The AFL is also rolling the dice on the Gold Coast-St Kilda clash which kicks off Round 24 on Thursday and will help shape the inaugural Wildcard Round. AFL executive Tom Harley has defended the underwhelming final day of home and away action, saying the Wildcard Round forced the league’s hand. “And the added layer for this year … is making sure we give those teams in contention for finals, particularly Wildcard finals, the best chance to put their best foot forward.” It will be the first and only AFL round this season not to feature a Thursday night game. “There’s a game in between those two games at Marvel Stadium (North Melbourne v Geelong) as well.