AFL reportedly considering radical NBA-style ‘wildcard round’ to shake up finals

The AFL is reportedly considering a radical proposal that would shake up the finals series, following the model of American sports.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - July 15. AFL. Nick Bryan of the Bombers battles in the ruck with Tom Hawkins of the Cats during the round 18 AFL match between Geelong and Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, on May 27, 2023, in Geelong, Australia. Photo by Michael Klein.

The AFL will reportedly float the idea of a “wildcard round” before finals with clubs, in a bold proposal that could change the league’s finals system.

The Herald Sun reports incoming AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon will raise the idea with all 18 club CEOs when he meets with them in Melbourne on Tuesday.

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On the agenda is a discussion around fixturing innovation, the placement of byes and potential changes to the finals system.

The AFL has not yet made any indication it will change its current eight-team finals system, but is it said to be open to a discussion about how it can “maximise” the finals series.

Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy’s On The Couch: “One of the agenda items is fixture innovation. He (Dillon) wants to throw up this wildcard weekend — what would it look like, what would the bye situation look like.

“The league says it’s just a thought bubble but they just brought it in for the VFL this season. It’s gone gangbusters in the NBA.

“At its simplest — 8th vs 9th play each other — the winner gets into September in that pre-finals bye. Massive attendance, massive ratings.”

Teams like Essendon and Carlton are in the race for finals this year. Photo by Michael Klein.

A move to a wildcard round would follow in the footsteps of similar system recently introduced in the NBA.

The brainchild of NBA boss Adam Silver, the play-in tournament has proved a success since its introduction in 2020, as teams ranked 7th to 10th in each conference compete for the last two spots in the playoffs.

The specific model for an AFL wildcard round is unclear, but it could see the eighth and ninth placed teams face off during the pre-finals bye for the last spot in finals.

The AFL could hold two ‘wildcard’ finals, between 7th and 10th as well as 8th and 9th, making those teams play their way into the traditional final eight.

In the NBA play-in tournament, the seventh seed plays the eighth seed — the winner goes straight through to the playoffs and the loser gets one more chance against the winner of a game between the ninth and 10th seeds.

With six rounds remaining in the home and away season, just eight points (two wins) separates Geelong in fifth and the Sydney Swans in 14th on the ladder.

Nathan Buckley said on Fox Footy: “With the ladder looking as squeezed as it is, it sort of warrants that you’ve got to win that last one on a wildcard weekend.”

Jonathan Brown added: “This year would be set up for it. It’d be fantastic trial.”

A wildcard round would enable the AFL to drag out the race for the top eight and maintain interest during the pre-finals bye, which has become a dead zone since it was introduced in 2016 to prevent teams from resting half their team in the last round of the season.

A wildcard round would shake up the AFL finals system. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Adelaide Crows veteran Paul Seedsman was supportive of the wildcard idea.

“Love this. Hopefully comes to fruition sooner rather than later,” he tweeted.

“Imagine if it came in this year with 5th-14th within 2 games of each other. Would be an unreal start to what is shaping to be an elite finals series coming up.”

It’s far from a done deal, but the reaction from AFL fans and commentators was mixed, with many against the proposal.

The ABC’s Brett Sprigg tweeted: “Majority of AFL fans hate the idea of a wildcard round pre-finals so there’s nothing surer the concept will eventually get up.”

Jon Ralph posted: “Leave the game alone…. But Gather Round was new this year and it was a triumph. Worth the conversation about how it would work. It is a smash hit in the NBA.”

pro "wildcard round" purely on the basis that it makes 5th and 6th way more beneficial than 7th and 8th; but my support is conditional on it being accurately called a final 10 and not a wildcard round

— Lenny Phillips (@lenphil29) July 17, 2023

Podcast host Ralph Horowitz said: “Could an AFL finals wildcard round that no one wants happen?

“On one hand it will bring extra money into the game & the executives who will make the call have salary bonuses based on more money coming into the game. On the other hand there is no other hand.”

SEN’s Matthew Donald posted: “Gather Round worked because it was a concept that was designed exclusively with the fans in mind. This is just an excuse to have more games than can be hyped up.

“If a team is good enough for finals, they won’t need a wildcard round to qualify.”

Dillon has mentioned his desire for the AFL Grand Final to remain in the traditional 2.30pm timeslot and for more Thursday night games, but a wildcard round would be his first major move as AFL CEO if it is eventually introduced.