Real Footy

The top-of-the-table clash between Fremantle and Sydney is the perfect scenesetter for round 18, with a host of games to challenge AFL tipsters. Peter Ryan tells guest panelist Sam McClure he’s been burnt too many times by North Melbourne, so will be tipping Collingwood to beat them on Friday, while the GWS vs Geelong game and the battle between Cartlon and Hawthorn are pivotal for this year...

As the fallout from the fiery clash between Gold Coast and Collingwood continues, Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson argue Brayden Maynard and Touk Miller should have been suspended for umpire contact. They also discuss the "rockstar" momentum gathering behind James Hird's campaign for the Essendon coaching job, while Josh Fraser and Steven King show the benefits of a thorough apprentices...

The AFL is rare in world sport for having people running out onto the field of play, during play, to dispatch messages from the coach. They are the conduit between the coach and the players in real time. Not all messages arrive as they were sent, and the messages that go back to the coach are seldom delivered. In a  Real Footy bonus episode, host and senior sports writer Michael Gleeson inter...

The bye rounds are over and there’s some intriguing games for Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan to review in round 17. It all kicks off with Geelong hosting Brisbane in a grand final rematch. Our tipsters suspect the Swans have been worked out ahead of their game against the Bulldogs. Gold Coast versus Collingwood shapes as a genuine swing game, Carlton chase seven wins in a row, Fremantle try to kee...

Zak Butters’ intentions seem clear, but Port Adelaide will drive a hard bargain for their star midfielder. Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson say the Western Bulldogs remain his most likely destination, but aren’t discounting the Tigers from entering the negotiations. As for the Blues and Bombers, they’re ramping up their respective searches for a coach, and on the Gold...

The Magpies sit outside the top 10 and plenty of questions have been asked about their list. Which Richmond will confront them this week: the plucky fighters or footy fodder? Our podcasters Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan dissect round 16, the last of the mid-season bye rounds.     Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues have found their voice under interim coach Josh Fraser, but their honeymoon ain’t over yet, according to Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan. The question now is what to do about Fraser. St Kilda, meanwhile, are seeking answers after a dark day against the Dogs, Hawk Jack Ginnivan escapes a striking suspension and the rampaging Dockers are grappling with the question of whether...

Round 15 delivers some tantalising contests. Ladder leaders Fremantle host the only team to beat them so far this season, Geelong. Melbourne strive for a win away from the MCG against the in-form Crows. The disappointing Suns host the Hawks, who’ve had a week to stew over their last performance, and Marvel Stadium co-tenants St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs renew their rivalry. Thankfully,...

The AFL executive general manager of football visits the  Real Footy studio for an in-depth chat on all the big issues in the game with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure. From the state of umpiring to contentious rules, the video-review system, draft concessions, the impending arrival of the Tasmania Devils, the struggles of Carlton and Essendon and the introduction of wild-card fin...

Essendon have already beaten Melbourne once this season. Can they do it again? And how will the Roos recover from their embarrassing performance last week in Bunbury? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan preview round 14, highlighting the games where tipsters can get one up on their rivals. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kysaiah Pickett followed Neale’s Daniher’s mantra to the letter to win the Big Freeze match for the Dees. Harry McKay took the opposite approach, chewing up time to get the Blues home. But will his tactics force an AFL rule review? After round 13 produced six close games and one embarrassing Kangaroos capitulation, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure have plenty to discuss. Sup...

Is the Lions’ season on the skids? One of our panellists certainly thinks so ahead of a huge Q Clash against the Suns. Elsewhere, there are rematches aplenty in round 13 as a number of teams face-off against each other for the second time this season. Among the games Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run their eyes over are Geelong versus Adelaide, Hawthorn up against the Western Bulldogs and the Big...

James Hird might have the loudest support, but Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson agree there’s one man who stands above him and all other potential candidates for the vacant Essendon coaching job … if he can be convinced to apply. Carlton clock the “win of the year” under Josh Fraser, Fremantle frank their flag favouritism, St Kilda disappoint again and the f...

Essendon travel west after sacking their coach, teams top up at the mid-season draft and the Giants hook into some ice-cold beers after their remarkable win over the reigning premiers, whose credentials are now under question. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run their eye over what’s coming in round 12 of the AFL season. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener...

As news emerges that Essendon has parted ways with coach Brad Scott, Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall jump in the studio to record a special episode of the  Real Footy podcast. Why did the axe fall on Scott, and have the Bombers contradicted themselves? We ask all the big questions raised by this decision, including whether James Hird will throw his hat in the ring and who might be the other ca...

Caroline Wilson expects the Bombers will say bye-bye to their coach by the bye round, but fellow panellists Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall think Brad Scott has more time than that to lift his embattled club. And what does the coaching merry-go-round mean for Luke Beveridge? Our panelists have a left-field suggestion for the Western Bulldogs coach. Plus, we review all the major talking points from...

West Coast have been framed as the “Washington Generals” in Collingwood’s plan to celebrate Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking game. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ponder their chances of ruining the occasion with an almighty upset. Plus they preview the big match between the Cats and Swans, and explain why it’s time for the Saints and Kangaroos to take a scalp. Support the...

Carlton taste a rare victory, Melbourne enjoy one against a highly fancied opponent and Collingwood seem more concerned with Scott Pendlebury’s impending milestone than putting wins on the board. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson debate all the big topics after round 10 of the AFL season, including their thoughts on a rising AFL star who terrifies one of our panellists and remi...

Is Geelong’s form good enough to topple the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the grand final rematch, and can Carlton bounce back from their week of turmoil after the sacking of coach Michael Voss? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ask these questions as they run their eye over all the round-10 AFL matches, including the 30-year reunion of the “merger cup” between Melbourne and Hawthorn and...

Collingwood's frailties - immediate and long-term - are exposed by Geelong. Fremantle wins over their doubters with a barnstorming win over Hawthorn, and the AFL Commission prepares for a major overhaul. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson unpack all the big issues in football after round nine and look ahead to the grand final rematch between the Lions and Cats. Support the show: https...

In this bonus episode, Peter Ryan and Danny Russell take an in-depth look at the AFL tribunal after string of controversial cases so far in 2026 have thrust the judiciary back into the spotlight. We've had a hearing interrupted by an open-house inspection, and another by barking dogs, and we’ve even had a King's Counsel sacked after delivering a judgement that AFL headquarters couldn’t...

Between them, the Hawks and Dockers haven't lost a game for eight weeks. That will change on Thursday night in Perth. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss the top-four clash, as well as the big match between Geelong and Collingwood where Scott Pendlebury will match the AFL games record and Tom Stewart will clock up his 200th appearance. But it's the game between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs...

As Carlton's recurring nightmare continues, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the chances of coach Michael Voss keeping his job, and name the man most likely to takeover if and when he is jettisoned. Plus, they discuss whether Scott Pendlebury should've played in Collingwood's draw with Hawthorn, the Showdown thriller, the sacking of Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra, why the "AFL ne...

Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni take on Carlton for the first time since defecting to St Kilda, Port Adelaide hit the Showdown with the Crows in form, the Pies rest Pendlebury for the big clash with Hawthorn, the Bulldogs enter their match against Fremantle in freefall, North Melbourne are a "sneaky show" in Geelong, the Tigers have a chance to score their first win in the west and Gold Coast are...

The AFL turned back the clock in a series of video-review snafus in round seven, prompting Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure to ask if the league’s obsession with technology has gone too far. In a different way, Scott Pendlebury, 38, also turned back the clock, producing a timeless Anzac Day performance that raises the question; is he the greatest Magpie ever? We’ve got that...