REGARDLESS of your point of view on wildcard finals, Friday night was a pulsating 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.

BULLDOGS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats

Richards had said on Monday that the AFL'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 plays Carlton in the second wildcard match.

There has been plenty of debate about the benefits of the wildcard finals, which expanded the finals from a top eight to a top 10.

And when Richards expressed his doubt about the concept this week, "Dillsy" - AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon - responded in kind.

"I personally think that we haven't [made finals yet]," Richards said on Monday morning.

"I would like to win this one and then really have that cemented finals spot in an elimination. So, just treating this one as, I guess, another week – round 25, if you would."

Dillon thought Richards might change his tune when the Bulldogs play in front of Friday night's massive crowd.

"Yeah, look, I haven't heard those comments, but I'm not sure the Bulldogs have played many home-and-away games in front of 90,000-plus, so you might have a different feeling after the game," Dillon said on Monday.

With an unforgettable win secured, Richards was happy to see the funny side of the back-and-forth with the AFL boss.

"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."

What wasn't funny at all was Collingwood forward Tim Membrey having a shot at goal on the final siren to win the game, but his 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.