The AFL’s second-tier competition will introduce a wildcard round before finals

The VFL has been used by the AFL to trial new rules and a finals shake-up in 2023 could lead to big changes.

Collingwood coach Craig McRae won the 2019 VFL grand final with Richmond. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

A bold move to introduce a “wildcard round” before the finals in the VFL in 2023 could be a precursor to a massive shake-up at AFL level in the future.

The 21-team second-tier competition, which features 11 of the AFL’s biggest club’s reserves teams, including reigning premiers Geelong, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Richmond, will offer teams who finish the regular season outside the top eight one last chance to make the finals.

In the week after the end of the home-and-away season the teams that finish seventh to 10th on the ladder will face-off in two sudden-death clashes on the weekend of August 26-27.

The winner of the 7th v 10th and 8th v 9th games will move through to the finals, while the losers will be eliminated.

A wildcard round has long been mooted as a potential move for the AFL to increase incentive for teams who could be out of finals contention towards the end of the season to push for a higher finish rather than limp through the final rounds.

The season dates for the 2023 Smithy’s VFL campaign have been confirmed, with a Wildcard Round introduced to determine the last two spots in the finals.https://t.co/05PxBdXTmB

— VFL / VFLW (@VFL) December 12, 2022

While the AFL has declared its current system, which included the introduction of a pre-finals bye for all teams in 2016, will stay for the immediate future, the VFL move could be seen as a trial for the wildcard system.

“The introduction of the Wildcard Round will provide an exciting new element to the 2023 Smithy‘s VFL season,” AFL head of state league competitions Jennie Loughnan said.

“With 21 teams competing in the Smithy‘s VFL, the addition of the Wildcard Round provides more teams the opportunity to contend for finals.

“We expect the Wildcard Round to create more anticipation and excitement for competing clubs and football fans throughout the home-and-away season, with more sides remaining in finals contention later into the regular season.

“We are extremely proud of the rich tradition and history of the VFL and its clubs and are also open to exploring exciting new opportunities, such as the Wildcard Round, for clubs, players and fans involved within the competition.”

The VFL season start will coincide with round 2 of the AFL season.

Originally published as The AFL’s second-tier competition will introduce a wildcard round before finals