AFL 2026 wildcard final between Western Bulldogs and Collingwood at MCG
Consensus Summary
The AFL's first ever wildcard match between Western Bulldogs and Collingwood took place on August 28, 2026, at the MCG, marking a new era in the league's finals system. The match was highly competitive, with both teams finishing eighth and ninth on the ladder, respectively, and the winner securing a spot in the finals proper. Key players like Nick Daicos and Sam Swadling from Collingwood, and Bailey Dale and Ed Richards from the Bulldogs, played pivotal roles, with Daicos scoring a goal after a review confirmed his mark. The Bulldogs dominated inside 50 disposals with a 14-12 advantage, while Collingwood led in overall possession with 113-84 disposals. The match included dramatic moments such as a 60m kick by Bailey Dale resulting in a goal, and a 50m penalty awarded to the Bulldogs. The wildcard match was treated with the same ceremonial respect as traditional finals, including a Welcome to Country and national anthem, underscoring its significance in the 2026 AFL season.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Western Bulldogs and Collingwood are playing the AFL's first ever wildcard match on August 28, 2026, at the MCG.
- Collingwood finished eighth and Western Bulldogs finished ninth on the AFL ladder, qualifying for the wildcard match.
- The match score at one point was Western Bulldogs 4.1.25 – Collingwood 4.0.24.
- Sam Swadling (Collingwood) had 12 disposals, Nick Daicos (Collingwood) had 11 disposals, and Patrick Lipinski (Collingwood) had 10 disposals.
- Dan McStay (Collingwood) scored 2 goals.
- Ed Richards (Western Bulldogs) led the Dogs with 9 disposals.
- The match included a 50m penalty awarded to Western Bulldogs.
- The wildcard match is part of the 2026 AFL season.
- The teams played with the following key players: Michael Sellwood (37), Buku Khamis (24), Bailey Williams (34) for Collingwood; Bailey Dale (31), Cody Weightman (3), Aaron Naughton (33) for Western Bulldogs.
- The match featured a 60m kick by Bailey Dale (Western Bulldogs) and a 40m kick out.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The first quarter saw a score of Western Bulldogs 0.0.0 – Collingwood 0.0.0 at 18 and 19 minutes remaining.
- The Bulldogs won the first centre clearance with a score of Western Bulldogs 0.0.0 – Collingwood 0.0.0 at 19 minutes remaining.
- The match included a 60m kick by Bailey Dale, which resulted in a goal.
- The Bulldogs had a rotating cast including Matthew Kennedy, who scored a goal.
- The match included a 50m penalty awarded to Western Bulldogs for Ed Richards overstepping the mark.
- The Bulldogs won the ball out of the middle with Richards’ hurried kick ending up in Aaron Naughton’s hands.
- The Bulldogs had a 14-12 advantage in inside 50s disposals.
- Collingwood dominated possession with 113-84 disposals, including 60-36 handballs.
- The match included a 37 Michael Sellwood, 24 Buku Khamis, 34 Bailey Williams, 29 Lachlan Bramble, 18 James O’Donnell, 31 Bailey Dale, 9 Ryley Sanders, 27 Joel Freijah, 6 Cooper Hynes, 3 Cody Weightman, 33 Aaron Naughton, 32 Arthur Jones for Western Bulldogs.
- The match included a 17 Billy Frampton, 38 Jeremy Howe, 3 Isaac Quaynor, 9 Dan Houston, 7 Josh Daicos, 32 Sam Swadling, 22 Steele Sidebottom, 35 Nick Daicos, 25 Jack Crisp, 31 Beau McCreery, 1 Patrick Lipinski, 39 Will Hayes, 28 Tim Membrey, 8 Lachie Schultz, 29 Charlie West, 14 Darcy Cameron, 44 Ned Long, 2 Jordan De Goey, 11 Daniel McStay, 16 Ed Allan, 36 Harvey Harrison, 41 Angus Anderson, 45 Roan Steele for Collingwood.
- The match was described as sudden death, with a spot in the finals proper up for grabs.
- The match included a goal from Nick Daicos after a review confirmed the mark was fair.
- The Bulldogs extended the lead to seven points from 15 metres out.
- The match included a goal from Charlie West after a loose ball dribbled to the top of the goalsquare.
- The Bulldogs' first foray forward resulted in a goal for Collingwood with Daicos, Swadling, and Schultz involved.
- Joel Freijah tackled Nick Daicos over the boundary line, leading to a brief confrontation.
- The match included a full Welcome to Country and rendition of the national anthem before the bounce.
- The wildcard match is the first of its kind in the AFL, with the winner advancing to the finals series proper.
- The Bulldogs recalled Tim English for this match, with Lachlan Carmichael making way.
- Collingwood made changes with Isaac Quaynor and Pat Lipinski coming in for Scott Pendlebury and Liam Puncher.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian states the first quarter score was Western Bulldogs 4.1.25 – Collingwood 4.0.24 at 1 minute remaining, while the ABC does not specify the exact score at that time but mentions a one-point game later in the quarter.
- The Guardian mentions a 60m kick by Bailey Dale resulting in a goal, while the ABC describes a 65m kick by Bailey Dale leading to a goal.
- The Guardian lists the Bulldogs' first goal as scored by Bailey Dale, while the ABC does not specify the scorer of the Bulldogs' first goal in the first quarter.
- The Guardian mentions a 50m penalty awarded to Western Bulldogs for Ed Richards overstepping the mark, while the ABC does not mention this specific penalty.
Source Articles
Western Bulldogs v Collingwood Magpies: AFL wildcard final – live
Updates from the first wildcard round game at the MCG Sign up for our AFL newsletter | Send an email Q1: 18 mins remaining: Western Bulldogs 0.0.0 – Collingwood 0.0.0 The Bulldogs turn the ball over trying to exit their defensive 50. Billy Frampton finds Nick Daicos alone on the wing, Sam Swadling drifts by for a handball and the ball ends up in Dan McStay’s mitts for a first shot at goal. Continue reading...
Live: Bulldogs and Magpies meet at MCG for AFL's first ever wildcard match
It's sudden death for the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood in the AFL's first ever wildcard match, with a spot in the finals proper up for grabs at the MCG. Follow live.
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