Western Bulldogs face Collingwood in AFL wildcard final at MCG
The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 8:40 AM
Last updated Aug 28, 2026

The Western Bulldogs and Collingwood Magpies are currently competing in an AFL wildcard final at the MCG, starting at 7:40 PM AEST. This match is notable as it marks the AFL's inaugural wildcard final. The Bulldogs enter the contest after a mixed season, but they carry momentum from an impressive recent win against the Demons. The winner will advance to an elimination final against either Adelaide or Geelong next week.
- •Match is ongoing at the MCG
- •Start time: 7:40 PM AEST
- •Bulldogs aim to build on recent victory over the Demons
- •Winner faces Adelaide or Geelong next week
- •Loser will reflect on a difficult season
- 8:40 AMThe Guardian Sport — Western Bulldogs v Collingwood Magpies: AFL wildcard final – live
"Updates from the first wildcard round game at the MCG Start time in Melbourne is 7.40pm AEST Sign up for our AFL newsletter | Any thoughts? Send an email Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL’s first ever wildcard final. The expansion of the finals series has brought Western Bulldogs and Collingwood together for a winner-takes-all contest with some of the very best and most in-form players in the game hoping to continue their seasons for at least one more week. The winner of this wildcard final will face either Adelaide or Geelong in an elimination final next week. The loser will be left to ponder where their season went wrong. The Bulldogs have had a typically rollercoaster season under coach Luke Beveridge and only stumbled into the wildcard round without the promise of doing much damage when losing back-to-back games against the Dockers and Kangaroos. But a draw with the red-hot Blues and an impressive victory against the Demons in the last round have left the Dogs carrying better form into this knockout final. Sign up for our free weekly AFL newsletter – From the Pocket Continue reading...
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