Real Footy

Libby Birch joins Caroline Wilson and Michael Gleeson to discuss the psychology behind Carlton's shock loss to the Tigers, whether there's an advantage to playing opening round and the two standout teams in the competition. Plus, why Melbourne should be happy even though they lost, Bailey Smith's brilliant Geelong debut and were the Bombers right to re-sign Brad Scott so early in the year?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss where the Bombers will be vulnerable against the Hawks, what position Tom McCartin should play and the team that will be an early season mover.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall debate the merits of opening round and discuss the "puddlingly slow and old" Pies, the troubling exodus at Richmond and the people who are helping the Hawks rise.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss how much of an impact the Swans' grand final loss will have on their 2025 campaign, the most impactful absences of the round and why there are concerns around the Giants. Plus, top eight predictions and who will win the flag?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Libby Birch, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss the teams and coaches under the most pressure in 2025, whether the Hawks can back up their 2024 efforts, how injuries have hit some clubs particularly hard and much more.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To kick off the 2025 season, Libby Birch, Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu get together to draft three teams of current AFL players and put them to a vote to decide whose is best.Head to theage.com.au/afl to cast your vote and have your say in the comments.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 10 days, the AFL trade period culminated in a final, frantic, 15-minute stretch, and the man in the eye of the storm was Western Bulldogs recruiter Sam Power. MIchael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan break down all the big moves and explain what the clubs were thinking.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dan Houston was headed to Collingwood, then he wasn't, then he was. Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall discuss how the mega deal was resurrected and who were the winners and losers as we wrap day nine of the 2024 trade period. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although it was another quiet day for player movement, a mega trade is taking shape involving four clubs. Peter Ryan wonders if it will be a good deal for Collingwood, but Marc McGowan says they stand to land the blue-chip asset.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally, we got some action. Scott Spits and Andrew Wu discuss the rationale behind the pick swaps executed by Carlton, Brisbane, Richmond and Hawthorn on day five of the AFL trade period, and answer the question many Melbourne fans are now asking; 'who is Harry Sharp?'Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Marc McGowan discuss the negotiations that are holding up other deals and the clubs waiting in the wings if any trades fall over. Plus, the Tiger re-signed on a mega deal, and will pick 56 be enough to get Jake Stringer from Essendon to GWS?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although no players or picks were swapped, Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan analyse a number of the big off-field manoeuvres that were executed on day three of the AFL trade period.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan discuss whether the Pies are wise to chase Dan Houston (and what a deal might look like), the chances of Clayton Oliver getting to Geelong and what it will take to get Liam Baker to the Eagles. Plus, free agency compensation explained and where the Cats stand on ruckmen.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan discuss the state of play after day one of trade period, from the fascinating press conference with Melbourne list boss Tim Lamb to Monday's done deals to the state of the free agency compensation system. What's happening at the Bombers? And what's the best result the Roos could expect from splitting the No.2 pick?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss the Lions' thumping grand final win over the Swans, from the questions the Swans have to answer to the word on Joe Daniher's future. What was '"horrific" about John Longmire's press conference? Will the competition follow the new premiers' lead when it comes to game style? Plus, the highlights of the season, what the first round of games will look like in 2025 and a look ahead to trade period.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan take a look at the stats that could decide the grand final in the final expert tips podcast of the season. Who will be the most devastating players on the ground? Will injuries catch up with the Lions? And who will the Swans send to Harris Andrews?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Niall, Libby Birch and Michael Gleeson discuss the best game of the finals so far, why the AFL will be happy with a Sydney-Brisbane grand final and the key tactical battles for the season decider. Plus: do the Cats get held to a higher standard because they outperform expectations? And should the Swans take the risk and play Callum Mills?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan concede defeat in this week's expert tips episode. Have Port Adelaide already played their grand final? Will the Swans' eight-game losing streak against the Power have an influence on the match? Will the week off help or hinder the Cats? And can we trust the Lions not to fold under pressure?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss brain fades, sledges and fines as they dissect a big weekend of semi-final action. What does the future hold for the Hawks? What changes should the Giants make next season? And who was the unheralded hero in Brisbane's win over GWS?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan tip the semi-finals and issue a reminder about the stat to keep in mind this weekend. Are Hawthorn morals against Port Adelaide? And how will the Lions, who easily accounted for the Blues, go against the more serious test posed by the Giants?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss botched selection, the fearless Hawks and whether the Swans will be glass half empty or half full after the win over GWS. Should the pressure be on Michael Voss at Carlton? Plus, is Port Adelaide’s home-ground advantage actually suffocating them - and is that down to the coach?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu look ahead to the first weekend of finals in this week's expert tips edition. Will the Cats have learnt from their most recent match against Port Adelaide? Will a lack of strong competition in the run home come back to bite the Hawks? Will this be the Swans' first finals win over GWS? And will the Blues be able to control Brisbane's midfield?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Libby Birch discuss the way the Christian Petracca and Demons situation has played out and what we can read into the actions of both the player and the club. Plus, a preview of this week's finals including the looming selection calls over some of the game's biggest players, the best stories and most questionable selections from the All-Australian team and were the Bombers right to only offer Jake Stringer a one-year contract?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the precarious nature of the competition this season after a dramatic final day of the home-and-away season. Is there enough benefit for the winners of the minor premiership? Did the Blues deserve a finals spot? How crucial is Liam Jones to the Bulldogs' structure? What was the most encouraging sign for the Saints? And do the Bombers need a rebuild?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday night specialists Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan discuss an "incredibly mediocre" finalist, retirement conspiracy theories and the story of the year in this week's expert tips episode. Will we see another last-minute wooden spoon switch in season 2024? And can anyone tip the Bulldogs-Giants game with confidence? Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan discuss an extraordinary round of football that had huge implications for finals. How costly will the Lions’ loss to the Pies prove to be? What did the Blues learn from their win over West Coast? And are the Hawks good enough to win the flag this year? Plus, the three minutes that turned Sydney’s season, what the future holds for Christian Petracca and has a lack of unity held the Bombers back this season?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.