The AFL's first-ever 10-team Finals series has taken shape, and while every finalist remains in the hunt for the Premiership, the roads to get to the last Saturday in September are far from equal.
Only three sides have ever won the Premiership after finishing the home and away season outside of the top four. Brisbane from fifth in 2024, Western Bulldogs from seventh in 2016 and Adelaide from fifth in 1998, meaning for the teams facing off in the Wildcard, a history-defining effort will have to be made.
For some clubs, September begins with a double chance and a week off, while for others, one game can decide their fate.
As the inaugural Wildcard round kicks off, here is how every contender's Premiership path shapes up, and which clubs have the clearest route to the Grand Final.
Western Bulldogs
Path Rating: 4.5/10
The Dogs enter the Wildcard round in one of the most intriguing positions out of everyone in the top 10.
After defeating Melbourne in a fantastic win in the last round of the year and finishing eighth, they now host Collingwood in a blockbuster first-ever Friday night Wildcard Final game at the MCG.
The Bulldogs did beat the Pies earlier in the season by four points thanks to a game-saving Michael Sellwood mark, but their form leading into the Wildcard has been questionable.
They've won four out of their last seven games, including a draw with Carlton, but a loss to North Melbourne damaged their image as a genuine contender.
Injuries to key players haven't helped their cause, but the potential of Tim English and Aaron Naughton being back will give them a huge boost for a hopeful deep finals series.
