice little bonus for the year due to slightly increased revenue.
REWARDING MEDIOCRITY
I’m sorry, but if you finish tenth in an 18-team competition, you simply don’t deserve to have a sniff of finals. You know who does? The teams that finished from eighth place onwards.
The Sydney Swans had a horrendous season in 2025, and I don’t think any of their supporters could argue that finals was a reward commensurate with their performance over the course of the season.
This is simply the AFL, and those making the decisions, milking the game, and the supporters, for a little more.
FAN SENTIMENT
I had a step-uncle once, and the dog wouldn’t allow him to pat it with his foot. It doesn’t take a genius to work out why – he was a prick of a guy.
The point is, that even the most loyal of dogs will not put themselves in a position to be kicked. They learn a lesson. You’re so lucky – blessed – that you have an audience so invested in their club and their sport, that they tolerate your shit. But one day, you’re going to push too far, and every little push, such as this Wildcard Weekend, is a push closer to us not wanting to be kicked anymore.
Andrew Dillon and the bunch of clowns he has running errands for him continue to thumb their noses at the wishes of the people. You know… the people who love the game and support it.
We know why you do it – it always comes down to money. But at some point, you’ll push too far. I hope I’m gone by then.
So, those were right off the top of my head. What do you have to say on the matter? I look forward to reading.
As always, massive thanks to those who support this work. You can see the amount of care that goes into it. I love footy, I love writing about it, and I hope you enjoy reading it. Without you, this whole thing falls over. Sincerely… thank you – HB
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