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PODCAST

Real Footy

The Age and Sydney Morning Herald

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

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All Episodes

28:21

Merrett gets his wish: Dons hostage becomes a Hawk

Real Footy ·

2026/10/05

There was no mucking around on the first day of the AFL trade period ... well, not as much as usual. Zach Merrett was granted his request and traded to Hawthorn, Scott Pendlebury was officially traded to Gold Coast, uncertainty surrounded the future of Jordan de Goey and North Melbourne prepared to appoint their next senior coach. Sam McClure and Jake Niall unpack it all with an eye on what wheeling and dealing will be done in the days ahead.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See

en-US

44:07

RIP Wharfie Time: The history and heartbreak of the...

Real Footy ·

2026/09/27

A four-minute frenzy flipped the 2026 grand final on its head when the Brisbane Lions surged late to destroy Fremantle’s dreams of a maiden AFL premiership. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan were among the 100,023 awestruck footy fans who witnessed it. Hours later, they gather in our studio to analyse the pivotal moments, discuss the future of Lions coach Chris Fagan, rate Kylie Minogue’s pre-match show and tell us who really was the best player on the ground. And we ask

en-US

25:00

Why forgotten Lion could replace Neale

Real Footy ·

2026/09/23

Lachie Neale’s future hangs in the balance, creating selection quandaries for Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan ahead of the grand final against Fremantle. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ruminate over the options facing both teams, the vital statistics and match-ups that will shape the game. Will the Lions go back-to-back-to-back or will Fremantle’s purple reign at the MCG? Our tipsters have opposing views on how the game will unfold.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See

en-US

42:56

The Hawks bottled it, now for the grand final

Real Footy ·

2026/09/21

Free kicks cost Hawthorn in the closing stages of Saturday night’s pulsating preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson rank the game among the best they’ve seen, but say the Hawks only have themselves to blame for the heartbreaking loss. They also discuss the heated scenes post-match before turning their eye to the Lions and their bid for a slice of history against Fremantle - who are chasing their own landmark victory - in the grand

en-US

20:17

Preliminary final predictions and Brownlow forecasts

Real Footy ·

2026/09/16

Sydney and Hawthorn are well rested and sitting pretty for the AFL preliminary finals, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan question whether the week off and hosting rights are the advantage they’re made out to be. Could Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions both pull off an interstate raid, and who will be the main challengers to Nick Daicos for the Brownlow Medal on Monday night? Our tipsters give you all their best predictions.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener

en-US

39:06

How Butters blindsided the Cats and thrilled the Dogs

Real Footy ·

2026/09/14

Geelong lost their semi-final to Fremantle then had the biggest fish of the trade period jump off their hook when Zak Butters declared he wanted to join the Western Bulldogs. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss how the Dogs won Butters’ affections, how they’ll now get the deal done and what he’ll mean for their future. Plus, they assess the weekend’s semi-finals and look ahead to this week’s preliminary finals - Sydney vs Fremantle and Hawthorn vs

en-US

22:41

‘I reckon the winner of this game will win the flag’

Real Footy ·

2026/09/09

Our master tipster Andrew Wu makes a huge call ahead of the clash between Fremantle and Geelong. Before flying to Perth to cover the game, Wu tells Peter Ryan why he thinks the first semi-final will be the pivotal match of this year’s finals series. The Brisbane Lions versus Adelaide match also gets close scrutiny as our tipsters search for winners at the pointy end of the AFL season.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

en-US

49:58

How the Swans revived their torpedoed season

Real Footy ·

2026/09/07

Sydney are into a preliminary final after a mighty win over the Brisbane Lions, but still face months of uncertainty off the field. North Melbourne’s cold-blooded sacking of coach Alastair Clarkson leaves the legendary coach with deep wounds, and the Hawks ambush Fremantle in front of their adoring, but tense, home-town fans. When Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall cast their eyes over all the news in the AFL it’s a must-listen for all footy fans.Support the show:

en-US

25:34

How will the Hawks handle Wharfie Time?

Real Footy ·

2026/09/01

The “real finals” start now according to our resident tipping experts, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan. Fremantle will be warm favourites at home to Hawthorn, but will they be able to handle the pressure of expectation from their parochial fans? Geelong face the buoyant Blues, who’ve had the wood on them of late. The depleted Swans host the Lions, and Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is also under the pump as his team takes on the Bulldogs.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See

en-US

43:29

Their halo slipped: The Sydney Swans' fall from grace

Real Footy ·

2026/08/31

Pressure mounts on the depleted Swans on and off the field ahead of their qualifying final against the Brisbane Lions. Scott Pendlebury walks out on the heartbroken Magpies after 442 games to become a Sun, the Bulldogs breathe a sigh of relief and Carlton's Josh Fraser juggernaut rolls on. September is almost here and it's all happening in the AFL. Luckily, we've got Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson to make sense of it all.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See

