Fans vs. AFL: The Wildcard Round – A Bold Move That's Sparking Major Debate
Imagine a sports league deciding to shake things up by letting more teams into the playoffs, even those who barely scraped by. Sounds exciting, right? But what if it undermines the very idea of what makes a championship special? That's the core battle brewing in Australian Football League (AFL) circles, where fans are clashing with the league over the new wildcard round – essentially a top 10 finals system. It's a controversial shake-up that's got everyone talking, and trust me, you won't want to miss the twists ahead.
For over three decades, the final eight format – where only the top eight teams from a season's ladder advance to the playoffs – thrived and won over fans, clubs, and players alike. This setup created a sense of exclusivity and high stakes, making every game in the regular season matter deeply. Yet, despite its proven success, the AFL has scrapped it in favor of something that should really be called the top 10. Many supporters, myself included, argue that eight teams are plenty – a sweet spot that keeps the competition elite and rewarding for true excellence.
To understand this shift, let's rewind a bit. Back in 1990, the AFL operated with a final five for just 14 teams in the league. When Adelaide joined the next year, expanding to 15 teams, it grew to a final six. But the real game-changer came in 1994: the introduction of the top eight, which balanced the competition beautifully and became a staple.
But here's where it gets controversial... This evolution wasn't just about fairness or excitement; it's often rooted in the AFL's drive for more games, bigger audiences, and fatter revenue streams. While that's understandable in a business sense – who doesn't want more eyeballs on the action? – it sometimes trumps other values like integrity and the genuine thrill of a hard-earned spot. Finishing seventh in the ladder, for instance, used to feel like a major achievement, a testament to consistent performance. Now, with the wildcard, even teams in the bottom half might sneak in, blurring the lines between deserving champions and lucky underdogs.
The AFL hasn't been shy about bold changes in recent years. They've ditched the traditional centre bounce (that ceremonial start where the ball is thrown in by the umpire), and now the final eight is history, joining relics like the old final four system, suburban grounds, the 3KZ radio station, and even figures like Peter Landy in the archives of football lore.
Proponents of the top 10 – or wildcard round, as it's sometimes branded – argue it's a win for keeping interest alive. Specifically, it extends the season's drama for teams hovering around 9th to 13th place, who might otherwise tune out early. Plus, it adds two extra games, potentially boosting viewership and revenue, especially at a time when free-to-air and pay-TV networks are struggling to hold audiences. For beginners new to AFL, think of it like expanding a tournament bracket: more teams mean more chances for upsets and excitement, which could draw in casual fans who love surprises.
However, the counterarguments are stronger and more persuasive in many eyes.
First and foremost, it's fundamentally unfair for a team from the bottom half of the ladder – say, 10th place – to get a shot at the premiership. To illustrate, if this system had been in play last season (2025), the Hawks (8th) would have played host to the Bulldogs (9th), while the Gold Coast Suns (7th) would face off against the Sydney Swans (10th). The Swans, who won only 12 out of 23 games with a mediocre 97 percent win rate, would be on equal footing with the Suns, who racked up 15 wins and a strong 124.9 percent. Does that really honor the best team, or does it dilute the magic?
That 2025 season was an outlier, with a massive gap between the top nine teams and the bottom eight (Sydney was somewhere in between). The finals reflected that: the Hawks powered through to the preliminary final, and the Suns shocked the Dockers in Perth. The top eight was evenly matched, though Brisbane Lions' sheer talent shone brightest in crunch moments.
Critics point out that 10th-place teams often don't deserve September glory. Looking at history, in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, the 10th team typically won just 10 or 11 games (with St Kilda managing only 10 in 2021 out of 23 regular-season matches). Sure, Adelaide missed out in 2023 due to a goal umpire error, but that's a one-off fluke, not a systemic issue.
When Tasmania joins the league, probably in 2028, we'll have 10 finalists out of 19 teams – still a hefty majority getting playoff spots, even if it's one team fewer than from an 18-team setup. Tenth place epitomizes average performance, not elite status. For newcomers to AFL, this means over half the teams could advance, turning what was once a prestigious cut-off into something far less exclusive.
The league has been eyeing this finals expansion for some time. In July, when club CEOs were polled, there was little resistance – many saw the financial upside and thought, 'Why not?' Clubs might disagree with conservative fans (a whopping 77 percent oppose the wildcard, per an AFL Fans’ Association survey), but they believe acceptance will come once it's the norm.
I believe seasons like 2023 and 2024 were more typical than 2025, where many teams dropped out of contention by round 12 or 13. In those years, teams like Carlton and the Giants clawed back from the bottom five by mid-season to reach preliminary finals, and the Hawks went from 0-5 to nearly making the semis. No top 10 was needed to keep the passion burning for those outside the top eight – the comebacks were thrilling enough!
At its heart, this reform seems driven by the AFL's desire for 'big tent' events that captivate viewers, perhaps to counter the NRL's edge with its four State of Origin matches that feel like grand finals. Note how this coincides with reviving State of Origin games in pre-season. But piling on more fixtures doesn't always equal better quality – sometimes, it's just more of the same.
A final thought: Remember the Bulldogs' fairy-tale win in 2016, starting from seventh place? It was a miracle, a David-vs-Goliath story that captured hearts. Under the new system, that kind of upset might feel as routine as climbing Everest without extra oxygen – still impressive, but losing its wonder.
When the top 10 idea resurfaced last year, inspired by American sports models, I compared it to a bad case of indigestion that keeps coming back. Unfortunately, it's now something we all have to digest.
And this is the part most people miss... Is this reform truly about fan engagement, or is it a corporate play that prioritizes profits over tradition? Does expanding finals make the sport fairer, or does it cheapen the reward for finishing at the top? What do you think – are you for the wildcard, seeing it as inclusive excitement, or against it, viewing it as a betrayal of meritocracy? Share your views in the comments; I'd love to hear agreements, disagreements, or wild counterpoints. Does the AFL risk alienating its loyal base by chasing broader audiences?
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