The AFL has today confirmed the fixture for the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Wildcard Finals with Sydney Swans to host Frankston at Blacktown International Sports Park this Saturday, August 22.

Following a 27-point defeat to Essendon in Round 21, the final game of the regular home and away season, the red and white side will still progress to the finals after finishing the regular season in seventh position, with 10 wins, seven losses and a draw.

A tight contest for the majority of the game, VFL senior coach Nick Malceski would have been pleased with his side before the Bombers pulled away late in the fourth quarter. 

Jedd Longmire finished with three goals, Jevan Phillipou two while Kaden Harbour had two late consolation majors. 

Goals were also shared between Angus Sheldrick, Tom Ryan, Malcolm Rosas Jnr, Charlie Peters, Mitch Mellis, Hayden McLean, Tom Hanily and Caiden Cleary while Cleary (30 disposals and a whopping 16 tackles), Corey Warner (28), Sheldrick (27) and Jake Sutton saw plenty of the footy for the red and white.

Saturday, August 22
First Wildcard Final: Sydney Swans (7th) vs Frankston (10th)
Blacktown International Sports Park,11:05am AEST
Broadcaster: AFL.com.au

Second Wildcard Final: Williamstown (8th) vs Carlton (9th)
DSV Stadium, 11:05am AEST
Broadcaster: ABC

The First Wildcard Final will be Sydney’s first Smithy’s VFL finals appearance since 2022, while Frankston is featuring in the finals for the third-consecutive season.

The Dolphins last year reached the preliminary final and previously played a wildcard final in 2024, where they produced one of the greatest upsets in recent finals history by defeating reigning premier the Gold Coast Suns at People First Stadium.

The Second Wildcard Final marks the third-successive year Williamstown features in a wildcard final, where it will be looking to extend its perfect record having comfortably accounted for Collingwood and Richmond across the past two years.

The match will be Carlton’s first Smithy’s VFL final in four years.

The higher-placed wildcard final winner will continue in the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series and will take on Port Melbourne in the second elimination final next week.

The lower-placed wildcard final winner will advance to the first elimination final and will play against Essendon.

The top-six teams on the ladder at the completion of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL home and away season will have a bye during the wildcard finals.

TICKETING

Entry will be free for finals played in New South Wales.

For the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, admission prices will be adults $20, concession/pensioners $15 and children under 15 free.

Tickets can be purchased from midday Tuesday each week of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series via www.intix.com.au/org/vfl.

BROADCAST

The AFL is pleased to confirm that one match each week of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Finals Series will be broadcast live and free by ABC TV VIC, the network’s main channel in Victoria, and ABC iview nationally.

The Seven Network will broadcast Tasmania Football Club’s home finals via Seven Tasmania and 7plus Sport nationally.

All matches, including the 2026 Smithy’s VFL Grand Final, will be streamed live and free on AFL.com.auand the AFL Live Official App.