en-US

18:14

Wild times ahead

Real Footy ·

2026/08/26

The wildcard finals pit the Western Bulldogs versus Collingwood and Melbourne against Carlton. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run their discerning eye over both games. After sitting atop our tipping contest all season, they suddenly find themselves in fierce disagreement on both games. It’s sudden-death time on the field and high-risk strategies off it, as our experts debate who will win and why, while also vying for tipping supremacy.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See

en-US

46:29

The open secret about the Sydney Swans

Real Footy ·

2026/08/24

It's a shameful time for the Sydney Swans. Michael Gleeson says the latitude given to their players has been an open secret among rival clubs, while Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan say the Swans have lost the moral superiority they once carried because of the behaviour of five players at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel.The Swans are also set to lose a key off-field figure, with Mark McVeigh poised to become Essendon coach, beating his former teammate James Hird to the job in charge of the wooden

en-US

22:32

A minefield for tipsters

Real Footy ·

2026/08/19

The Swans are in turmoil and North Melbourne are finishing the season strongly. Collingwood’s kids have delivered, but can they take it up to the mighty Brisbane Lions? Fremantle have nothing to play for, and a number of clubs are looking to give their battered stars a rest before the wildcard games and finals. It’s the final round of the home and away season, and while the AFL’s top 10 might be locked in, AFL tipping competitions across Australia are going down to the wire. Andrew

en-US

44:19

Pendlebury might play on in 2027, and why it might...

Real Footy ·

2026/08/17

Scott Pendlebury has played more AFL games than anyone, all for Collingwood, but Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson identify the rival club where he might get a swansong and why it would make sense. In a remarkable round of football, we got two draws at the weekend - Hawthorn vs Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs vs Carlton. And with the wildcard matches looming, there’s plenty going on in the AFL for our podcasters to talk about.Support the show:

en-US

25:19

September comes early, Cats face ‘banana-peel’ game

Real Footy ·

2026/08/13

With two rounds left in the home and away season, there are a number of crunch games this week for Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan to preview. The Cats head to Marvel Stadium for the first time this year, where they take on the in-form Kangas, and the Crows are out to upset the Dockers. Collingwood and Hawthorn lock horns in an MCG blockbuster, and although St Kilda need a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive against the amped-up Tigers, Carlton’s equation against the Bulldogs is simple; win and

en-US

54:41

AFL chair 'needs to stand aside’ over concussion...

Real Footy ·

2026/08/10

As Geelong and the AFL sift through the messy business of Jake Kolodjashnij’s concussion waiver, Caroline Wilson says it’s time for league chairman Craig Drummond to take a leave of absence. Fellow panellists Jake Niall, Sam McClure and AFLW champion Libby Birch also weigh in with their thoughts on the saga that is the talk of the footy world. Meanwhile, Josh Fraser’s momentum as Carlton coach is undeniable, Steven King has Melbourne in premiership contention and the AFLW season

en-US

25:38

Hawthorn’s chance to prove their premiership credentials

Real Footy ·

2026/08/05

Can the Hawks make a statement at the Gabba, or will the Lions bounce back from last week’s stinging loss to Carlton? With tipping supremacy on the line, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan disagree on how this monumental swing game will play out. The Sunday-night clash between St Kilda and Carlton is also a bone of contention, while Collingwood face a “danger game” in the west and Fremantle get a rare dress rehearsal at the MCG. It’s round 22, and as tipping competitions draw towards a

en-US

40:27

Essendon to announce their new coach next week

Real Footy ·

2026/08/03

Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall give the latest word on coach searches as Carlton and the Bombers narrow down the list of candidates. The groundswell of support for Josh Fraser is growing after the Blues' statement win over the reigning premiers, while Essendon's process and political history comes under scrutiny. The pressure is ramping up on North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, with former West Coach premiership coach and Roos premiership player Adam Simpson in the

en-US

23:34

The milestone that will lift the Blues

Real Footy ·

2026/07/29

Carlton take on the reigning premiers who are riding a seven-game winning streak, and our tipsters expect the the Blues to come out breathing fire for captain Patrick Cripps' 250th match. But is that emotion enough to tip the Blues? It's moving round, and there are plenty of 50-50 clashes at play in round 21. The battle of Charlie Curnow against former teammate Jack Silvagni takes centre stage, as does Christian Petracca's first match against the Demons. Plus, the "stinker" that's a toss of the

en-US

47:58

Former Carlton star Sam Docherty on when fans boo,...

Real Footy ·

2026/07/27

Our podcasters are joined by special guest Sam Docherty, with plenty to discuss after a dramatic round 20. He gives a player's insight into the booing of Magpie Isaac Quaynor, the heated on-field exchange between Suns Christian Petracca and Leo Lombard, and what Josh Fraser would bring to Carlton as coach. Plus, how the Saints ran out of runway for injured star Max King, what no one saw coming from veteran Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston, and a blunt assessment of Collingwood's premiership chances

en-US

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