In a massive win for the AFL, two of its biggest clubs, and a host of its biggest names will headline the competition's inaugural Wildcard Round.
Collingwood, the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and Melbourne will all be eyeing season-extending victories this weekend, and ahead of those mouthwatering matchups, some of the competition's biggest stars spoke to Zero Hanger on the red carpet of the AFL Awards on Tuesday night.
In profile and physical stature, there are few figures as big as Max Gawn, whose Demons have enjoyed a rise as stellar as it has been unforeseen this season.
The Demons' ever-dependable skipper was mere hours away from being named the competition's only nine-time All-Australian when he spoke to this masthead, revealing the aces up his side's proverbial sleeve ahead of a first finals campaign since 2023's straight-sets exit.
“Kolts” (Koltyn Tholstrup) is starting to get a bit of it (attention), so not him," Gawn joked, instead nominating the retiring swingman and close personal friend Tom McDonald as a difference maker for his side.
Although the night brought with it his coronation as history's most decorated All-Australian, Gawn insisted it was not the time for reflection on the achievement, with his side still a live chance for a second flag this decade.
"I've been involved in a few (awards nights) when we're not in finals, and they seem a bit more of a reflection than the ones when you're still in finals," he said.
"It's not as much reflection. You're still excited about what's coming up. So I'll have that time whenever our last game is, but yeah, not quite yet."
Gawn named a prolific Roo and a host of his rucking colleagues as the biggest omissions from the All-Australian squad, first revealed on Monday.
"It's hard not to get caught up on “Sheezelball”, “Sheezyball”, whatever it's called. He's (Harry Sheezel) a really good player. But there's a lot of good players that are stiff to miss. There's ruckmen galore - Darcy Cameron, Tristan Xerri, Rowan Marshall - that have all been good and then not on the squad. So it's a tough squad to get into."
THAT'S OUR CAPTAIN 🫡 Nine-time All Australian + two-time All Australian captain. #DemonSpirit pic.twitter.com/DAPATMoKP7
— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) August 25, 2026
Marcus Bontempelli's Western Bulldogs spoiled the party of Max Gawn's Demons last time out, with his side's stirring victory over a fancied Melbourne outfit relegating the Demons to the Wildcard Round, and robbing them of the relative safety a top-six berth brings with it.
Bontempelli himself was named an All-Australian for the eighth time, meaning he's a veteran of such nights in the same way Gawn is.
He had a similar answer when asked if the night was to be one of reflection.
"I guess it gives you an opportunity to take a little bit of stock of what's happened at this point," Bontempelli said.
"And obviously it (the Awards night) acknowledges the seasons of many, which have been quite sensational across the year. It's cool to be a part of it again."
Rising Star nominee Cooper Hynes was pivotal in his side's recent vanquishing of the Demons, and Bontempelli has earmarked his buzzcut-sporting teammate as his side's joker in the pack ahead of September.
"One who I think has been growing in his reputation and the work he's been doing across the year is Cooper Hynes," the skipper said.
"A young guy who started a bit as a forward and now has moved to the wing and done some really good stuff across the last few weeks. Hitting the scoreboard, which just shows the ability to get into the right spots. And obviously in a wing position, you've got to work your arse off to get into those spots. So he's here tonight, which is great, good to see him after his nomination earlier in the year. "
"The Bont" also nominated the unheralded players from the other Wildcard sides he'll be keeping a keen eye on as September unfolds.
"We've got Collingwood this week. Who's a wildcard? We've played Collingwood once this year. Some of the younger mids, a fella by the name of Ed Allan, who seems to be growing as well as a midfielder, was pretty good in our game, and we played them previously. So he'll be one to look out for when we play them this week.
"In terms of Melbourne, we just played them freshly. Tommy Sparrow is another guy who has had another great season where he's really consolidated his game and has been quite influential for their midfield group. So he's probably one that, especially in our game just gone, was pretty impressive.
"And the Blues, I sat and watched that one at home when we played them two weeks ago. I thought Harry Dean has probably been getting credit, but he was pretty impressive. And obviously Jagga Smith in his first year. Whether they're wildcards or just guys you take a note of because of their form, they have been pretty impressive."
The 30-year-old insists his body is primed for the tolls of finals football, thanks in no small part to the week off against the Blues.
"No, (feeling) really good," Bontempelli said.
"It gave me a great sort of weekend to freshen up physically, which was sort of the main aim. And then fortunately, timed it well with the birth of my first little one.
"My wife, Neila and (newborn) Daisy are at home resting and relaxing, which was good. I feel good, ready to go for another finals campaign, which hopefully is a good one for us and the Dogs."
8 AA's is crazy. There is literally no stopping this man. pic.twitter.com/qS6kcgOafR
— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) August 25, 2026
In a win for specialist position players, exemplary proponent of the wing role, Ollie Dempsey, was recognised for a special season out wide with his first All-Australian blazer.
It's been a special rise for the rookie-drafted Cat, who was thrilled to be in a room full of the competition's elite.
After losing on the biggest stage last year, however, his focus is firmly fixed on the job that lies ahead.
"I definitely want to look forward and add a cup, but no, sometimes you've got to look back on these things, and it is pretty cool," the youngster told Zero Hanger.
"And to be amongst all those players here is amazing, so I'm pumped, and it's pretty cool honour."
Dempsey, by his own admission, is unlikely to keep across the weekend's Wildcard action, nor would he be drawn on a player to watch from rival sides this post-season, but he joined the chorus of praise that's following an emerging key position teammate in recent times.
"I'm not much of a footy watcher, but I might tune in," he said.
"I'll leave that (scouting dangerous opponents) to all the coaches, and whoever we play, I'm excited. I love a final, so it'll be good fun.
"Maybe not (unheralded) after last week; Connor O'Sullivan got the nod for the squad, and he's a gun. He's a super player, and he will be for many years."
West Australian teenager Sam Swadling has emerged as a key piece of Collingwood's midfield of the future this season, impressing with his composure and foot skills in his debut season.
The young Magpie was in awe of the talent in the room when speaking to Zero Hanger on Tuesday night.
"It's pretty surreal," he said.
"(To be) surrounded by a lot of people that I've looked up to my whole life, to be walking the hallways with a lot of these guys, it's pretty special."
A first finals series awaits the West Perth product, not that it's overwhelming him.
"I'm pumped. I can't wait. They're games I've dreamed of being a part of, growing up as a big AFL fan, so to have at least 80,000, 90,000 at the MCG on Friday night will be huge."
Swadling gave his flatmate his proverbial flowers when asked to nominate an unsung hero from his side ahead of Friday night's encounter with Bontempelli's Bulldogs.
"I reckon Angus Anderson," he said.
"I don't think he's getting near enough the hype he deserves. He's playing out of position a lot - as a big-bodied midfielder, he's playing up forward for us and playing a huge role for the team, kicking a few snags a week, so I think he deserves a lot more attention.
"And then from the Doggies, I think Arty Jones, his back end (of the season) has been pretty huge. A fellow WA boy, so we'll give him the credit."
