"Adelaide Crows" may play in the AFL wild-card playoff game
The Australian club “Adelaide Crows” could qualify for a wild-card playoff game ahead of the final round of the AFL, even if they defeat GWS on Saturday. This scenario is possible if the Brisbane Lions, Hawthorn Hawks, Melbourne Demons, and Geelong Cats avoid defeat in their final regular-season games, according to ABC News Australia.
In that case, the “Crows” would have to face either Carlton or the Western Bulldogs. ABC notes that 12 months ago, such a playoff match did not exist. After the AFL expanded to 18 teams, 15 wins in a season guaranteed a top-6 spot in 11 of 13 full seasons, and only twice resulted in an away elimination game.
Since the mid-season break, Adelaide has won eight of 11 games, but the team’s play has sparked debate among fans regarding coach Matthew Nix’s tactics and roster decisions. The club’s head of soccer, Adam Kelly, previously stated that assessments of the team’s performance are often exaggerated, and that Adelaide has had both important victories and disappointing losses.
Former player Josh Franko, a four-time Showdown medalist, believes that failing to reach the preliminary final would mean a disappointing season for the club. He also expressed doubts about the team’s lineup decisions and its ability to perform under pressure from opponents.
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Roster issues impacted the season. Isaac Rankin suffered a hamstring injury during the preseason and served a suspension, which meant he didn’t start playing in midfield until eight weeks into the season. Captain Jordan Dawson took personal leave following the death of his brother. Riley Tiltorp and Darcy Fogarty had back problems, and Mark Keen did not play until the 15th round due to a broken ankle.
According to ABC, Adelaide ranks last in the league in passing yards and third from the bottom in transitions from the defensive to the offensive 50-meter zone. At the same time, the team improved its clearance differential: from 18th place in the last month of 2025 to seventh in 2026.
The match against GWS will serve as a farewell for “Crows” fans to veteran Taylor Walker, who is retiring. The AFL also announced that wins in wild-card games will count as wins in the finals.
