Between the sticks

BRISBANE ARE THE 2026 AFL PREMIERS! 🏆🦁 This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack the AFL Grand Final — how Brisbane took control, where Fremantle fell short, and who stood up when it mattered most. ⚓ Where did the Dockers lose it? We discuss their costly “red time” lapses, the impact of Alex Pearce’s injury, and the moments that swung the game away from Fremantle. 🦁 How did Brisbane get it do...

This week on Between The Sticks , we’re heading into Grand Final week. We break down Fremantle’s win over Sydney, Brisbane’s thriller against Hawthorn, and Nick Daicos’ record-breaking 47-vote Brownlow Medal win. Did Sydney’s missing players cost them a shot at the flag? How much did the controversial umpiring shape the Hawthorn–Brisbane prelim? And will Lachie Neale be available for the biggest g...

The 2026 AFL Finals are down to the final four! This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack all the fallout from Semi Finals Week: Fremantle refusing to go home, Brisbane ending Adelaide’s campaign and the biggest stories unfolding off the field. ⚓ Can Fremantle go all the way after another huge finals performance? 🦁 Where does Adelaide go after another disappointing finals exit? 💣 Zak Butters h...

The 2026 AFL Finals are underway—and Week 1 has already shaken up the premiership race 🏆 This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack a massive opening weekend of September: 🔴⚪ Sydney announced themselves as a genuine premiership threat. With Callum Mills making an impact and their forward line firing, can the Swans win the flag despite the key players they’re missing? 🟤🟡 Hawthorn stunned Frema...

The first-ever AFL Wildcard Round is in the books — and it delivered. 🔥 This week on Between The Sticks, we break down all the fallout from a historic weekend as Carlton and the Western Bulldogs advance, while Collingwood and Melbourne are sent packing. We unpack the Scott Pendlebury bombshell, what his shock departure means for Collingwood and what could come next for both Pendles and the Magpie...

The 2026 AFL home-and-away season is officially over, and finals footy is here! 🔥 This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack all the fallout from Round 24, preview the wildcard round and finals, and tackle the huge stories already shaping the AFL off-season. We discuss Mark McVeigh taking over at Essendon, James Hird missing out on a return, and what the Bombers must change after another disappoi...

Round 23 of the 2026 AFL season delivered one of the wildest weekends of the year, featuring two draws, major finals implications, off-field controversy and growing questions surrounding some of the AFL’s biggest decisions. We begin with the serious allegations involving Sydney players that emerged following the round. We carefully discuss the developing story, the wider conversation surrounding i...

Round 22 delivered controversy, huge upsets, major finals implications and one of the biggest potential player moves of the year. We unpack the developing concussion controversy surrounding Geelong’s Jake Kolodjashnij and discuss what it means for the Cats and the AFL’s handling of concussion. Could Zak Butters really become a Magpie? With Collingwood reportedly preparing a monster eight-year deal...

This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack a massive Round 21 as Carlton stun reigning premiers Brisbane, Geelong re-emerge as genuine premiership contenders, and the race for September heats up. We also discuss player pay during personal or mental health leave, whether the AFL is doing enough to support Indigenous players and players from disadvantaged backgrounds, and finish with our annual Ladd...

This week on Between The Sticks, we unpack all the fallout from Round 20. We discuss Collingwood’s dominant win over Adelaide, the Christian Petracca–Leo Lombard incident, Fremantle’s growing premiership credentials and why the GWS Giants have fallen short of expectations in 2026. Are the Dockers now the team to beat? Have the Giants wasted another season? Tune in for our full Round 20 review.

Round 19 delivered huge upsets, rivalry drama and a major coaching announcement. We unpack Essendon’s shock win over GWS, Collingwood’s latest victory over Carlton, Ken Hinkley’s appointment as Tasmania’s inaugural coach, Adelaide’s premiership credentials and St Kilda’s fading finals hopes. Are the Bombers turning a corner, can the Crows contend, and where do the struggling Saints go from here?

