Geelong’s coach, Chris Scott, has voiced his disapproval of the AFL’s recent decision to introduce a wildcard round in the finals series, which is set to begin in 2026. The format allows the seventh-placed team to compete against the tenth and the eighth against the ninth, aiming for the final spots in the top eight. This change has sparked controversy, especially as the AFL describes these matches as genuine finals rather than play-in games.
Scott expressed his criticism, suggesting that the motivation behind this move is mainly financial, labelling it a “cash grab” by the league. He candidly shared his thoughts on Fox Footy after a narrow loss to Hawthorn, admitting that he might have overstepped by sharing such blunt opinions so close to the game’s outcome. Scott remarked, “They just made it up… just threw in another couple of finals for no good reason except cash, probably,” as he juggled laughter with criticism, aware of the potential repercussions for his comments.
Currently, Geelong is positioned outside the top ten, having recorded two wins and two losses in their first four matches. Their most recent game, an Easter Monday showdown against the Hawks, ended in a heartbreaking point loss, further complicating their finals aspirations.
Former North Melbourne star, David King, also aligned himself with Scott’s viewpoint, dismissing the wildcard round as “nonsense.” He argued that it rewards teams who have underperformed during the regular season and highlighted that a team with just ten wins in a season could be favoured under this system. King emphasised the importance of having a meaningful impact in finals, stating, “I’d retire immediately if ninth or tenth wins the flag. Teams that have failed seasons and they’re going to go on and win the flag? That’s rubbish.”
As the season progresses and the wildcard games draw nearer, early predictions suggest that if the new structure were in place now, Melbourne would host Collingwood while Port Adelaide would take on Brisbane for those wildcard matches. Last year, this format would have seen Gold Coast face Sydney and Hawthorn play against the Western Bulldogs, demonstrating how this new system significantly alters the landscape of the finals structure.
The overall sentiment among critics like Scott and King reflects a widespread concern that the AFL’s focus may have shifted towards commercial gain, rather than preserving the integrity and competitive spirit of the finals series.