Regardless of your point of view, Friday night was a pulsating AFL clash with a nerve-wracking end that left Ed Richards feeling ill.
And most importantly, the Western Bulldogs beat Collingwood by three points to keep their season alive.
"Round 26. Dillsy, here we go," Richards told Fox Sports post-match.
Richards had said on Monday that the league's historic first wildcard final felt more like round 25.
To the Bulldogs midfielder, the business end of the season starts next weekend when they play in an elimination final.
Their opponent will be determined on Saturday night when Melbourne play Carlton in the second wildcard match.
There was plenty of conjecture when the AFL announced the wildcard games, which expanded the finals from a top-eight to a top 10.
So when Richards also dismissed the concept, "Dillsy" - AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon - was unimpressed.
Dillon thought Richards might change his tune when the Bulldogs played in front of Friday night's massive 81,036 crowd.
"It was always going to be a hotly contested game ... now we're in the finals, with the rest of them," Richards said post-game, with a grin.
"They got lucky," he added with a laugh about the AFL, before adding. "Nah, I'm kidding."
It was all a bit of fun and took a bit of pressure off us, as well. It just dumped it all on me to play well.
"Round 26. We're into it."
"It's every boys dream, but at the same time if you miss it, it's your worst nightmare."
— AFL (@AFL) August 28, 2026
Arty Jones sends his love to Tim Membrey after the star Pie missed a shot on goal to win the game.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/jZglEQ4P1d
What wasn't funny at all was Collingwood forward Tim Membrey having a shot at goal on the final siren to win the game.
Membrey's kick faded right for a behind.
"I feel a bit sick to be honest, but yeah, that was crazy. I mean, not the way you want to win it, but a win's a win," Richards said.
"I couldn't bear to watch.
"It was loud as well, so I thought - 'oh no, he's kicked it' - then we started celebrating."
Richards kicked a crucial goal in the last quarter and the midfielder had 25 possessions, with seven clearances, to play his part.
He was asked whether there was a preferred elimination final opponent.
"We had a shocking performance against the Cats earlier in the year, so I'd like some redemption," Richards said.
