AFL's Radical Finals Overhaul Sparks Fiery Debate
The Australian Football League has ignited a firestorm of controversy by axing the traditional top-eight finals system in favour of a revolutionary top 10 format that includes a wildcard round. After three decades of the established system, the AFL is pushing forward with what some are calling the most dramatic change in the competition's history.
The new structure will see the finals series kick off with two elimination matches during the pre-finals bye weekend - seventh versus 10th and eighth versus ninth. The winners of these matches will progress to become the seventh and eighth-ranked teams in an otherwise unchanged four-week run to the grand final.
League Boss Defends 'Games of Consequence'
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, now two years into his tenure as league boss, has been forced to defend the radical change against mounting criticism. Despite being labelled a wildcard round, Dillon confirmed these initial matches will count as official finals for both player and team records.
"I don't think it rewards mediocrity, it provides more opportunities and games of consequences," Dillon stated on Monday. The long-time administrator justified the move by predicting "fans coming to the games in record numbers" during the wildcard weekend.
AFL Legends Voice Fierce Opposition
Former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt didn't hold back in his assessment, describing the change as a "knee-jerk" reaction to poor-quality late-season games in 2025. Speaking on Triple M's Mick in the Morning, Riewoldt argued the new system makes it impossible for another fairytale story like the Western Bulldogs' 2016 premiership from seventh position.
"What we have done now is we have guaranteed that we will never see another team finishing seventh win the premiership again like the Western Bulldogs in 2016," Riewoldt declared. "To win it from a wildcard (game) is borderline impossible."
Brendan Fevola was even more scathing in his criticism on The Fox's Fifi, Fev and Nick, labelling the shift "the most drastic change in the history of the AFL." The former Carlton star argued that "if you're not good enough after 24 rounds to finish in the top eight, you're not good enough to win the premiership."
Support Emerges for Controversial Change
Not all voices in the football world are opposed to the new system. Kane Cornes has taken a more measured approach, suggesting critics need to "calm down" about the changes. The Port Adelaide great believes the finals don't officially start until the 'final eight' is set through the wildcard round.
"What's wrong with this? What's the issue?" Cornes questioned on SEN radio. He pointed to potential matchups like Gold Coast versus Sydney and Hawthorn versus Western Bulldogs as "unbelievable game(s) of football" that would benefit from the new structure.
Cornes also highlighted that the revamped system better rewards the top six teams, with fifth and sixth now gaining the benefit of a week off over their first opponents. Dillon confirmed the wildcard games are likely to be played on Friday and Saturday, though the Round 24 fixture could potentially see both matches scheduled for a single Saturday.
The AFL's bold move has clearly divided opinion across the football community, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most debated seasons in recent memory when the new finals system is implemented.
