The AFL has abandoned its Opening Round experiment. The decision comes after a wave of backlash about the disputed format. The league will return to a standard season structure. The special early-season round has now been dropped.

Eddie McGuire has floated a proposal to change the AFL finals format. He said the proposal could expand the postseason. McGuire spoke out after the league voted to remove the special early-season round. His finals proposal comes after the league's decision to abandon Opening Round.