Much like Izak Rankine, we’ve saved the best for last here on The Huddle, with a cracking weekend on the tip last week for Round 25.
We landed 7/9 best bets with special shoutouts for Gold Coast in the dead rubber v the Saints, Josh Treacy before going off the ground, Zach Merrett in his last game as a Don and Cal Mills in an emotion-charged SCG clash with the Roos.
Onto the first ever AFL Wildcard Weekend. We love knockout footy and we cannot wait to watch these two matchups this weekend.
For the latest team news, analysis and expert insights, check out our expert AFL tips and predictions for Wildcard Round below.
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood Magpies
Friday, August 28, 7:40pm AEST – MCG, Melbourne
I'll bypass the joke that is Collingwood hosting the Western Bulldogs at The MCG despite the Dogs being the higher-ranked team AND having to face these Pies off one less day of rest.
That being said, this looks a real thriller with hardly anything splitting these two.
We know the Dogs are next to no chance of sending anyone to Nick Daicos BUT keep in mind Ryley Sanders did spend some time running with opposition midfielders so do not be surprised to see Sanders attempt to quell the little champion who has all but won the Brownlow in 2026.
Marcus Bontempelli was well held by Ed Allan and that looks an obvious clash but we know The Bont has the ability to creep forward and still impact the game. Ed Richards has been totally airborne in his last few, which will give Craig McRae some thought to sending his tagger in that direction.
Billy Frampton vs Aaron Naughton will determine plenty whilst I expect guys like Jordan De Goey and Beau McCreery to make their presence felt for the Pies.
In the ruck, Darcy Cameron looms as a match-winner so Rory Lobb (unless Tim English recovers in time) will need to effectively tag the Magpie big man who takes so many intercept marks and makes his presence felt at so many stoppages.
The coaching clash will be a fascination, too. McRae is a genuinely different operator in regards to his ways and Luke Beveridge is never afraid to show emotion and tap into emotion when preparing his men.
Head-to-head prediction: Collingwood Magpies by 3 points.
Betting tip: Lachie Schultz 2+ goals ($3.10).
Melbourne Demons vs Carlton Blues
Saturday, August 29, 7:35pm AEST – MCG, Melbourne
The last time we saw these two collided in September was a 2023 semi for the ages.
The Demons kicked 9.17 and blew a golden chance during their supposed golden era as Blake Acres kicked the sealer for Carlton with seconds remaining. Three years later, revenge may no longer be on the mind – but fans will not have forgotten so quickly.
Carlton arrive here as the most in-form team in the game since Josh Fraser took over as interim coach, earning the role in a full-time capacity in recent weeks. Their win over the Dockers last weekend was the exclamation point on a season of two halves.
These Blues genuinely have the momentum to shock the world and make a fairytale run through the finals in 2026
The Dees have been strong too but look to be faltering at the wrong time of year, failing to overcome a determined Dogs side last week.
They lost Jake Lever to injury, adding to the absence already felt with Jacob van Rooyen being suspended. Two big vacancies at the worst possible time.
Steven King often depends on his own midfield group instead of worrying about tagging, but I get the feeling they'll try to restrict either Patrick Cripps or Sammy Walsh. They could deploy Rivers, Sparrow or Tholstrup in that role.
And conversely, Cooper Lord has played a few run-with roles in recent weeks and physically he looks a reasonable match-up with Demon superstar Kysaiah Pickett.
You get the feeling if Lord, or someone else in navy Blue can keep Pickett quiet then the Blues will be winning.
Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues by 14 points.
Betting tip: Carlton -5.5 points.
Odds are subject to change*
Wildcard Weekend Multi Betting Tips
Two games, two knockout finals, one multi. It's the only weekend of the season where the entire slate fits on a single ticket, so we may as well take advantage of it.
Both of our headline calls point the same way, tight. We've got the Pies edging a close one on Friday night and the Blues by a couple of goals on Saturday, so the 1-39 margin bands look the sensible way to squeeze value out of two games that shape as arm wrestles.
From there we've leaned into reliability with some star player picks. Daicos will get his regardless of who the Dogs throw at him and The Bont has made a career out of drifting forward in big games to keep
The Under caps it off. Melbourne are missing two key bodies, Carlton have built their run under Josh Fraser on control rather than chaos, and knockout finals rarely turn into shootouts.
Also, for good measure, each of the last nine matches between Melbourne and Carlton have gone UNDER the total match points line.
*Odds are subject to change.
How Does AFL Wildcard Weekend Work?
The finals bracket has been stretched to 10 teams in 2026, and the four clubs who finished seventh through 10th have to earn their spot in the eight the hard way.
That means two knockout games, both at the MCG, both season-enders for the loser.
Melbourne (seventh) host Carlton (10th), while the Western Bulldogs (eighth) host Collingwood (ninth). Win and you're through to an elimination final. Lose and your 2026 campaign is finished on the spot.
There's a twist in where the winners land, too. The higher-ranked winner travels to Adelaide Oval to face the Crows, who finished sixth. The lower-ranked winner heads down the highway to take on fifth-placed Geelong.
So, there's more on the line than simple survival; finish the weekend as the higher-ranked survivor and you get the Crows, finish lower and you get the Cats at Kardinia.
Both matches are live nationally on Channel 7 and Fox Footy, with streaming via 7plus, Kayo and Binge.
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