Overview
- Seventh will play 10th and eighth will play ninth on the new Wildcard Finals weekend in 2026.
- The two winners will be seeded seventh and eighth before the finals proceed under the existing format.
- Top-six teams keep a week off after Round 24, every top-eight side will host a home final, and clubs outside the top six could face up to five finals wins to take the flag.
- AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon framed the move as an extra weekend for fans and part of broader competition evolution.
- Reporting notes commercial upside for broadcasters and ongoing debate over whether ninth- and 10th-placed teams are credible finals contenders, with 2025 hypotheticals illustrating the gaps.