The AFL's Wildcard Round will be in full force this weekend, with a pair of supercharged Melbourne-based games.
The Western Bulldogs and Collingwood Magpies will lock horns on Friday at the MCG after finishing in 8th and 9th position, followed by Melbourne (7th) hosting Carlton (10th) at the home of football on Saturday.
It will be a massive boost for the AFL and the newly introduced concept, as both clashes are expected to welcome over 80,000 supporters through the gates of the MCG.
But when they do walk through the turnstiles, who should they expect to see on the field?
Here are our predicted ins, outs and lineups for the 2026 AFL Wildcard Round.
Western Bulldogs
Luke Beveridge has multiple tough calls to make ahead of Friday's clash with Collingwood, but some rely on how the week unfolds.
Tim English and Tom Liberatore are fighting tooth and nail to feature in the club's Wildcard Round as they battle injury.
The pair missed the win over Melbourne, and will need the week to determine their availability.
However, Liberatore appears more unlikely as he headed in for surgery on Monday.
A watch will be on key forward Aaron Naughton and his sore ankle. He failed to complete the clash with the Demons, and Beveridge wasn't confident he'd feature against the Pies.
Lachlan Carmichael poses as the most vulnerable after a quieter game on the weekend in the win over the Demons.
FB: Connor Budarick, Buku Khamis, Michael Sellwood
HB: Bailey Dale, James O'Donnell, Rory Lobb
C: Cooper Hynes, Joel Freijah, Bailey Williams
HF: Arthur Jones, Aaron Naughton, Cody Weightman
FF: Ryley Sanders, Ryan Gardner, Rhylee West
FO: Tim English, Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli
I/C: Lachie Bramble, Sam Davidson, Matthew Kennedy, Josh Dolan, Luke Kennedy
Ins: Tim English
Outs: Lachlan Carmichael
Collingwood
The Pies will lose veteran Scott Pendlebury to injury and will miss vice-captain Brayden Maynard as well.
But they should regain premiership duo Isaac Quaynor and Patrick Lipinski for the Bulldogs battle on Friday.
The unlucky one is set to be Harvey Harrison, who, despite returning successfully from an ACL injury this year, has played a hard-running half-forward role, which Lipinski also plays.
It is unlikely Craig McRae will use both in the side, especially given the form of fringe players Sam Swadling and Roan Steele.
Angus Anderson could be vulnerable, but given he's game style is built for finals, he may be used to help combat the Bulldogs' strong midfield mix.
FB: Isaac Quaynor, Jeremy Howe, Billy Frampton
HB: Josh Daicos, Liam Puncher, Dan Houston
C: Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey, Roan Steele
HF: Beau McCreery, Daniel McStay, Will Hayes
FF: Lachie Schultz, Tim Membrey, Charlie West
FO: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Ed Allan
I/C: Steele Sidebottom, Ned Long, Angus Anderson, Sam Swadling, Patrick Lipinski
Ins: Isaac Quaynor, Patrick Lipinski
Outs: Scott Pendlebury, Harvey Harrison
Melbourne
More key position prospects for the Demons are set to miss with Jake Lever succumbing to injury.
A watch will be on Matthew Jefferson this week after he was cleared of structural damage to his knee..
Tom McDonald could return to defence to help fill the void, meaning Max Heath could come in and play as a back-up to Gawn as well as provide a target inside 50, if Jefferson doesn't get up for the game.
Jake Melksham is another option to consider given his strong form in the VFL.
Youngster and 2025 draftees Xavier Taylor and Latrelle Pickett will also be in the frame for a recall.
FB: Jake Bowey, Tom McDonald, Christian Salem
HB: Trent Rivers, Daniel Turner, Changkuoth Jiath
C: Harry Sharp, Tom Sparrow, Harvey Langford
HF: Kysaiah Pickett, Harrison Petty, Ed Langdon
FF: Jake Melksham, Bayley Fritsch, Kade Chandler
FO: Max Gawn, Jack Steele, Caleb Windsor
I/C: Koltyn Tholstrup, Joel Fitzgerald, Xavier Lindsay, Bailey Laurie, Max Heath
Ins: Jake Melksham
Outs: Jake Lever
Carlton
The Blues are flying and shouldn't fix what isn't broken. However, experienced duo Will Hayward and Nick Haynes should return from injury to bolster the senior side for the clash against Melbourne.
Hayward and Haynes missed the win over Fremantle through ankle injuries, and will need the week to prove their fitness.
If they pass all required tests, expect Josh Fraser to recall them at the expense of Oliver Hollands and one of Lewis Young or Wade Derksen.
Derksen is tipped to get the nod ahead of Young, which was reflected in last week's team selection. Young came in for the injured Haynes against the Dockers.
The same can be said for Hayward and Hollands.
FB: Harry Dean, Jacob Weitering, Nick Haynes
HB: Blake Acres, Mitch McGovern, Oliver Florent
C: Adam Cerra, Patrick Cripps, Billy Wilson
HF: Ben Ainsworth, Brodie Kemp, Matthew Cottrell
FF: Talor Byrne, Harry McKay, Cooper Lord
FO: Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh, Jagga Smith
I/C: George Hewett, Francis Evans, Wade Derksen, Will Hayward, Lachlan Cowan
Ins: Nick Haynes and Will Hayward
Outs: Lewis Young, Oliver Hollands
