The AFL has abandoned its Opening Round experiment. The decision arrives amid widespread criticism of the controversial fixture. The league will return to a standard season structure. The special early-season round is off the schedule.

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