Real Footy
News, analysis and insight on the AFL from The Age sports team.
The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
Show overview
Real Footy has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 113 episodes. That works out to roughly 65 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 10th season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 24 min and 43 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language Sports show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 22 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 71 episodes published. Published by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
From the publisher
The best footy writers from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL. If you like the pod, please take the time to rate & review us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear from you and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us. And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ or https://subscribe.smh.com.au/
Latest Episodes
View all 113 episodesCats seek vengeance, Pies to be outpaced
Pies minced, Dockers convince and a shake-up at City Hall
The uproar and the ‘brutal reality’: Inside the Lance Collard case and the AFL tribunal
One team's streak is about to end
It's Groundhog Day for Voss and his Blues
Friends become foes in Blues' grudge match
AFL fumbles tech, Pendles fumbles nothing
The case for a Bombers’ boilover
How did the Blues fail Elijah Hollands?
Rivalries, royals and rev-ups
To ruck or not to ruck?: The Dogs' Darcy dilemma
Injuries stack up against Bulldogs
Hawks, Cats deliver again; Blues smell of panic
S10 Ep 9A question of trust for Blues v Roos
The Easter round throws up a variety of intriguing AFL games, with Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan disagreeing on where to put their faith on Good Friday. They also debate the merits of speculative "expected-score" statistics, ponder how much damage the Western Bulldogs could do to the Bombers and get excited for the rematch of last year's preliminary final between Hawthorn and Geelong.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 8How low can the Blues and Bombers go?
One-time AFL behemoths Carlton and Essendon delivered more disappointment to their long-suffering supporters at the weekend, prompting Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson to ask if either club has reached its lowest ebb. The league also comes in for scrutiny after a boundary-line blunder, inexplicable jumper clash and faulty fixture, but wins praise for locking in the grand final timing and entertainment.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 7No excuses for Collingwood, mutual hatred at Marvel
The Magpies have an unhealthy reliance on Nick Daicos, but our tipsters, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan, reckon they'll get the job done against the Giants. They also preview two Marvel Stadium matches between sworn enemies - St Kilda v Brisbane Lions and Essendon v North Melbourne - and analyse why Melbourne are going to be a difficult team to tip all season long.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 6'A world of pain' for Brad Scott's Bombers
Essendon's disastrous start to the season puts more heat on coach Brad Scott and their lacklustre leaders. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson also discuss Docker Patrick Voss' fine for taunting Melbourne's Harrison Petty, and whether the AFL bears any blame for the spate of hamstring injuries that have sidelined star players across the competition. Plus, they analyse the rise of the brilliant Western Bulldogs and the Tasmanian turf war between the Devils and the Hawks.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 5Rankine returns, Bevo's faith pays off
The Crows get their firestarter back after a long suspension, but the in-form Bulldogs should have them covered in one key area in Friday night's blockbuster in Adelaide. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan lay down their round two tips, asking will Sydney's injuries hobble them against the Hawks and who will win the statement game between GWS and St Kilda.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 4What happens if the big four flop?
Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and Richmond are Victoria’s big four clubs with the power to fill the MCG weekly, but what will happen if they all struggle in the same season? Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure ponder that question while also asking what the Saints really got for their $4m splurge, whether the Bombers regret hanging onto Zach Merrett and why the Magpies left themselves so bereft in attack. Plus they talk through impending changes to the AFL drugs policy and pre-season predictions they’d like to take back.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S10 Ep 3Angry fans, fashion tips and undisciplined Lions
Round one of the AFL season promises some spite, with the Bombers and Hawks renewing their rivalry, Roos fans reacquainting with Jason Horne-Francis, Jack Steele facing the Saints and the Pies and Crows meeting for the first time since last year's hostile final. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan strip back the emotion in search of some winners. They find the Lions' lack of discipline could be costly against the in-form Swans, and Pete reveals the type of clothing he "wouldn't be caught dead" wearing.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.