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AFL set to introduce top-10 finals system for 2026
SEN •  November 9th, 2025 8:29 pm
The AFL is set to make a change to the AFL finals system for the first time since 2000, with the addition of the Wildcard Weekend for the 2026 season.
As reported by Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary, this will mean that the AFL finals system will now expand to 10 clubs with 7th to play 10th and 8th to play 9th in the first week of finals.
The concept has long been considered by the AFL as a way of creating more interest in the season by having more teams in the running to play finals.
While this will be the first time that the AFL will have it in place, the wildcard system has been trialled in the VFL since 2023.
More to come.
