State of Play - VFL/W Podcast

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  Recapping a big opening round of the season, and looking ahead to what's in store with Round 2 being considered a Super Saturday! Catch up on: 3 more players added to Joey's Big V list that selectors must consider An early contender for mark of the year  Unpacking the season's f...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  We are on the doorstep of the 2025 season from kicking off and we have you covered wall-to-wall with our season preview.  Catch up on: The news from the off-season VFL players getting the chance to make their AFL debut this weekend INTERVIEW: Brett Gourley; Coach of the North Me...

Across the 2024 Smithy's VFL Finals Series hear the full preview of the upcoming matches taking place this weekend. This week Joey and Gemma are joined by the two competing captains ahead of the first bounce on Sunday at Ikon Park.  In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear:  A look ahead to how this game will play out What both sides need to do to get the game on their terms INTERVIEW: D...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  We have our Grand Final combatants locked in for this Sunday afternoon at Ikon Park as well as this, we celebrate the 2024 season in style at Crown for the JJ Liston Trophy Night.  Catch up on: The return to the Grand Final stage for Werribee Southport are also out for redemption after lo...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  The Queensland teams owned semi-final weekend and booked their spot in the preliminary finals this coming Saturday.  Catch up on: Southport's stronghold over the Cats at GMHBA stadium  Brisbane outrun the Seagulls Top 5 locks for the 2024 VFL team of the year INTERVIEW: Ben Hudson; coach...

Across the 2024 Smithy's VFL Finals Series hear the full preview of the upcoming matches taking place this weekend. This week Joey and Gemma are joined by Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara to unpack his decision to recommit to the Burgers in 2025 and dissect the two semi-finals this weekend. In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear:  The year that was at Coburg Jamie's decision to re-c...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  An incredible first weekend of the VFL finals saw Ryan Gardner become the hero for the Dogs kicking the match winning goal in the dying seconds. Southport's record score holds them in good stead going into the semi-final, Williamstown have advanced to their second straight semi-final as W...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  Frankston have caused a boilover ending the run of the reigning premiers, coming from behind after trailing by 29 points early in the final quarter on Saturday. Williamstown's season is still in motion after accounting for Richmond at DSV Stadium on Sunday.  Catch up on: Frankston's incre...

Across the 2024 Smithy's VFL Finals Series hear the full preview of the upcoming matches taking place this weekend. First up, VFL broadcaster with Channel 7 and the Big V Chairman of Selectors, Nigel Carmody joins Joe Pignataro to take a broad brush to the finals contenders plus zero in on the two Wildcard matches.  In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear:  Frankston: The feel-good stor...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  10 teams remain in the Smithy's VFL for 2024, a big congratulations to Werribee who've claimed the minor premiership for the first time since 2005, the Gold Coast SUNS will be defending their premiership through the Wildcard Round this weeked Catch up on: Werribee take out the minor premi...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  Only 1 home and away round remains in season 2024 with plenty of intrigue around the jostling for finals positions.  Catch up on: A 3-way tie at the top of the Frosty Miller Medal going into the final round Can Angus Sheldrick break into the Swans AFL line up?  Coburg own the Battle of Be...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  There's only a fortnight remaining in the Smithy's VFL and still there's many different machinations that could make up the look of this years finals series  Catch up on: Brayden Crossley and Southport end Werribee's 11-game winning streak Why Finnbar Maley is a shining light at North Mel...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  We are into the final month of the VFL and there's still plenty on the line for all teams when it comes to the top 2, top 4, top 6 and wildcard positions up for grabs.  Catch up on: Collingwood end a 12-game losing streak Ed Allan goes bang from long-range with a goal of the year contende...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  North Melbourne are the VFLW premiers after playing against the Western Bulldogs in an epic Grand Final at ETU Stadium. Coburg produce a touch of magic coming home with a wet sail to overrun Port Melbourne.   Catch up on: Reflecting on a simply awesome VFLW Grand Final Congratulations to...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  It's Grand Final week in the rebel VFLW competition, the Western Bulldogs will face off against North Melbourne for the ultimate prize. In the Smithy's VFL, Werribee are perched a game clear on top, while there's intriguing match ups in the logjam on the ladder behind the Tigers.  Catch u...

Across the 2024 rebel VFLW Finals Series, Christina Bernardi will be the State of Play Finals Analyst alongside Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani .  In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear:  Recap of both finals from Week 2 Preview of the VFLW Preliminary Final between Williamstown v Western Bulldogs Subscribe to the State of Play VFL/W Podcast wherever you get your podcast to never miss...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  The penultimate weekend of the VFLW season is upon us, Williamstown will tackle the Western Bulldogs for a spot in the Grand Final. Footscray have fallen to 1 win in their last month while a stalwart of Box Hill shines in their 1 point win over the Cats. Catch up on: North Melbourne advan...

Across the 2024 rebel VFLW Finals Series, Christina Bernardi will be the State of Play Finals Analyst alongside Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani .  In this BONUS edition of State of Play you'll hear:  Bernardi's recap of the 2024 VFLW season with Essendon The invitational series GWS & Sydney undertook in 2024 How teams opted to use their AFLW lists through the home & away season PREVIEW: W...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  We are into the second week of the Rebel VFLW finals series, 4 teams remain in pursuit of glory. In the Smithy's VFL, a Queensland side is charging up the ladder while Werribee continues its stronghold on top spot.  Catch up on: The first weekend of Rebel VFLW finals action Inside the 4-w...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  One week away from the Rebel VFLW finals series, the ladder in the Smithy's VFL is tightening right up as we move into the back half of the season.  Catch up on: An enthralling final day of the VFLW home & season Joey had a great day at Port Melbourne watching the double header unfold...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  One week away from the Rebel VFLW finals series, the ladder in the Smithy's VFL is tightening right up as we move into the back half of the season.  Catch up on: 0:40: After being in the Footscray gun, the Box Hill Hawks now have their sights on Gemma Bastiani  2:00: Sydney are succeeding...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  With a fortnight left of the home and away season in the Rebel VFLW competition, there's 2 clear front-runners, but the chasing pack are closing quickly. Plus, Footscray have suffered their first loss of the year in the Smithy's VFL.  Catch up on: 0:40: Why Gemma is #1 on the hit-list at...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  Three rounds remain in the Rebel VFLW season every game is going to be crucial in the run to the finals plus in the Smithy's VFL there's action aplenty across the competition.  Catch up on: 1:30: Harvey Hooper leads from the front for the Borough in a historic day 3:30: Why Jack Henderson...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  With only a month remaining in the Rebel VFLW season every game is going to be crucial in the run to the finals plus in the Smithy's VFL there's action aplenty across the competition.  Catch up on: 0:30: VFLW commentator Tyrone Winder unpacks Darebin's 3 straight wins 4:45: The importance...

Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani bring you the State of Play in the Smithy's VFL and Rebel VFLW competitions.  The Rebel VFLW is heading into the final rounds, there's not a game teams can afford to drop in the run to the finals as the Falcons find their way to consecutive wins. In the Smithy's VFL, Frankston, Williamstown and Sandringham are starting to mount a case. George Grey's name has been p...