the Australian indy wrestling to Australian Survivor pipeline continues

Extra finals appearances if 9th/10th had always qualified since AFL went to 18 teams 4 - PA, STK 3 - WB 2 - ADE, CAR, MEL, NM, WC 1 - COL, ESS*, FRE, GEE, GWS, HAW, SYD Ken Hinkley would have made finals in 11 of 12 seasons between 2013-24, missing by one place once (in 2022).

Here's a free stat for Andrew Dillon to use to defend "wildcard" round. The NRL had one season with a 10-team finals system - in 1998, after the Super League war. The Grand Final was 1st vs 9th!

I can confirm the AFL will re-seed teams after the wildcard round. The highest-ranked winner will become 7th, and the lowest-ranked winner will become 8th. Fox Footy

With Opening Round and now the not-at-all-wildcard-wildcard finals, I’m starting to think the AFL’s biggest problem is actually just naming things

I see no reason by 2028, for Tasmania’s entry, we shouldn’t have a 24-game season (since we can’t do 23 games with 19 teams) with a proper 10-team finals (basically a McIntyre Final 10).

The Socceroos’ results against Venezuela and Colombia over the next few days are likely to determine whether they make Pot 2 for the World Cup draw or not. Win the first & at least draw the latter, and they’re a chance of getting an easier group.

Can’t see them avoiding Pot 3 for the World Cup draw now. France and Denmark again here we come…