How to watch Bulldogs vs Magpies – AFL 2nd Wildcard Final
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Friday night at the MCG, a packed house, and a season on the line. The Western Bulldogs host Collingwood in the second Wildcard Final on Friday, August 28th, 2026, with the first bounce at 7:40 PM AEST. It is the first wildcard weekend in AFL history, and this one has all the makings of a classic – eighth against ninth, with the winner advancing to week two of the finals and the loser going home.
The Bulldogs snuck into the new 10-team finals series in eighth, while the Magpies finished ninth with 12 wins and 2 draws. There is little to split them – the Dogs won the Round 12 meeting by just four points – but Collingwood will have to do it without Scott Pendlebury, the league's all-time games record holder, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Start time: For overseas viewers, the first bounce comes at 10:40 AM BST in the UK, 5:40 AM ET / 2:40 AM PT in the US and Canada, and 9:40 PM NZST in New Zealand. In Australia, every final is free on Channel 7 and 7plus. If you are watching from abroad, a VPN lets you tap into that same free stream from anywhere.
Where to watch Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood: TV channels
Below is a complete overview of official viewing options for the second Wildcard Final by region.
| Region | Free option | Paid option |
| Australia | Channel 7 / 7plus (Free) | Kayo Sports / Foxtel |
| United Kingdom | 7plus via AU VPN | TNT Sports |
| United States | 7plus via AU VPN | Fox Sports |
| Canada | 7plus via AU VPN | TSN |
| New Zealand | 7plus via AU VPN | Sky Sport NZ |
| Global (outside Australia) | 7plus via AU VPN | WatchAFL – from $39.00/month |
Australian fans have it best. Channel 7 and 7plus carry every finals match free, and Kayo Sports and Foxtel show all finals except the Grand Final, which is exclusive to Seven. For everyone else, WatchAFL is the AFL's official international streaming service, with weekly, monthly, annual, and finals passes available.
How to watch Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood in Australia for free
The second Wildcard Final streams free on 7plus in Australia. The platform is ad-supported, so there is no subscription to pay – just a free account with an Australian postcode. The catch is that 7plus is geo-restricted and only works with an Australian IP address. If you are in the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand, or anywhere else, a VPN with Australian servers gets you in. See our guide to the best VPNs for streaming for a full comparison.
- Choose a VPN with Australian servers. We recommend NordVPN for streaming 7plus. It runs servers across 224 locations, uses the fast NordLynx protocol for smooth HD sport, and reliably unblocks Australian streaming platforms from abroad.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device – Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or a supported smart TV.
- Connect to an Australian server. This gives you an Australian IP address that 7plus accepts.
- Go to 7plus.com.au and create a free account. You will need an Australian postcode on registration – 3000 (Melbourne) works fine.
- Find the AFL Wildcard Final in the live or sport section and stream Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood free.
Why you need a VPN to watch the AFL Wildcard Final
It comes down to broadcast rights. Networks pay for the right to show AFL matches only in specific countries, which is why the same match is free on 7plus in Australia but sits behind paid services like TNT Sports in the UK or Fox Sports in the US. Open 7plus from outside Australia, and the platform reads your IP address, spots your location, and blocks the stream.
A VPN fixes that by routing your connection through an Australian server, so 7plus treats you like a local. It works just as well for Australian fans traveling overseas who want their usual free coverage. For a full comparison of VPN options, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Best VPNs to watch Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
- NordVPN – best overall for streaming. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month and runs servers across 149 countries, with NordLynx delivering around 83% of our tested baseline speeds. Australian servers unblock 7plus reliably, and Smart DNS support helps on smart TVs that do not run VPN apps. Read our full NordVPN review for details.
- Surfshark – best budget option. Surfshark starts at $2.49/month with unlimited simultaneous connections and servers in 100 countries. The modern WireGuard protocol holds around 82% of baseline speeds in our tests, which is plenty for smooth HD footy streams.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-focused users. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland under strong privacy laws, with servers in 148 countries and a solid free plan. Premium starts at $2.99/month and streams live sport reliably through Australian servers.
Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood preview
The Bulldogs arrive with wind in their sails. Marcus Bontempelli inspired a 16.12 (108) to 12.15 (87) win over Melbourne in Round 24, a result that locked in eighth place and broke Carlton's hearts in the process. Bontempelli has been closing the gap on Nick Daicos in the coaches' association player of the year race, and the Dogs' on-ball group – Bontempelli and Adam Treloar at its heart – has powered their late-season surge.
Collingwood's road here has been rougher. The Magpies finished ninth at 12 wins and 2 draws, and they take the field without Pendlebury, out for up to three weeks with his hamstring issue. The good news for the Pies is Daicos, who claimed SEN's 2026 Player of the Year with two rounds to spare, and a commanding MCG record – Collingwood have won 112 of 164 all-time meetings with the Bulldogs.
Recent history between these sides is tight. Since 2019, Collingwood lead the head-to-head 5-4, and the Round 12 clash this season went the Bulldogs' way by just four points at Marvel Stadium. Tipsters are leaning toward the Pies despite their patchier form, but a first-ever wildcard final under Friday night lights at the MCG feels genuinely up for grabs. The winner moves on to face a qualifying-final loser in week two. The loser starts planning for 2027.
Frequently asked questions about Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood
What channel is the AFL Wildcard Final on in the UK, US, and New Zealand?
In the UK, the match airs on TNT Sports. In the US, coverage is on Fox Sports, while New Zealand viewers can watch on Sky Sport NZ. In each of these countries, the free alternative is 7plus accessed with a VPN connected to an Australian server.
How can I watch Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood for free from overseas?
Channel 7 and 7plus show every AFL final free in Australia. From overseas, connect to an Australian VPN server, head to 7plus, and create a free account with an Australian postcode such as 3000. The five-step guide above walks you through it.
What time does Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood start?
The first bounce is at 7:40 PM AEST on Friday, August 28th, at the MCG. That is 10:40 AM BST in the UK, 5:40 AM ET / 2:40 AM PT in the US and Canada, 12:40 PM EEST in Eastern Europe, and 9:40 PM NZST in New Zealand.
Can I watch the AFL finals on WatchAFL?
Yes. WatchAFL is the AFL's official international streaming service for viewers outside Australia, with monthly plans from $39.00 and finals passes available. It is a paid option – the 7plus free stream with a VPN is the cheaper route.
