The ESPN Footy Podcast

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca debate whether it’s time for a mid-season trade period in the AFL, and with the NFL voting to allow its players to compete in Olympic flag football, they dream up which footy players could take them on if Australia formed a team. Plus, Mason passionately questions whether the billion-dollar Tassie stadium will ever get off the ground.  Learn more...

This week, we look at the Demons' turnaround from their disastrous 0-5 start, how the Pies just keep fronting up, and why the Blues just can't score. Plus, Jake issues some apologies, and the Ben King stat that would have Fraser Gehrig blushing. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca ponder what concessions should be handed to Tasmania for their entry into the league, debate which positions on the field are the most valuable in the modern game, ask if the punishment always fits the crime when it comes to 50-metre penalties, and look ahead to a huge weekend of footy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...

This week, the team looks at Essendon's horrific effort and their broader struggles, and debate who the best coach in the AFL is. Plus, metres gained records, losing streaks, and 'effective spoils'. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox, who was on the field when Lachie Schultz was concussed, gives his take on the umpire audio revelations that have the AFL under pressure. We also ponder whether the AFL should have a draft lottery after the wild results in the NBA, and ask if goal umpires should be allowed to pay free kicks. Plus, we rank our favourite Indigenous guernseys, and look ahead to a big...

This week, the team unpacks a wild weekend of footy and looks at how close Nick Blakey came to breaking a unique record. Plus, Christian breaks down exactly what makes up a team's pressure rating and which players apply it the most. And what was the 'expected score' from Aaron Francis' miss from point-blank range? Join Jarryd Barca, Rohan Connolly, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Fo...

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox explains to Jarryd Barca the complexities of preparing for a game off a five-day break, while the boys discuss the ‘baffling’ score review system and are hellbent on ball-tracking technology being implemented in the game sooner rather than later. Plus, how Ross Lyon’s brutal subbing of Hugo Garcia worked, and will the AFL and its fans ever fully embrace bold and b...

This week, the team exposes Fremantle's 'Jekyll and Hyde' form after a preseason filled with expectation. Plus, the Bulldogs are hitting premiership metrics, some exclusive '45 kick' numbers, and is Jack Crisp's record unbreakable? Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca unpack the fallout from Paul Curtis’ three-match suspension, and ask whether the AFL should steal a page out of the NFL’s playbook and ‘glam up’ the draft. Plus, Mason takes us inside the habits and secrets that keep Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury defying age, and we have some bold takes in Don’t Be Surprised If… Learn more about your ad c...

This week, the team looks at the players who have improved the most in 2025, and those who have slid down the 100X rankings. Plus, more bellwether stats, the 'zero disposal' club, and are the Blues actually back? Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week’s episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca dive into the public debate around Anzac guernseys -- are they a respectful gesture or becoming ‘too’ commercial? They also share their favourite designs revealed by clubs this year. Plus, they ask the question: should the AFL introduce its own 'play-in' system similar to those used in other sports around the world? And unpack the growing issue of...

This week, and with the election coming up, Christian looks at 'bellwether' stats, and the players feature the most. Plus, success stories of moving from midfield to half back, the fastest goals on record, and heaps more! Join Matt Walsh, Jarryd Barca, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca reveal their totally unqualified AFL venue rankings (sorry, ENGIE Stadium), unpack the Dees' struggles and how it could mirror Collingwood's 2021 season, and ask the question: are Gold Coast legit? Plus, they imagine the chaos of a Suns-Giants Grand Final, and each pick the team with the most to prove in Round 6. Learn more about your ad choices....

This week, we delve into the AFL's best kicks by looking into retention rates, look at where the Crows need to improve, and what's gone wrong for the Demons. Plus, do the Hawks need to shut up and play footy? Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Red Time is back for season 2025! On this week’s episode, Mason Cox and Jarryd Barca unpack the rise of Sam Darcy and how defenders can stop him, and debate which rules in the AFL need tweaking. Plus, we chat Bronx cheers, jumper clashes, and which side released the best Gather Round guernsey?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the podcast, Christian delves deeper into the premiership metrics now that most teams have a month of footy under their belt, while he also reveals more about the '45 kick' and speed of ball movement. Plus, coaches in the hot seat, and player gamesmanship. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

This week, the team discusses Rhyan Mansell's ban, analyses Gold Coast's hot start and if it's sustainable, and looks at the Saints' turnaround offensively. Plus, wind-affected games, the 'second half Blues', and more. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the team analyses the underwhelming starts of Fremantle and Essendon, looks at some xScores stats and which teams use 'the 45 kick' the most, plus some other interesting nuggets on a number of teams. Join Matt Walsh, Rohan Connolly, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the team looks at the strong performances of a number of debutants, unpacks Carlton's shock loss to Richmond, identifies the Hawks' changing game style, plus heaps more including the latest tribunal drama. Join Matt Walsh, Jarryd Barca, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, the team analyses the two Opening Round matches, and look at where each team stands after the weekend. Plus, is Nick Daicos as fit as he could be, and what mistakes did Dean Cox make in his coaching debut? And the return of 'who is it a bit week for?'" Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

The ESPN Footy Podcast BACK! This week, the team talks through new stats Champion Data will track this year, Jake reveals his top 10 players in the league, we give our season predictions, and we ask 'who is it a big year for?' Plus, 'Is the hype justified or is it hyperbole?' returns. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Champion Data's Christian Joly on the ESPN Footy Podcast Learn more about your...

ESPN's Jake Michaels and Rohan Connolly, along with Champion Data's Christian Joly count down the 25 best players to have pulled on the boots in the last 25 years. With so many superstars having graced the footy field over the past quarter of a century, it's no mean feat! This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN's Jake Michaels and Rohan Connolly, along with Champion Data's Christian Joly count down the 25 best players to have pulled on the boots in the last 25 years. With so many superstars having graced the footy field over the past quarter of a century, it's no mean feat! This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Isadora McLeay and Eleanor Brown talk about a big week ahead, including the W Awards, preliminary final weekend and how the weather will play a apart. As usual last week's games will be dissected, plus a new start date to the season, what difference will this make? Tune in to find out all the AFLW latest! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The team is back to talk all things 2024 AFL Draft, with ESPN expert Jasper Chellappah joining Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels to run through every club's picks and who they should be looking to select. Join Matt Walsh, Jake Michaels, and Jasper Chellappah on the ESPN Footy Podcast. ADEL: 05:45 BRIS: 11:00 CARL: 15:21 COLL: 20:32 ESS: 24:45 FREM: 28:39 GEEL: 31:35 GC: 35:18 GWS: 37:55 HAW: 40:40 MEL:...