AFL clubs are preparing for the league’s inaugural “wildcard weekend,” with plans based on a proposed two-night schedule. Several outlets report clubs expect a Bulldogs-Collingwood match to be played on Friday, and Melbourne to play Carlton on Saturday night.
However, outlets note the AFL has not yet officially released the full schedule, leaving clubs to plan on information circulating behind the scenes. The reporting focuses on how clubs are aligning their preparations—such as staffing, travel, and operations—around the anticipated match times and dates while awaiting formal confirmation.
Across the sources, the emphasis is on the same expected fixtures and the same lack of an official timetable. Differences are limited to how each publication frames the “why” behind the delay, but all agree the league is still finalizing or withholding details as clubs move toward the proposed opening round of wildcard match-ups.
