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 22
Western Bulldogs (8th) vs North Melbourne (11th), Marvel Stadium
Predicting certain results, this clash will be an intriguing watch under the roof.
The Bulldogs are a much better side, but North Melbourne, if they are to be taken seriously, need to win these clashes.
GWS (13th) vs Gold Coast (14th), Manuka Oval
The expansion cup between the AFL's two youngest sides meet late in the year, and could play for more than just bragging rights.
St Kilda (12th) vs Carlton (10th), Marvel Stadium
Another eight-point game.
