Sport

AFL

AFL 2026

Opinion

The AFL’s decision to introduce a new wildcard round , giving the teams that finish ninth and 10th another chance to reach the finals, has ushered in fevered debate.

Already a staple in US sports, the concept is relatively new in Australia and Monday’s official announcement in Melbourne kicked off a torrent of reaction and opinion pieces .

We look at the contrasting arguments.

Another week of finals matches, more sudden-death football and more teams remaining in the play-off hunt for longer. Apparently, that’s a terrible idea.

The AFL’s decision to add a wildcard round to its schedule has ruffled feathers, with a poll conducted by this masthead showing that 80 per cent of fans are against the idea.

But once the initial opposition to the concept dies

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