AFL chief Andrew Dillon has taken a comedic approach to addressing fans' calls for fewer gimmicks in the game by introducing a 'Wildcard Round', which expands the finals to a top ten system. This decision, Dillon claims, stems from a marketing brainstorm session rather than fan demand.

Dillon humorously notes that fans have never actually asked for the team finishing tenth to have a chance to win the flag, but he quips that if something's working, it’s always the right time to change it. He also mentions a dismissed radical idea to let all eighteen teams play finals, a concept deemed too ridiculous even for the AFL's standards.

Addressing concerns about commercial motivations, Dillon reassures that the AFL is not driven purely by profit and teases the launch of 'Tuesday Night Twilight Footy' in 2026, starting at the quirky time of 3:50 pm. He also hints at a new 'Reverse Round' where fans play and players watch, showcasing the AFL's continuous quest for innovation.