First wildcard casualty?

[Roobs321]

In 2000 5th Geelong lost to 8th Hawthorn, whereas in 1999 they would’ve played 4th instead and almost certainly lived to see another week (which worked out for the Blues that year, and Crows the year before). Geelong would miss finals the following three seasons.

Now with the top ten wildcard round, which pretender making up the numbers in 7-8th would you most like to see undone by the finals system change and pioneer ‘missing the 8’ by getting bungled out into ninthmond? Who can least afford it and would melt the most? Which media commentator advocating for wildcard would you most like to see with egg on their face when their team exits prematurely?

 

[ioppolo]

St Kilda topping up their list, finishing in bottom part of the eight only to be bested by 9th/10th would be quite amusing.

I don't think any other teams fan base would be hugely upset, not melting levels anyway. Maybe Fremantle's?

 

[Roobs321]

St Kilda topping up their list, finishing in bottom part of the eight only to be bested by 9th/10th would be quite amusing.

I don't think any other teams fan base would be hugely upset, not melting levels anyway. Maybe Fremantle's?

I like those options.

Carlton lucked out in 2013 from Essendon’s relegation (and then made the semis), could see them play the spoiler once again.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Dogs are capable of putting in a shit day with their general inconsistence the last few seasons. First it was beating good teams then losing to bottom ones two seasons ago and last year was belting bottom sides and losing to good ones. Haven't gone past week one in awhile.

So a candidate depending where they fall.

 

[thistimeforsure]

Obvs the first casualty of the ‘ wildcard ‘ game is whatever minute shred of respectability the game had left

 

[Hamingja]

Geelong, Bulldogs and St Kilda would probably be the most likely just because they could have a home ground disadvantage against a team that finished 9th or 10th.

It would have to be a really poor effort for an interstate team to get rolled by 9th or 10th in a home final.

 

[Roobs321]

Dogs are capable of putting in a shit day with their general inconsistence the last few seasons. First it was beating good teams then losing to bottom ones two seasons ago and last year was belting bottom sides and losing to good ones. Haven't gone past week one in awhile.

So a candidate depending where they fall.

would’ve made the 2016 flag a lot harder too. No (then new) pre-finals bye (when the dogs needed it), they’d host 10th Port and have to win 5 instead of 4 with no respite.

 

[Dazb86]

would’ve made the 2016 flag a lot harder too. No (then new) pre-finals bye (when the dogs needed it), they’d host 10th Port and have to win 5 instead of 4 with no respite.

2016 didn't really need any more difficulty.

Won it from 7th and never played at our home ground.

 

[Roobs321]

2016 didn't really need any more difficulty.

Won it from 7th and never played at our home ground.

exactly, was an impossible feat to begin with, let alone wildcard in the mix. Whether it would factor little or greatly in that already remarkable run is up for debate.

 

[Billy ray]

 

[Dazzler9]

I like those options.

Carlton lucked out in 2013 from Essendon’s relegation (and then made the semis), could see them play the spoiler once again.

The best part about that was Carlton finising 9th and beating Richmond who had just re-entered finals after years of constantly missing out by finishing 9th. Could not have scripted it any better for maximal comedic effect.

 

[boncer34]

Essendon

 

[Roobs321]

View attachment 2520799

in that case the Pies are safe then (the fall off a cliff oracles may be right)

 

[theprospector]

The top 10 has genuinely ruined the build up to this season for me. No stakes anymore, pretty much anyone half decent will make it. Go through the ladders and look at who finishes 11th and 12th (teams now just outside of finals).

They are usually absolute rabbles.

 

[Corn Cobbers]

The top 10 has genuinely ruined the build up to this season for me. No stakes anymore, pretty much anyone half decent will make it. Go through the ladders and look at who finishes 11th and 12th (teams now just outside of finals).

They are usually absolute rabbles.

Yeah but 7th-10th have zero hope, so effectively they've made it a top 6

I'm starting to appreciate it, it's actually more elite

 

[RUNVS]

The top 10 has genuinely ruined the build up to this season for me. No stakes anymore, pretty much anyone half decent will make it. Go through the ladders and look at who finishes 11th and 12th (teams now just outside of finals).

They are usually absolute rabbles.

Yes it is completely dumb. Top 10 works maybe if there are 20 teams, but even then I think top 8 is better as it is more exclusive and a team has to be genuinely good to make it.

 

[deck]

I would love to see 10th knock off 7th after resting half there team in the last round because they could go higher or drop lower. All while 7th was still playing for a top 4 spot going into the last round.

 

[parano1a]

Top 10 works maybe if there are 20 teams

There will be 19 in 2028, probably 20 in 2032.

 

[boncer34]

The top 10 has genuinely ruined the build up to this season for me. No stakes anymore, pretty much anyone half decent will make it. Go through the ladders and look at who finishes 11th and 12th (teams now just outside of finals).

They are usually absolute rabbles.

So they wont go deep. Big deal.

 

[JHF1870]

Imagine AFL explaining 7th and 8th winning, then losing the next week essentially making the wildcard weekend pointless.

 

[GoldbergsGold]

Yes it is completely dumb. Top 10 works maybe if there are 20 teams, but even then I think top 8 is better as it is more exclusive and a team has to be genuinely good to make it.

Would have preferred a final 9 series in 4 weeks over this "wild card" nonsense.

 

[Billy ray]

Imagine AFL explaining 7th and 8th winning, then losing the next week essentially making the wildcard weekend pointless.

 

[Roobs321]

Wild Card (2015)

from the director of The Expendables 2...

 

[emuboy]

The Fremantle Dockers, finish 7th but from the opening bounce never get into their home wildcard final against 10th and are soundly beaten.

 

[JHF1870]

Yeah but 7th-10th have zero hope, so effectively they've made it a top 6

I'm starting to appreciate it, it's actually more elite

Yes and No

But it depends on the finals finishing position. In terms of my predictinons in 2026 it won't be overly favourable to the Victorian teams.

1. Brisbane
2. Adelaide
3. Sydney
4. Gold Coast
5. St Kilda
6. Collingwood

7. Hawthorn
8. Fremantle
9. Geelong
10. Essendon