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 21

Collingwood (9th) vs Geelong (7th), MCG

Rarely a one-sided affair between these modern-day foes.

Geelong is deemed a lock for finals, but they sit a game ahead of North Melbourne in 11th.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bailey Smith of the Cats handballs whilst being tackled during the round eight AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Bailey Smith of the Cats handballs whilst being tackled during the round eight AFL match between Collingwood Magpies and Geelong Cats at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 03, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Port Adelaide (15th) vs GWS Giants (13th), Adelaide Oval

Despite their current ladder standings, the winner of this could push closer towards the Wildcard Round.

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