Wildcard Final, 2026
Melbourne vs Carlton
Saturday 22 August
Venue: MCG
Attendance: 91,733
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | |
| Melbourne | 4.3 | 5.6 | 7.10 | 7.13.55 |
| Carlton | 1.3 | 5.5 | 8.8 | 10.14.74 |
Carlton win by 19 points
Goalkickers: Bayley Fritsch 1, Max Gawn 1, Harvey Langford 1, Bailey Laurie 1, Tom McDonald 1, Harrison Petty 1, Harry Sharp 1
Milestones:
Last game
Tom McDonald
Jake Melksham
150th game
Kysaiah Pickett
100th game
Jake Bowey
Coaches votes:
TBD
Statistical categories led:
First Wildcard Final
Highest score and biggest loss in a Wildcard Final
After missing out on a week's break by losing in Round 24, Melbourne were forced into the league's new 'Wildcard' finals system, playing against the 10th placed Blues for a spot in the Elimination Final.
Missing Jacob van Rooyen (suspended), Matthew Jefferson, and Jake Lever (injured), the Demons recalled Jake Melksham for what would be his last game, and recalled Jack Viney for his first game of the season after battling foot and back injuries.
In front of a largely pro-Carlton crowd, Melbourne kicked the first four goals of the game, but only three more for the rest of the match. Despite their last major coming early in the second quarter, they were still within range midway through the last term, but failed to register another goal and were beaten.
Best were Max Gawn, Harvey Langford, and Jake Bowey.
Links
Demonblog match review
Media
afl.com.au - 22/08/2026