Round 18 delivered controversy, injuries and major talking points that could shape the rest of the 2026 AFL season. We unpack the AFL’s umpiring inconsistency, confusion around the Stand Rule and dangerous tackles, and whether the game has become too difficult to officiate. We also discuss Damien Hardwick’s emotional post-match comments, Gold Coast’s fading season, GWS’ frustrating inconsistency,...

ound 16 of the AFL season delivered huge talking points, ladder movement, and major off-field drama!! While the Socceroos continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey with a massive Round of 32 clash, we preview their knockout match vs Egypt. We also discuss what the possibilities of Australia hosting a WORLD CUP in the middle of the AFL season and what that could look like? THE BLUES ARE BACK!! Are...

Round 13 of the AFL season brought huge performances, big questions, and plenty of debate. This week on Between The Sticks , we break down Kozzy Pickett’s incredible King’s Birthday display after he lit up the MCG, claimed Best on Ground honours, and helped lead Melbourne to a massive win over Collingwood. Is Kozzy the most exciting player in the AFL right now? We also look at Collingwood’s future...

Round 12 delivered massive storylines, coaching speculation and some of the biggest debates of the AFL season so far. This week on Between The Sticks , the boys break down Carlton’s resurgence, Collingwood’s concerns, Essendon’s coaching future and the ongoing debate around AFL rules and umpiring. We ask: Who should be Essendon’s next coach? Should James Hird return, or do the Bombers need a fresh...

Round 11 of the AFL season delivered upsets, pressure, and some massive questions for clubs across the competition and the boys from Between The Sticks Podcast are breaking down all the MAYHEM. This week we dive into one of the biggest stories in footy right now — Brisbane’s drop in form. After looking like the league’s benchmark team, are the Lions starting to lose their edge? We discuss whether...

This week we anticipate one of the biggest moments of the season as Scott Pendlebury adds another chapter to his legendary career in a games record-breaking appearance at the MCG against the Eagles. We debate the conversation that surrounded the week — should Pendles have been rested, would the Pies have won if he played, or was this always the plan? Plus, where does he rank among the greatest pla...

This week we dive deep into the growing Carlton crisis, with pressure mounting on Michael Voss, questions surrounding the Blues’ game plan, leadership, and list management, and frustrated fans beginning to lose patience. Is it time for major change at Carlton, and what exactly has gone wrong? We also tackle one of the biggest debates in footy right now — drawn AFL games. Should the AFL introduce e...

Round 7 brought big moments, controversial calls, and headline performances — and the boys from Between The Sticks are here to break it all down. This week, we unpack the biggest fallout from the round, including Brisbane’s dominance and Port Adelaide’s elite ball movement. We also put the spotlight on Gold Coast, Adelaide, Fremantle, Melbourne and Geelong — are they genuine contenders, or just fl...

Round 6 delivered it all — controversy, standout performances, and some serious reality checks. With the 2026 AFL season now one-quarter complete, the boys from Between The Sticks break down where every team really stands. This week, we unpack the biggest fallout from Round 6, including Carlton’s handling of Elijah Hollands and the broader conversation around player wellbeing, plus the Blues’ ongo...

Round 4 delivered chaos — one of the games of the year, massive talking points, and serious questions about who’s rising and who’s falling. On this episode, we break down the blockbuster Easter Monday clash between Hawthorn and Geelong — a game packed with drama, controversy, big moments and plenty of debate. From inefficiency inside 50 to clutch match-winning plays, we unpack everything that had...

Join us for all the fallout from round 3

Round 2 delivered shock results, controversy, and plenty to unpack — and we’re breaking it all down. From West Coast’s turnaround to Essendon’s struggles, we cover the biggest winners, flops, and key talking points. We dive into Opening Round debate, rising stars, injury concerns, tribunal drama, and Tasmania’s VFL debut. Plus, our Top Team & Flop Team of the Week and Round 3 tips as the seaso...

Welcome back to Between The Sticks as we break down all the fallout from Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season. We dive into Carlton’s win that didn’t quite feel convincing — despite a huge showing from Patrick Cripps — and what their second-half drop-off means moving forward. We also unpack Collingwood’s forward line struggles, defensive concerns, and whether it’s time to bring in fresh talent. Plus, we...

The 2026 AFL season is here and we’re diving into the biggest questions heading into Round 0. In this episode of Between The Sticks , we break down the teams that finished 8–16 last season and what they need to do to push back into finals contention. From Gold Coast’s rising potential and Sydney’s bounce-back , to Fremantle’s next step , the Bulldogs’ defence , Sam Darcy’s breakout hopes , and St...