The AFL’s first-ever wildcard weekend is set to deliver two sudden-death clashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with four Victorian clubs fighting to keep their premiership hopes alive.

The Western Bulldogs will open the weekend against Collingwood on Friday, August 28, at 7:40pm AEST. Melbourne will then face Carlton on Saturday, August 29, at 7:35pm AEST.

The new wildcard format gives teams finishing seventh to 10th a chance to progress into the traditional finals series. Both matches are knockout games, meaning the losing teams will see their seasons end immediately.

Carlton enters the weekend with plenty of momentum after defeating ladder leaders Fremantle in the final round. The Blues have now gone unbeaten in their past five matches and have won 11 of their last 14 games since Josh Fraser took over as coach in May.

Fraser was initially appointed on an interim basis following Michael Voss’s departure but secured the permanent position after guiding the club through a remarkable turnaround.

Carlton’s Brodie Kemp believes the Blues can make an impact despite entering the finals from 10th place.

Melbourne, meanwhile, will be looking to use home-ground advantage to extend its season. The winner of that clash will travel to Geelong in the next stage, while the Bulldogs-Collingwood winner will head to Adelaide.

Team selections could also play a major role. Carlton is hopeful of welcoming back Will Hayward and Nick Haynes, while Melbourne is monitoring injuries to Matt Jefferson and Dan Turner.

The Bulldogs could be without key forward Aaron Naughton, while Collingwood will be missing experienced stars Scott Pendlebury and Brayden Maynard.

With no second chances, the inaugural wildcard weekend promises high-pressure football from the opening bounce.