Why the AFL CEO had a public crack at Dogs star Ed Richards

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has taken a swipe at Ed Richards after the Western Bulldogs’ star suggested Friday night’s wildcard clash against Collingwood was not a real final.

This weekend will be the first time the two do-or-die wildcard games will be held, the top eight having expanded to the top 10 in a bid to prolong supporter interest late into in the season.

The eighth-placed Bulldogs will face the ninth-placed Magpies at the MCG, the clash expected to attract more than 85,000 supporters.

The AFL has already said that its wildcard games are classified as finals, but Richards disagreed on Monday morning.

“I personally think that we haven’t [made finals yet],” he said.

“I would like to win this one and then really have that cemented finals spot in an elimination. So, just treating this one as, I guess, another week – round 25, if you would.”

It prompted a verbal whack from Dillon, speaking at the launch of the AFL finals series on Monday, who was unimpressed.

“Yeah, look, I haven’t heard those comments, but I’m not sure the Bulldogs have played many home-and-away games in front of 90,000-plus, so you might have a different feeling after the game,” Dillon said.

The largest crowd the Bulldogs have played in front of this season was 59,556, against Hawthorn at the MCG in round 13. It’s one of only two occasions the Bulldogs have featured in games attracting more than 50,000 fans – the other being against Fremantle in Perth.

The Magpies and Bulldogs met in round 12, but that was held at Marvel Stadium before a crowd of 43,430, the Dogs winning by four points.

In the last clash between the two clubs at the MCG, in round two last year, 78,027 fans attended – the largest Bulldogs crowd of 2025.

Scheduled to play the lower-ranked Magpies at the MCG off a shorter break, the Bulldogs would be entitled to complain that this game is not at Marvel Stadium – their home ground. But Richards insists the Bulldogs aren’t fazed, the AFL mandating that finals are held at the MCG.

“There’s been a bit of chat about that,” Richards said on Monday.

“I love playing at the ’G, so I’m not too fussed. You’ve got to win finals [there], so you’ve got to be able to play finals at the MCG and play well. We’ve been pretty good there this year so, hopefully, we can continue some good form, play some good footy there on Friday.”

Collingwood also get an extra day’s rest, having played Brisbane on Friday night before the Bulldogs beat Melbourne on Saturday.

Spearhead Aaron Naughton, who rolled his ankle late against Melbourne, wasn’t involved in Monday’s light session but is expected to play.

“Needs to get rid of a bit of swelling and stuff from that ankle but, hopefully, he’ll be right,” Richards said.

Ruckman Tim English hopes to return from injury, the 2022 All-Australian having missed the last two games because of an MCL strain.

with AAP

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.

Jon Pierik is a sports journalist at The Age. He covers AFL and has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.Connect via X or email.