The AFL is reportedly set to introduce a controversial ‘finals wildcard’ round as soon as the 2025 season – but there’s a catch.
Long discussed as a potential addition to the finals series and as a filler for the pre-finals bye round, the round would see eighth play ninth and seventh play tenth, with the winners to progress to the actual finals series and play fifth and sixth respectively in elimination finals.
The proposal has already divided opinion among fans, with many arguing the addition of two new teams into finals calculations would dilute the importance of the home-and-away season, increase the number of unworthy teams participating in September, and all but eliminate the possibility of a team rising from seventh or eighth to claim the premiership, as the Western Bulldogs famously did in 2016.
According to 7 News Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary, though, the AFL is considering an even more controversial component to the wildcard round: selling the fixtures to the highest-bidding city, rather than having them automatically take place at the higher-ranking team’s home ground.
“On Brownlow Medal day this year, the Commission will meet to tick this [wildcard round] off as early as next year,” Cleary reported.
“The twist: those two games could be sold to the highest-bidding city, just like Gather Round, for another AFL revenue stream.”
Speaking to Seven, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon admitted both the wildcard round and selling the two games were distinct possibilities.
“That is one of the alternatives that got discussed with the [AFL] CEOs,” Dillon said.
“Again, it would be part of the consultation with the clubs and venues about the different ways that it might be able to take place.”
Predictably, the revelation has led to an outpouring of scorn from footy fans, with many already against the idea of a wildcard round at all.
Seven’s post to their Melbourne news X account was bombarded with outrage, with Dillon and other AFL executive members branded ‘idiots’ and the league urged to ‘stop with the f–k around’.
However, it wouldn’t be the first time the AFL has leaked a controversial suggestion to the public before winding it back when the official announcement arrives.
It’s a yearly tradition for the league to float the concept of a night or twilight grand final, receive an angry response from fans who want the match to remain at its traditional 2:30pm (AEST) timeslot, and then confirm it will remain as it always was.
St Kilda have quickly moved to downplay list manager Graeme Allen’s meeting with disgraced former North Melbourne player Tarryn Thomas, as rumours mount the Saints could hand him an AFL lifeline.
Thomas was sacked by the Kangaroos earlier this year after a string of allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women were made against him, with the league finding him guilty on several counts.
He has been charged with harassment and a court order breach, and will appear in court on November 21.
The league handed Thomas an 18-week suspension before the start of the 2024 season, prompting the Roos to sack him; he will not be permitted to play at AFL level until his court case finishes, but a determination has not been made on whether he will be eligible to be re-signed by a club in 2025.
According to Nine reporter Tom Morris, the Saints are the frontrunners to be that club, with Allen meeting Thomas for lunch in Lygon Street on Tuesday.
While confirming to Nine that the meeting took place, the Saints downplayed its significance.
“Gubby has a lot of lunches and this was just another one,” a Saints spokesperson said.
The link has nevertheless sparked outrage among Saints fans, with many taking to X to proclaim their support of the club would end should Thomas be signed.
Thomas, who was taken with pick 8 in the 2018 national draft, played 69 games for the Roos between 2019 and 2023, kicking 56 goals.
West Coast veteran Andrew Gaff has announced his AFL retirement, but the Eagles want to get him to the magical 300-match mark before sending him off into the sunset.
Gaff informed his teammates on Wednesday he will not continue his distinguished career into a 15th season.
The 32-year-old has battled a degenerative ankle injury over the past two years, the ailment severely impacting his output.
Gaff has spent most of this year in the WAFL, featuring just three times at AFL level.
The hard-running wingman has notched 278 games for the Eagles since being snared with pick No.4 in the 2010 national draft.
Gaff has also played 18 pre-season games, one game for Victoria and one International Rules game against Ireland.
To be eligible for AFL life membership, a player needs to feature in 300 matches.
West Coast want to get Gaff over the line, confirming he will be selected for Saturday’s AFL clash with North Melbourne in Hobart before having an emotional farewell next week at Optus Stadium against Carlton.
Jack Darling achieved the 300-match feat earlier this season.
“(I want to be remembered as) someone who always gave their absolute all when they were out there,” Gaff said.
“I always walked off the ground pretty tired and pretty sore.
“I prided myself on how hard I worked and how much effort I gave.”
Andrew Gaff will retire at the end of the 2024 season. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Gaff achieved plenty during his career.
He was West Coast’s 2015 club champion, the Eagles’ 2016 player of the finals and a two-time All-Australian (2015, 2018).
But his infamous punch that broke Andrew Brayshaw’s jaw in round, 20, 2018 cost Gaff the chance to feature in West Coast’s premiership that year.
Gaff was desperate to taste the ultimate team success, but it wasn’t to be with West Coast’s fortunes slipping steadily after the grand-final win over Collingwood in 2018.
The veteran wingman, who is the all-time leading disposal winner for West Coast with 7158 possessions, expressed his desire to play on in 2025 earlier this year.
But he would play just one more game – a 19-disposal effort in a loss to North Melbourne – before he was dropped back to the WAFL.
“It hasn’t been the most amazing year, but I’ve learned a lot about myself as a person away from Andrew Gaff the footballer,” Gaff said.
“(I’ve had) a bit of perspective with my little boy arriving into the world mid-year.
“That’s been amazing for me. I’m looking forward to my priorities shifting to dedicating all my time, energy, effort and love into my young family.”
Assuming Gaff makes it through the upcoming games against North Melbourne and Carlton, he will finish on 280 matches for West Coast.
That will place him fourth on the club’s all-time games played list, behind only Shannon Hurn (333), Darling (*295) and Dean Cox (290).
(AAP)
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