Down The Guts

Even before Free Agency opened, trade talk went into overdrive. But forget the couldas, shouldas and wouldas - here's why West Coast must stick fat with the #1 selection and resist the urge to split the pick. Plus why the Bulldogs' new 8-year contract for Aaron Naugjton reveals they either have no list management plan or are secretly trying to revolutionise the game.

They were the best team all year, but what did Craig McRae do to unlock his side's potential? His champion team was greater than the sum of its parts. Yet their ability to adjust to their opponents game plans and systems throughout the year, as well as playing to their own strengths is now rewarded with a premiership. What does this mean for McRae's legacy? Conversely, does this mean Chris Fagan w...

So the season comes down to this: Collingwood and Brisbane in the Grand Final to decide the 2023 AFL season. The boys try and find an angle to separate the #1 and #2 sides of the season. What will history say about either victory, how will they achieve it and, more importantly, who will be proven right? Plus where to for the Preliminary finalists Carlton and GWS, and with the Brownlow about to be...

Ouch! For the second season in a row, Melbourne has wasted a top four finish and failed to win a final. While Port Adelaide's 13-match winning streak propelled the Power to a double chance, both were blown before the Prelims. Where does this leave Melbourne and its hopes for a dynasty, and after 11-years at the helm, Adam ponders what will it take for change at the top at Alberton? Is it a player...

All the favourites may have taken the chocolates in the first week of the finals but that only adds to the intrigue of where we're heading on the final Saturday in Septembe. Are there really on two major contenders? Adam argues Collingwood are in the box seat but look vulnerable, but it is hard to argue against Brisbane throwing down the hammer and potentially premiership favouritism. Plus, based...

Finals footy is almost upon us and is there a clear favourite? In this pod, Adam and Joe sit down to cast their eye over the top four prospects and the wildcard that's in the pack.

Adam and Joe burn the midnight oil to crown an inaugural MVP. Plus where to for Essendon and the Western Bulldgos; have Collingwood stabilised, how much damage can the Giants deal in the finals; and do we believe in Melbourne yet?

It's the non-review that has reverberated around the league. The Crows season brought to a sudden and abrupt end with a goal umpire's call that was wrong. Where to for the Crows which outperformed some of the best teams in the competiiton in 2023 but won't play finals? And so too the Western Bulldogs who are danlging by a spider's thread? Has Luke Beveridge been given too much leeway? Yes, he's wo...

As Season 2023 continues its topsy-turvy nature, the boys ask the question - can the real MVP please stand up: Is it Marcus Bontempelli Zak Butters or other? Plus which of the top four teams has the better form line, and why is Brisbane's carry the least confidence? And what to Gold Coast need to make the finals next year? Would Damian Hardwick bring that with him if he walked in the door?

We thought it was nerves at first, not the alarm bells are going off for the topw four teams. What's brought on the Collywobbles; Can Melbourne kick a winning score; how sore is Port and does Brisbane lack a killer instinct?

Are the top four getting nervous? Because here comes Carlton and GWS! In a tipping nightmare, some uncomfortable truths have been exposed particularly at Collingwood and Port Adelaide. Plus what can North Melbourne and West Coast take from Season 2023 into season 2024?

The boys need to spend some time on the therapy couch this week after both of their teams went down by less than a kick. But where does this leave Port Adelaide and Collingwood mentally? Are Port Adelaide scarred by getting so close and failing to get the win? Or are Collingwood seemingly invincible if they're winthin 20 points at 3/4 time? Meanwhile Joe is incredibly husky after verbally willing...

As more and more teams clambour to make the top eight, the rather settled top four experienced some turbulence. What does the Dees come from behind victory against the Lions do for the rest of their respective seasons? How much of a hit did Port take after being pummelled by Carlton? And hwo far are Geelong away from being a genuine title threat after smashing Essendon? All the while the Black & W...

