AFL Wildcard Finals Teams 2026: Full Team Lists, Ins and Outs

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: Thu 27 Aug 2026 11:42

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Jeremy Darke 27 Aug 2026

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Jack Viney headlines key returns for Melbourne vs Carlton clash.
Tim English boosts Bulldogs; Magpies lose Pendlebury but regain two stars.
Full line-ups and crucial ins/outs revealed for all Wildcard Finals teams.

AFL Wildcard Finals Team Lists. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

AFL Wildcard Finals Teams 2026: Full Team Lists, Ins and Outs, Selection News

Melbourne champion Jack Viney will make his long-awaited AFL return as the Demons and Carlton fight to keep their seasons alive in Saturday night's Wildcard Final at the MCG.

AFL Wildcard Finals Teams 2026: Full Team Lists, Ins and Outs, Selection News
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
Melbourne vs Carlton

Viney has battled Achilles and back injuries throughout the year and returned through the VFL two weeks ago. He has now been named for his 238th AFL game, with Jake Melksham and Xavier Taylor also coming into the Melbourne side.

The Western Bulldogs have received their own major boost for Friday night's meeting with Collingwood, with Tim English overcoming the knee injury that has kept him sidelined for three weeks.

The Magpies, however, will be without Scott Pendlebury after the veteran suffered a knee injury in Round 24.

Here are the confirmed team lists and biggest selection calls for both AFL Wildcard Finals.

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Friday, August 28, 7:40pm at the MCG

Western Bulldogs: Tim English returns after overcoming the knee injury he suffered three weeks ago. Lachie Carmichael has been omitted to make way for the star ruckman, while crucial forward Aaron Naughton holds his place.

Collingwood: Scott Pendlebury is sidelined by the knee injury he suffered in Round 24. Isaac Quaynor returns from a glute issue and Patrick Lipinski is back from a calf injury, with Liam Puncher the other player to make way.

Western Bulldogs	POS	Collingwood
M. Sellwood, B. Khamis, B. Williams	B	I. Quaynor, J. Howe, B. Frampton
L. Bramble, J. O'Donnell, B. Dale	HB	S. Swadling, J. Daicos, D. Houston
R. Sanders, J. Freijah, C. Hynes	C	J. Crisp, N. Daicos, S. Sidebottom
C. Weightman, A. Naughton, A. Jones	HF	W. Hayes, P. Lipinski, B. McCreery
J. Dolan, M. Bontempelli, R. Lobb	F	C. West, L. Schultz, T. Membrey
T. English, M. Kennedy, E. Richards	FOLL	D. Cameron, N. Long, J. De Goey
C. Budarick, S. Davidson, R. Gardner, L. Kennedy, R. West	I/C	D. McStay, E. Allan, H. Harrison, A. Anderson, R. Steele

Western Bulldogs In: T. English
Western Bulldogs Out: L. Carmichael (Omitted)

Collingwood In: I. Quaynor, P. Lipinski
Collingwood Out: L. Puncher (Omitted), S. Pendlebury (Injured)

Melbourne vs Carlton

Saturday, August 29, 7:35pm at the MCG

Melbourne: Jack Viney will play his first AFL game in more than a year after battling Achilles and back injuries throughout the season. Jake Melksham and Xavier Taylor also return, with Taylor set for just his third senior appearance. Jake Lever and Matt Jefferson failed fitness tests and miss through injury, while Christian Salem has been omitted. Daniel Turner has been named.

Carlton: Nick Haynes returns from an ankle injury in the Blues' only change. Wade Derksen has been omitted. Will Hayward remains unavailable with an ankle injury.

Melbourne	POS	Carlton
J. Bowey, D. Turner, C. Jiath	B	L. Cowan, J. Weitering, O. Hollands
T. Rivers, H. Petty, E. Langdon	HB	B. Wilson, H. Dean, N. Haynes
C. Windsor, J. Viney, H. Langford	C	B. Acres, P. Cripps, A. Cerra
K. Pickett, J. Melksham, H. Sharp	HF	B. Ainsworth, M. McGovern, F. Evans
B. Laurie, B. Fritsch, K. Chandler	F	C. Lord, H. McKay, T. Byrne
M. Gawn, J. Steele, T. Sparrow	FOLL	M. Pittonet, S. Walsh, J. Smith
X. Lindsay, K. Tholstrup, X. Taylor, T. McDonald, J. Fitzgerald	I/C	O. Florent, G. Hewett, L. Young, B. Kemp, M. Cottrell