Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
“What’s the issue?”: Cornes questions Wildcard outrage
SEN • November 10th, 2025 11:06 am
Kane Cornes can’t understand the pushback from the general public regarding the AFL’s introduction of Wildcard Weekend.
The AFL has confirmed that the ‘Wildcard Finals Round’ will come in next season with 7th to play 10th and 8th to play 9th while the top six receive the week off.
There has been constant outrage on social media and the talkback lines since the idea was first floated and that has continued in the wake of the confirmation.
But Cornes can’t work out why footy fans are against this idea.
“I don’t see this as 10 teams making finals. I know that’s been the talk and everyone is absolutely losing their minds,” Cornes said on SEN Breakfast.
“What’s wrong with this? What’s the issue?
“In the ‘week off’ we would have got 7 v 10 which would have been Gold Coast v Sydney - and 8 v 9 which would have been Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs. That would have been an unbelievable game of football.
“Then the finals start the following week. What is the issue here?”
Cornes believes the AFL is on a hiding to nothing given the footy public tends to criticise them regardless of if they’re changing things or sitting still.
“People have just got to sit back, just calm down. Yes, it’s change and we don’t like change, the finals still start when the finals start, it keeps the season going for longer,” he added.
“And you know what? We get to watch hopefully a couple of good games when usually we’d be watching nothing.
“I don’t think there’s an issue with an extra game, trying to grow the game. The AFL has been criticised for letting the NRL for doing things and being innovative so we bring State of Origin back, we bring a Wildcard in, there’s Gather Round and they’re trying to do some things and they’re still criticised.
“They can’t really win when it comes to things like this, but sit back and you get two games of footy, your team gets their season to stay alive for longer and it absolutely rewards those that finish in the top six.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing.”
Five changes the AFL fixture needs for 2026
