AFL locks in first wildcard weekend: two elimination finals at the MCG, August 28-29

The AFL has confirmed its first wildcard weekend. Western Bulldogs (8th) face Collingwood (9th) on Friday, August 28 at 7:40pm AEST; Melbourne (7th) play Carlton (10th) on Saturday, August 29 at 7:35pm AEST. Both matches are at the MCG. Winners fill the last two finals berths — the higher-ranked winner travels to Adelaide, the lower to Geelong. The format was announced in November 2025 as the biggest finals shake-up in 25 years.