The initially maligned Wildcard Round has all of a sudden gathered tremendous interest as the AFL enters the final stretch of the 2026 season.
Increasing post-season games from a top eight to top 10 had plenty of detractors, but to the AFL's credit, it has kept more teams alive in the season, going down to Port Adelaide in 15th position.
Every week, there's many consequential games, like Gold Coast and Collingwood, with the winner, being the latter on Saturday, entrenching themselves firmly inside the Wildcard Round placings (7th to 10th). As for the Suns, they slipped to 14th.
It begs the question, of the 63 games remaining in the season, which will have the greatest impact?
Going through the final seven weeks of the fixture, 17 matches have been donned the proverbial 'eight-point' game, exciting the AFL for what is to come.
Round 19
Collingwood (9th) vs Carlton (10th), MCG
The Pies and Blues encounters never disappoint, especially when there's more on the line to play for.
Everyone remembers Round 23 in 2022 when Collingwood stormed home to claim a one-point victory over the arch rival, only to knock them out the top eight.
North Melbourne (11th) vs Melbourne (6th), Marvel Stadium
The Kangaroos are an intriguing watch while the Demons currently sit above the Wildcard Round slots.
A scalp Alastair Clarkson needs if he and his team are to realise their September ambitions.
Gold Coast (14th) vs Western Bulldogs (8th), People First Stadium
The Suns need to win and continue winning, but it doesn't get any easier.
The Bulldogs are a much better side than their win-loss record suggests, but if they don't knock off teams vying the same position as them, they could enjoy an extended holiday break.
