Momentum is building for the AFL to introduce a wildcard round in conjunction with the introduction of the new Tasmania team.
The proposed round would extend the AFL Finals Series and could include ‘wildcard’ teams that finish ninth or tenth.
An extra week was already added this season in Gather Round, as the AFL looks to follow the success of its fixture innovation.
A wildcard round has already been added to the VFL finals fixture in 2023.
MORE: Could the VFL 'Wildcard Round' be a precursor for the AFL?
What is the AFL wildcard round?
The AFL wildcard round could come in two possible formats with the first taking inspiration from the NBA.
Teams placed 7th-10th to battle it out for a position in the first round of playoffs, with 7th vs. 10th and 8th vs. 9th in a straight knockout format.
The other format would simply be 8th vs. 9th in a straight knockout match.
American football also allows for extra teams with the best win-loss records to join the NFL Playoffs as wildcards.
The AFL’s wildcard round likely wouldn’t use either structure, with the added fixture likely to be a simple extension of finals games and teams.
How would the AFL wildcard round could work?
Two new fixtures could be added to the finals during the pre-finals bye weekend:
Game one: 7th vs 10th
Game two: 8th vs 9th
The winners would go on to play against the fifth or sixth-placed teams in an elimination final, while it would be season over for the losers.
It is also possible that a wildcard round will only feature 8th vs. 9th.
With a wildcard round in place, a two-game extension will mean more than half of the AFL’s clubs would get the chance to play in the finals.
The change would also give teams that finished 5th to 6th a great advantage, while 7th and 8th-placed teams would have to earn an elimination final spot in the wildcard weekend.
It would also add a new revenue source for the league.
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What is the VFL 'wildcard round'?
Similar to what occurs in American sports prior to the playoffs, four VFL teams will get the opportunity to qualify for the finals after the season has been completed.
Firstly, the top six teams on the VFL ladder at the end of the home and away season will qualify for the finals.
The four teams finishing from 7th to 10th will playoff in a sudden-death match the week after the regular season finishes (7v10, 8v9), with two winners progressing to the final eight finals teams.
This 'wildcard round' will be held on the weekend of August 26-27 and the six finals teams not participating will enjoy a week off before the finals begin.
