COLLINGWOOD boss Eddie McGuire has called for the winner of the NAB Challenge to be awarded a berth in the finals in a radical fixture idea.

The Magpies CEO also wants the AFL to split clubs into a top 12 and bottom six after round 17.

The top 12 teams would battle for finals positions over the final six rounds, while the bottom six will clash for another wildcard spot and the No.1 draft pick.

"What you end up getting is that every game will mean something," McGuire said on Triple M on Wednesday.

McGuire added nobody cared about the current NAB Challenge format, arguing they are just "glorified practice matches".

"The start of the season doesn't have much zing," McGuire said. "It is just hit and giggle. You just want to get through without injuries."

Offering the top draft pick as an incentive to the bottom six sides would also prevent any threat of tanking in the final rounds, he added.

"Good teams will still win the flag, more teams will make the finals," he said.

"By round 12 the bottom five or six teams are usually cooked, anyway."