[REVISION HISTORY]

AFL wildcard round and finals matchups

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2026-08-29 02:55 UTC → 2026-09-01 15:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The AFL has moved into the wildcard finals stage following the regular season. Carlton enters the postseason after a 37-point victory over Fremantle, while the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood were set to clash in a high-stakes matchup. In the inaugural wildcard final held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before a crowd of 81,036, the Western Bulldogs secured a narrow three-point victory over the Collingwood Magpies, winning 96 to 93. The match was decided in the final seconds after Collingwood forward Tim Membrey missed a 45-metre set shot following the siren. While Bontempelli and Daicos were central to the contest, Collingwood’s Sam Swadling also recorded 32 disposals, and Bulldogs midfielder Ed Richards recorded 25 possessions. Former local player Sam Davidson contributed to the Bulldogs' success by scoring his eighth goal of the season. The Bulldogs’ win marks their first elimination game victory at the MCG since 2016, though they will face their next elimination final without midfielder Matthew Kennedy due to concussion. Richards noted his earlier skepticism regarding the new wildcard format, jokingly referring to the match as “Round 26” following an exchange with AFL CEO Andrew Dillon. For Collingwood, the loss marks the end of the season for veteran Steele Sidebottom, who has retired, and leaves uncertainty regarding the future of Scott Pendlebury. However, coach Craig McRae noted the club remains in a position to pursue off-season recruits due to a healthy salary cap balance. Amid the match tension, police evicted four men from the MCG for riotous behavior following reports of crowd fighting. The individuals, aged 21, 22, 24, and 39, were issued penalty notices after Collingwood fans were involved in arguing, shoving, and attempting to punch one another near the boundary and seating sections. ~~Earlier in~~ For Collingwood, the ~~finals race, Melbourne Demons coach Steven King had been evaluating selection options~~ loss marks the end of the season for ~~their wildcard match against Carlton.~~ veteran Steele Sidebottom, who has retired. Additionally, Scott Pendlebury is set to depart the club to join the Gold Coast Suns next season. Coach Craig McRae noted the club remains in a position to pursue off-season recruits due to a healthy salary cap balance.

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