AFL confirms wildcard round match schedule
The Australian Football League (AFL) has confirmed the dates and times for two matches in the new wildcard round of the finals series. The elimination games will take place on August 28 and 29 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
Match schedule
On Friday, August 28, eighth-placed Western Bulldogs will play ninth-placed Collingwood. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:40 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time.
The second match will take place on Saturday, August 29, with seventh-placed Melbourne facing Carlton, who finished 10th. The game starts at 7:35 p.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time. Both matches will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ABC News reports.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Next opponents
If Melbourne win, they will travel to Adelaide, while the winner of the Western Bulldogs-Collingwood match will play away against Geelong. If Carlton win, the team will travel to face Geelong, while the winner of Friday's game will play away against Adelaide.
Carlton enter the wildcard round on a five-match unbeaten run, including a convincing victory over ladder leaders Fremantle in Round 24. Since Josh Fraser took charge of the team in May, the club have recorded 11 wins and one draw in 14 matches.
Before the match against Melbourne, Carlton are awaiting the return of Will Hayward and Nick Haynes from ankle injuries. Melbourne are monitoring the condition of Matt Jefferson and Dan Turner, who have knee issues. Western Bulldogs could be without Aaron Naughton because of an ankle injury, while Collingwood have lost Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard to knee problems.
