AFL's first wildcard final: Bulldogs host Collingwood in sudden-death at the MCG

The AFL's first-ever wildcard final — a sudden-death knockout for a finals spot — saw the Western Bulldogs host Collingwood at the MCG on 28 August 2026. The Bulldogs finished eighth to qualify; Collingwood earned the seventh-versus-eighth slot. One loss ends the season. The winner meets Geelong or Adelaide next week. A second wildcard final followed on 29 August.