We have now passed the halfway point of the 2026 AFL season, and as the ladder takes shape, there is a heated race for the wildcard spots.
In the first season of the expanded top 10, wins and losses have never become more crucial.
As it stands, 16 clubs are still vying for post-season participation, with the Eagles, in 16th, only two games from 10th.
Speaking on the Six Points AFL podcast, Mark Stevens is all in on the AFL's new finals format.
“With the wildcard round, I was for it because it gives everyone hope. A lot of people are cynical, I think those people might be coming around now," Stevens said.
"If you're a St Kilda supporter without a wildcard, you're cooked at 5-8, you need to probably win another eight games to get yourself in, eight of the last 10, now you probably still need six or seven, but it gives you a chance.
“I've done my sums, I think you still need 11 (wins) with a good percentage, or 12 to get into the wildcard.
"But even Carlton supporters have got hope, so I'm actually a supporter of the wildcard even though it's novelty.
"But if you don't finish top six, you're finished, but it gives you hope to at least have some finals action and celebrate a wildcard."
Daniel Harford isn't sold on the Wildcard Round and has concerns about its long-term future.
“I'm one of those in the camp that's not a massive fan of wildcard action. I think the final eight was a nice system; it just seemed to work pretty well. This is purely a cash grab, and that's alright," Harford said.
“It was on the back of last year, where there was a two-tiered competition, effectively, it was a top sort of seven, and then the rest of the competition, there was a big gap in between.
"So that was the problem last year, that's why the conversation really heated up about the wildcard, why would you give the chance to teams that are sitting, you know, nine to ten wins, give them a chance to play in a 'post-season game', didn't make any sense.
"I'm still sort of in that ring, so we will see how it goes, but at the moment, there is some excitement coming.”
