Real Footy

Epizody

• How John Longmire can puncture the James Hird balloon 01.06.2026 47min

  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 football community pays solemn tribute to Neale Daniher. There’s plenty to discuss after round 12.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Brad Scott ‘didn’t have a chance’ 27.05.2026 22min

  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 for privacy information.
• SPECIAL EPISODE: Inside the Brad Scott departure 26.05.2026 14min

  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 candidates for the job?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Is Brad Scott on borrowed time at Essendon? 25.05.2026 50min

  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 round 11.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• How the Pendlebury party insults the Eagles 20.05.2026 25min

  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 show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Upset wins for Blues, Dees, and the young star who terrifies Caroline Wilson 18.05.2026 44min

  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 reminds another of a Bombers great from the past.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Cats seek vengeance, Pies to be outpaced 13.05.2026 24min

  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 big challenge against Syddney - “the worst fixture they could possibly have”.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Pies minced, Dockers convince and a shake-up at City Hall 11.05.2026 48min

  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://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The uproar and the ‘brutal reality’: Inside the Lance Collard case and the AFL tribunal 07.05.2026 28min

  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 stomach. To complement a series running in The Age this week, Peter and Danny discuss how and why the judiciary works the way it does, ask what improvements need to be made and unpack the controversial matters of the season so far.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• One team's streak is about to end 06.05.2026 24min

  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 that causes the fiercest debate between our tipping experts as they discuss all the action coming up in round nine.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• It's Groundhog Day for Voss and his Blues 04.05.2026 42min

  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 needed Richmond to (finally) win", and how a sneaky photo of a whiteboard in the Lions' changerooms showed the Chris Fagan's team is not as humble as they project.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Friends become foes in Blues' grudge match 29.04.2026 23min

  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 poised to arrest their deplorable record against GWS. There's plenty of tipping strategy for Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan to discuss ahead of round eight of the AFL season.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• AFL fumbles tech, Pendles fumbles nothing 27.04.2026 41min

  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 and all the other big news from round seven.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• The case for a Bombers’ boilover 22.04.2026 24min

  Essendon haven’t won on Anzac Day since COVID times, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are yet to be convinced by Collingwood, and say the Dons are not without hope on Saturday. Gold Coast, likewise, pose a threat to Hawthorn’s winning streak, but would have to conquer their own Launceston hoodoo to cause an upset, while the Bulldogs, beset by injuries, face an almighty challenge to mark their premiership reunion with a win over the in-form Swans and the Cats take an imposing form line to Adelaide for their clash with the Power.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• How did the Blues fail Elijah Hollands? 20.04.2026 49min

  Carlton are under scrutiny for their management of Elijah Hollands in their heartbreaking loss to Collingwood. Magpie Nick Daicos and Geelong’s Jeremy Cameron deliver virtuoso performances, the Bulldogs lose one of the AFL’s brightest young stars to a shattering injury and the luck of the Irish smiles on the Demons as they cause a massive upset over the reigning premier. It’s all on the table on this week’s episode of the Real Footy podcast, featuring Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Rivalries, royals and rev-ups 15.04.2026 20min

  Carlton v Collingwood, the Battle of the Bridge, the WA derby; there's feuds aplenty in the AFL this week. Peter Ryan and Danny Russell run their eye over the round six matches. In a worry for all other teams, they find the Brisbane Lions are getting better. Plus they ask, what in the blazers have St Kilda been getting up to on their week in Adelaide, how many goals will Nick Larkey kick for the Kangas and what did Prince Harry and Tom Liberatore chat about when they met up at Whitten Oval?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• To ruck or not to ruck?: The Dogs' Darcy dilemma 13.04.2026 54min

  Sam Darcy is the hottest property in the AFL, but the Western Bulldogs have a huge call to make on the star forward. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Peter Ryan, Libby Birch and Caroline Wilson debate the Darcy dilemma. They also discuss the future of Gather Round, Charlie Curnow's slow start to life as a Swan, Essendon's drought-breaking win, where Richmond's next victory is coming from and ask what will the ramifications be if Carlton beat Collingwood on Thursday night.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Injuries stack up against Bulldogs 08.04.2026 21min

  The Western Bulldogs might be the only undefeated team left, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are unwilling to make the "leap of faith" required to back them against Hawthorn in Gather Round. The Sydney v Gold Coast game is the one that divides the opinion of our tipsters, who also discuss North Melbourne's most important acquisition, Collingwood's scoring problems and the possible ramifications of a St Kilda loss to Port Adelaide.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• Hawks, Cats deliver again; Blues smell of panic 07.04.2026 42min

  Hawthorn and Geelong serve up the game this AFL season needed, Carlton capitulate once more, Steven King's Demons provide a blueprint for beating the Suns, and the Brisbane Lions' Will Ashcroft puts on a clinic against the Pies. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Peter Ryan and Sam McClure also debate the value of old-school coaching sprays, the merit of wildcard round, the trade Collingwood will live to regret, and whether Zach Merrett's wife, Alexandra, had to pre-book for her fine-dining experience when the Bombers were on the canvas against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
• A question of trust for Blues v Roos 01.04.2026 21min

  The Easter round throws up a variety of intriguing AFL games, with Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan disagreeing on where to put their faith on Good Friday. They also debate the merits of speculative "expected-score" statistics, ponder how much damage the Western Bulldogs could do to the Bombers and get excited for the rematch of last year's preliminary final between Hawthorn and Geelong.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.