Overview
- From 2026, seventh will play 10th and eighth will play ninth on the former pre-finals bye weekend, with winners seeded into seventh and eighth for the traditional finals.
- Teams finishing in the top six retain a week off, while those placed seventh to 10th face an extra knockout step and a longer path to the premiership.
- The AFL confirmed the wildcard fixtures count as official finals, with performances included in Gary Ayres Medal voting.
- CEO Andrew Dillon said the move adds an extra weekend of finals and more “games of consequence,” with clubs and the AFL Players’ Association backing the concept.
- The AFL Fans Association reported about 77–80% opposition and former players criticised the shift, as rights analysts linked the change to protecting broadcast value and cutting late-season dead rubbers.