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The best footy writers from The Age and SMH bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL.
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426 Episodes
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This week on The Age Real Footy Podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Jimmy Bartel look at where things are falling apart and what has to change for the Bombers, from coaching staff to game style to club leadership. Plus, Trent Cotchin has gone to the next level, Alastair Clarkson is putting himself in a great bargaining position, whispers about James Sicily and much more.
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After a lengthy AFL trading period, the biggest news surrounds a player who didn't get his wish - Essendon captain Zach Merrett, who couldn't get to Hawthorn. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan also examine Charlie Curnow's monster move to the Swans and the new-look Demons after Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were shipped off to new clubs.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After Hawthorn finally came to the party and came up with a trade offer for Essendon captain Zach Merrett, our podcasters - Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan - are sceptical that a deal can be reached, even with the deadline only 24 hours away. "Hawthorn haven't come up with a deal that respects the fact that they have to lose something beyond a pick - they have to lose a player," explains Ryan. The machinations of deals involving big names Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca are also on the agenda.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The AFL trade period is in a state of inertia, but the intrigue remains strong with 48 hours until the final deadline. Christian Petracca's switch to the Gold Coast hasn't happened yet, but it will. What is more interesting is the roadblocks facing star forward Charlie Curnow's potential move to Sydney Swans.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're halfway through AFL trade period, 13 trades in and things are starting to get spicy. Andrew Wu and and Marc McGowan run their eye over the action on day five and what lies ahead over the weekend. They discuss Geelong's three-pick offer for Charlie Curnow, Gold Coast clearing space to bring in Christian Petracca, St Kilda reneging on their offer to Leek Aleer and what Wuey would do if he was Carlton list manager for a day.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam McClure's scoop senses are tingling, are Zak Butters and Zach Merrett about to execute their exit strategies and blow the trade period wide open? Sam says something is afoot, but he's not sure what. He joins Peter Ryan to talk about day four of trading, including Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's redemption story and Steven May's prospects of finding a new club.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How much are the Demons willing to pay for Clayton Oliver to play for a rival club for the next five years? Andrew Wu and Jake Niall discuss the intricacies of the star onballer's falling out with his club and why the Giants are leading Collingwood in the haggling for his services. Plus all the action and inaction of day three of the AFL trade period, including the developments on talks about the futures of Charlie Curnow, Christian Petracca and Zach Merrett.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Swans are frontrunners for Charlie Curnow, but only if they are willing to give up something Carlton wants. Clayton Oliver tours the GWS facilities and the Suns build a moat around Bailey Humphrey. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan discuss the deals that happened on day two of the AFL trade period, those that are taking shape and those that are stuttering. Plus, they ask what are the risks and rewards for clubs who make their disgruntled players honour their contracts, and is their a path for Zach Merrett to make his way to Hawthorn.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melbourne says the Suns will need to pay up to get Christian Petracca. Charlie Curnow is gettable, Zach Merrett isn't and Zak Butters makes all recruiters go weak at the knees. The AFL trade period gets underway with all the bluster, posturing and skullduggery footy fans have come to expect. Thankfully, we've got Michael Gleeson and Marc McGowan on the pod to make sense of it all.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They now have back-to-back premierships, so how far can the Brisbane Lions take this dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan pore over the Lions' 47-point upset grand final defeat of Geelong. They analyse the big Lions gamble that hit the jackpot, the risks that backfired on the Cats and all the other major talking points from the 2025 season decider.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will the Lions roll the dice on Lachie Neale and what are the risks? And will the Cats go tall or small in replacing defensive pillar Tom Stewart? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan call injury analyst Libby Birch into this week's Real Footy tipping podcast as they discuss the factors that will decide the AFL grand final between the Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We've heard it before, but could this be Geelong's last dance, and are the Brisbane Lions building a dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson go deep in their grand final preview. Will the Lions pick Lachie Neale, and who will the Cats choose to replace Tom Stewart? Plus, controversial umpiring calls, speccies, board unrest at the Bombers, trade whispers and much more. It's a must-listen at the start of the biggest week on the AFL calendar.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The season is on the line as Geelong faces Hawthorn and Collingwood take on the Brisbane Lions. Who will win and why, and what factors will decide these two epic preliminary finals? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss the games and the tactics that will decide them in this week's episode of the Real Footy tipping podcast.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Good luck getting a ticket to the MCG this weekend as Geelong and Hawthorn renew their long-running rivalry, and Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions face-off in the AFL preliminary finals. Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson are pumped up for both games after a weekend of semi-finals where the Crows and Suns were exposed for their lack of finals experience. Plus, they also talk Zach Merrett's stand-off with the Bombers, Melbourne's appointment of Steven King as coach AFL commission politics.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What was it that derailed the Crows' first final and can they bounce back on Friday night against the Hawks in the semi-final? On the Real Footy podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss finals tipping tactics and the Q Clash Wuey - and all of Queensland - has been waiting for.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lions lost their first final to Geelong and have yet more injury concerns. Can the reigning champs bounce back, firstly against their little brothers from the Gold Coast this week, and beyond that, to defend their hold on their title? Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson give their assessment in this week's edition of the Real Footy podcast and discuss all the other news from the first week of finals and the intriguing political machinations taking place at the very top of the AFL.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Collingwood have the edge in finals experience but is their form good enough to silence the hyped-up Adelaide crowd? Will Geelong's soft run late in the season be a help or hindrance when they take on the Lions at the MCG? This week on the Real Footy tipping podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run the ruler over the AFL qualifying finals as well as the two cut-throat elimination finals - GWS v Hawthorn and Fremantle v Gold Coast.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the AFL finals upon us, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan analyse the games and the key factors that need to be considered at selection this week. They also discuss the contentious calls in this year's All-Australian team and awards night, Mitch Brown's groundbreaking decision to come out as the AFL's first bisexual former player, off-season recruiting games and the latest on the Melbourne coaching vacancy.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Brisbane Lions have injury woes, but also a double chance and key players waiting to return. Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall say they are now perfectly placed to defend their premiership crown. The bitterness between the Crows and Magpies is analysed as they deal with the Izak Rankine rancour and prepare for a tantalising qualifying final in Adelaide, while the panel also debates St Kilda's big cash splash. Listen in to find out who thinks the Saints have landed a coup and who argues they've simply averted a disaster by signing the AFL's first $2m dollar man.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Dogs and Dockers have it all to play for. It's crunch time for the Hawks and Lions, and also our tipsters. Listen to the Real Footy tipping podcast as Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan provide their tips and expert advice as the 2025 home and away season draws to a thrilling conclusion.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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