With the league expanding to a 19th team by 2028 (introduction of Tasmania), so should the scope for clubs in the finals.
Well, that's what was discussed at the 18-club CEO meeting in Perth during the week (among other things).
The initial top-eight system was brought in in 1994 when the competition hosted 16 teams.
And yet, with Gold Coast and GWS joining in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and with the Devils and potentially a 20th club entering the league, the scope has grown and with that, a finals boost that is "very much on", according to Herald Sun's Jon Ralph.
Call it the "wildcard weekend" of finals, where teams that finish 9th and 10th will be in contention for the ultimate glory as opposed to starting their holidays earlier.
It is understood that if a weekend of such nature were to be introduced, it would feature in the pre-finals bye.
โIt's closer than it's ever been,โ Ralph explained on Fox Footy's Midweek Tackle.
โLast year at Werribee Mansion they threw it up, slapped away by the AFL's club executives.
โThis time though at the conference over at Crown (Perth), it got a really warm reception. I think the AFL was pushing this one hard - they'll do a little bit more research on it.
โIt's not a certainty to come in, but I would think by 2028, we'll have whether it's an 8 vs 9 (game), or 7 vs 10 and 8 vs 9 (round).
โThat would be across the (bye) weekend normally where the AFLW season kicks off, but in coming years the AFLW season will be longer, it'll start earlier.
โI think this is very much on.โ
Proposed AFL Finals "Wildcard Weekend"
GWS (7th) vs Western Bulldogs (10th) at ENGIE Stadium
Melbourne (8th) vs Port Adelaide (9th) at the MCG
Played the week after Round 24/In pre-finals bye
Regular/First week of AFL Finals
Sydney Swans (1st) vs Brisbane Lions (4th) at the SCG
Fremantle (5th) vs Melbourne/Port winner (OR lowest-ranked winner) at Optus Stadium
Essendon (6th) vs GWS/Bulldogs winner (OR highest-ranked winner) at the MCG
Carlton (2nd) vs Geelong (3rd) at the MCG
*All fixtures are based on current ladder positions heading into Round 19.
The VFL introduced such a concept ahead of the 2023 season when the Victorian competition combined with the NEAFL, resulting in 21 clubs featuring in the league and ultimately the decision to expand the finals.
The notion comes from American sports where divisional winners advance into the playoffs and then the next-best teams, regardless of division, qualify as wildcards.
