Live: Giants, Blues looking for wins in battle for AFL wildcard

The top 10 could be decided this afternoon as two key games shape the wild card places on the ladder.GWS has a mathematical chance of taking 10th spot, but they must beat West Coast in Sydney — preferably by a percentage-boosting margin.Even if the Giants are successful, Carlton can wrap things up with a victory at Docklands over a Western Bulldogs side without Marcus Bontempelli.And as Round 23 comes to a conclusion, the Sydney Swans can lock in second spot on the ladder by beating Essendon at the MCG.We also have four games to complete the opening round in the AFLW.Follow all the action in our live blog.Sun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:27pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:27pmAFL Sunday ScoreboardSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:38pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:38pmHere's how the AFL ladder standsTenth spot on the ladder comes down to three teams.St Kilda has already played and won - they are a game behind Carlton with better percentage.GWS are two games behind with two to play - they HAVE to win, and their percentage is not as good as either Carlton or the Saints, so they have to win by a lot.And the Blues can stop all this speculation with a win later on over the Bulldogs - that would lock in the top 10.Sun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:37pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:37pmRecent results between GWS and West CoastR10, 2026: West Coast by 17 (Perth Stadium)R17, 2025: GWS by 59 (Perth Stadium)R4, 2025: GWS by 81 (Sydney Showground)R2, 2024: GWS by 65 (Perth Stadium)R2, 2023: West Coast by 19 (Perth Stadium)R10, 2022: GWS by 52 (Sydney Showground)The early days of this match-up were, as you might expect, heavily favouring West Coast, who won nine of the first 12 outings.Since then, however, it has gone the other way with the Giants winning five of the last seven.A quick scan of the results shows that when it's close the Eagles seem to come out on top, but when GWS has their day, it's usually a BIG day.If the Giants are to have a chance of keeping their season alive, then they need one of those really big days to boost their percentage (before hoping Carlton loses later).Sun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:32pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:32pmLate change for Giants against Eagles(AFL.com.au)UPDATE: There IS a late change after all that, with the Giants losing Toby Bedford right before the game. he is replaced by Conor Stone.There are no late changes for either team, and you can catch up on both line-ups above.Both initial changes for the Giants from last week are enforced, with Xavier O'Halloran out with a hamstring issue, and Jayden Laverde missing with a punctured lung.Into the side come Toby McMullin and Cody Angove.For the Eagles, Bo Allan is being managed. Into the side comes Hamish Davis.Sun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:25pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:25pmThe end of THAT draw from last night at the MCGI'm not sure any of us can cope with more drama after last night's incredible draw between Hawthorn and Collingwood.I do know I'm glad that our own Chris De Silva has some downtime today after keeping everyone entertained on last night's blog of that amazing finish.If you want to hear how the ABC broadcast covered the dramatic finish, you can check out Clint Wheeldon's excellent call above.Sun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:12pmSun 16 Aug 2026 at 1:12pmWelcome to Sunday footyHello, good afternoon and welcome to ABC's live online coverage of the conclusion of round 23 of the AFL.There are only 12 games left in the home-and-away season, three of them today — and by the end of today we could have a couple of major questions answered, or we could finish the weekend none the wiser, depending on results!First up we go to Sydney Showground, where GWS hosts West Coast. The Giants are well behind the eight ball and will need everything to go their way to wedge their way into wildcard calculations, starting with a big win at home.Then comes the big one of the day, with the Western Bulldogs taking on Carlton at Docklands without their biggest name, as the Blues seek the win that would clinch a spot in the wildcard round and lock in the teams that will make up the top 10.Finally we head to the MCG for a twilight conclusion to the round, as Essendon takes on Sydney with the Bombers seeking a third win of the year and the Swans looking to lock up second spot and two home finals.We also have four games in the AFLW, beginning with Essendon vs Brisbane and Adelaide vs Sydney. Then later we'll have Fremantle vs Port Adelaide before GWS vs West Coast wraps things up.My name is Andrew McGarry, and I'm delighted to bring you all the action on this Sunday of footy.Let's jump in!