A couple of 'eight-point' matches have created a crunch - eight teams, from fifth to twelth, only serparated by six premiership points, and all in the mix to make finals. But twelve doesn't go into eight - so who's going to book their place in September from Essendon, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, Geelong, Adelaide, GWS, Carlton and Richmond? Adam and Joe go heavy on the tiers in this edition of 'Do...

Has the top-four tribe voted out a contender? GWS's upset win over the Demons has blown the top four race wide open. But the race to make the eight is just as heated - which is why the Essendon V Adelaide match in Round 17 looms as season defining for both clubs. Plus who's at the crossroads? The boys take a careful look at a few players who might be considering their futures, for different reason...

Finally the Bye rounds are done, but normal transmission has already resumed with Colingwood collecting another close win. But is this a trend the Magpie faithful need to be worried about? Does the AFL need to be worried about West Coast's poor form hitting a new low? And do the Demons need to be worried about their avenues to goal? Plus the tiers return as the boys cast an eye over how much has c...

The top four tribe has emerged, as Port show they're capable of overcoming many challenges to go top of the table. And while Carlton may have finally clicked, Fremantle and the Gold Coast are among those that have let opportunities slide in the Bye rounds. Adam's had a gutful of Ken Hinkley's contract conversation outside of the club. Plus what did the boys get right and what did they get wrong in...

Round 13 is the round of defiance: The Demons defy the Pies in a close one; Hawthorn defy a top four team; Essendon begin to defy gravity; Port defy the record books and are the Bulldogs defying themselves? There's a lot to love about the Hawks and the Bombers, but who to chop in the forest that is the Bulldogs forward line, or is there a way they can make it work with at least three talls sitting...

The first of the bye rounds throws the boys MVPs into disarray - but not before a lasting nod to the top five before taking a break. The Suns rise continues to claim significant scalps - so can they make the finals for the first time ever? Plus the curious case of canine inconsistency - why are the Bulldogs so hot and cold? And to bring it home... what to do about Carlton? Do they back their man i...

First it was Hawthorn stealing a win from the Saints. Then the Dockers demonised Naarm, before the Giants clawed the Cats at Kardinia as the Suns shone brightest against the Dogs in Darwin... while the Crows blew Brisbane away in Adelaide. If you tipped more than five in Round 11 of the AFL season, you've done very well! But what does this round of upsets actually show? It's shuffled the boys tier...

Some teams just need a little while to 'click' so with 10 games now in the bag, Adam and Joe cast their eye over who's finally clicked, who's almost clicking and who's clacking so far in the 2023 AFL season. Plus plenty of movement in the MVPs. And don't forget to let us know who you want to see have their list thoroughly examained in the coming weeks.

Round 9 of the AFL season has laid down some key questions as teams mount a challenge for the 2023 Finals Series: Are the Tigers of old, strong and bold enough to grasp their way back into the final eight? (39:00) Has the Grand Finalist curse struck down Sydney? (50:42) Can the Crows book their tickets to September just yet? (1:01:35) Adam and Joe dissect it all, plus movement in the tiers (3:04)...

We're a third of the way through the 2023 AFL Season, and we're celebrating (updating) our MVPs (1:55). Key Questions: - Is Carlton cooked?(20:40) - Have the Suns actually come of age a la "Looking for Alibrandi" or is Melbourne not ruthless enough? (27:18) - Are Port Adelaide actualy a tier above Essendon? (38:52) - Do you stop Nick Daicos to stop Collingwood? Results say no (44:20) PLUS - How to...

Who do you believe more in right now: Port Adelaide or Sydney? The Power's "Untenable Ken" outcoached Ross the Boss, while Sydney had another 4 points stolen from them. Are last year's Grand Finalists counting themselves out of finals action in 2023? Plus what does Tasmania need for long term success when they're granted an AFL license? And who comes in after them as the 20th team? is the NT and D...

ANZAC Day clashes rarely disappoint and Collingwood did it again! Does it propel Nick Daicos to the MVP? Who would you rather be: Carlton or Essendon? The boys track a couple of bid trades from the off-season plus how to address the power imbalance in the trade week, should players be able to be traded against their will? Some big questions posed on the pod - some big answers laid down.