VFL to introduce Wildcard Round for the 2023 season

The landscape of the VFL is changing again in 2023 with an “exciting” new addition to the fixture. Here’s what has changed.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 18: Mark Corrigan, coach of the Casey Demons and Mitch White of the Casey Demons celebrate after the 2022 VFL Grand Final match between the Casey Demons and the Southport Sharks at Ikon Park on September 18, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Wildcard Round is coming to the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 2023.

Officials have announced the introduction of the concept for next season which will see four teams battle it out for the last two finals positions.

Set to be played across the weekend of August 26 and 27, following the final round of the home-and-away season, two games will feature seventh on the ladder against 10th while eighth will take on ninth.

The highest ranked winner will enter the finals series as the seventh ranked team.

The introduction of an additional week of footy means the VFL will have clear air for its first week of finals which are scheduled to take place during the AFL’s finals bye week.

The AFL’s head of state league competitions Jennie Loughnan said Wildcard Round would provide an “exciting new element” to the VFL.

Casey won the 2022 premiership. Photo: Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

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

“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 2023 VFL season, which will be played across 22 rounds, will begin on the weekend of March 25 and 26 — Round 2 of the AFL season.

All teams will play 18 matches and have four byes.

It has been confirmed all competing clubs from 2022 will return next year.

The complete fixture for the 2023 season will be finalised in due course with an announcement on the VFLW season to be provided shortly.