AFL boss Andrew Dillon is adamant a landscape-shifting transfer to introduce a finals wildcard spherical isn’t “rewarding mediocrity”. adamant it’s what lovers need regardless of overwhelming rejection of the plan.
Just about 80 in line with cent of AFL lovers don’t give a boost to the trade, which opens the door for the groups that end 9th and tenth within the common season to win a “knockout” ultimate at the weekend, which had develop into the pre-finals bye.
Because the plan used to be showed, the AFL Enthusiasts Affiliation known as at the AFL Fee to rethink the proposal to introduce it in 2026, with the likes of Richmond champion Matthew Richardson aghast.
“Greater than part our groups make the finals. Critically?” he wrote on social media.
However Dillon used to be adamant the plan used to be designed to provide lovers extra “video games of result” right through the season as golf equipment jostle for positions till the general spherical and had the whole backing of the golf equipment.
“Through increasing the general collection, we’ll have all video games of result right through the house in some way which we all know our lovers love,” he mentioned.
“We all know lovers will pass to these video games. We all know they’ll watch them in numbers. However what we additionally know is that, specifically ultimate collection this yr the place we had just about each and every sport as a detailed sufficient to a sellout, our lovers love finals video games.”
Dillon used to be adamant the groups tat completed 9th and tenth in 2025, the Western Bulldogs and Sydney, can be worthy of a finals spot.
“I feel when you take a look at the ladder over the previous few years, and you notice the groups which have been completing in 9th and tenth, and this yr’s an ideal instance, you had the Bulldogs received neatly greater than 50 in line with cent of the video games, had a proportion of over 130,” he mentioned.
“And also you had the Swans who received over 50 in line with cent of the video games, so I don’t suppose it rewards mediocrity. What it does is supply alternatives and extra video games of result.”
The Bulldogs received 14 video games in 2025, a host that can have been sufficient to complete as top as 5th in some contemporary seasons, however wanted 15 wins to play finals.
Dillon showed {that a} wildcard finals win can be counted as a finals win for all golf equipment, and the transfer would put a top class on each and every completing place throughout the most sensible 8, with groups above 7th to get every week off nonetheless.
“What it does do then is in fact make that hole between 6th and 7th, that’ll be one thing that the golf equipment shall be striving for,” he mentioned.
“We’ll see right through the finals, you’ll have a large distinction between first and 2d since you get the house ultimate, 3rd and fourth, you get the double probability, 5th and 6th, you’ll get that week off, after which 7th and 8th, you’ll get to host a house wildcard ultimate.”
However the response used to be swift from the lovers affiliation, which declared 77 in line with cent of lovers didn’t need the trade and known as for a direct overview.
“Enthusiasts aren’t antagonistic to innovation,” AFLFA president Ron Issko mentioned.
“However the wildcard proposal has raised questions on equity and the home-and-away season. We inspire the AFL Fee and AFL executives to check this proposal, percentage the explanation, and make sure any choice balances innovation with what supporters price maximum.
“Enthusiasts have made their perspectives transparent. We are hoping the fee and bosses imagine this comments in moderation whilst balancing the desires of the contest, avid gamers, and supporters alike.”
