Real Footy

The “real finals” start now according to our resident tipping experts, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan. Fremantle will be warm favourites at home to Hawthorn, but will they be able to handle the pressure of expectation from their parochial fans? Geelong face the buoyant Blues, who’ve had the wood on them of late. The depleted Swans host the Lions, and Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks is also under the pump as his team takes on the Bulldogs. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pressure mounts on the depleted Swans on and off the field ahead of their qualifying final against the Brisbane Lions. Scott Pendlebury walks out on the heartbroken Magpies after 442 games to become a Sun, the Bulldogs breathe a sigh of relief and Carlton's Josh Fraser juggernaut rolls on. September is almost here and it's all happening in the AFL. Luckily, we've got Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson to make sense of it all. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wildcard finals pit the Western Bulldogs versus Collingwood and Melbourne against Carlton. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run their discerning eye over both games. After sitting atop our tipping contest all season, they suddenly find themselves in fierce disagreement on both games. It’s sudden-death time on the field and high-risk strategies off it, as our experts debate who will win and why, while also vying for tipping supremacy. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a shameful time for the Sydney Swans. Michael Gleeson says the latitude given to their players has been an open secret among rival clubs, while Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan say the Swans have lost the moral superiority they once carried because of the behaviour of five players at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel. The Swans are also set to lose a key off-field figure, with Mark McVeigh poised to become Essendon coach, beating his former teammate James Hird to the job in charge of the wooden spooners. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Swans are in turmoil and North Melbourne are finishing the season strongly. Collingwood’s kids have delivered, but can they take it up to the mighty Brisbane Lions? Fremantle have nothing to play for, and a number of clubs are looking to give their battered stars a rest before the wildcard games and finals. It’s the final round of the home and away season, and while the AFL’s top 10 might be locked in, AFL tipping competitions across Australia are going down to the wire. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are on hand to help make sense of it all. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Pendlebury has played more AFL games than anyone, all for Collingwood, but Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson identify the rival club where he might get a swansong and why it would make sense. In a remarkable round of football, we got two draws at the weekend - Hawthorn vs Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs vs Carlton. And with the wildcard matches looming, there’s plenty going on in the AFL for our podcasters to talk about. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With two rounds left in the home and away season, there are a number of crunch games this week for Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan to preview. The Cats head to Marvel Stadium for the first time this year, where they take on the in-form Kangas, and the Crows are out to upset the Dockers. Collingwood and Hawthorn lock horns in an MCG blockbuster, and although St Kilda need a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive against the amped-up Tigers, Carlton’s equation against the Bulldogs is simple; win and you’re in. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Geelong and the AFL sift through the messy business of Jake Kolodjashnij’s concussion waiver, Caroline Wilson says it’s time for league chairman Craig Drummond to take a leave of absence. Fellow panellists Jake Niall, Sam McClure and AFLW champion Libby Birch also weigh in with their thoughts on the saga that is the talk of the footy world. Meanwhile, Josh Fraser’s momentum as Carlton coach is undeniable, Steven King has Melbourne in premiership contention and the AFLW season starts in style. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the Hawks make a statement at the Gabba, or will the Lions bounce back from last week’s stinging loss to Carlton? With tipping supremacy on the line, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan disagree on how this monumental swing game will play out. The Sunday-night clash between St Kilda and Carlton is also a bone of contention, while Collingwood face a “danger game” in the west and Fremantle get a rare dress rehearsal at the MCG. It’s round 22, and as tipping competitions draw towards a close, you’ve come to the best place for advice on making your move. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall give the latest word on coach searches as Carlton and the Bombers narrow down the list of candidates. The groundswell of support for Josh Fraser is growing after the Blues' statement win over the reigning premiers, while Essendon's process and political history comes under scrutiny. The pressure is ramping up on North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, with former West Coach premiership coach and Roos premiership player Adam Simpson in the wings. Plus, the impact of Richmond's rare win, the "Amnesia Football League", the return of AFLW, and the AFL coach who decided to break out of character and get a bit edgy. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carlton take on the reigning premiers who are riding a seven-game winning streak, and our tipsters expect the the Blues to come out breathing fire for captain Patrick Cripps' 250th match. But is that emotion enough to tip the Blues? It's moving round, and there are plenty of 50-50 clashes at play in round 21. The battle of Charlie Curnow against former teammate Jack Silvagni takes centre stage, as does Christian Petracca's first match against the Demons. Plus, the "stinker" that's a toss of the coin. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our podcasters are joined by special guest Sam Docherty, with plenty to discuss after a dramatic round 20. He gives a player's insight into the booing of Magpie Isaac Quaynor, the heated on-field exchange between Suns Christian Petracca and Leo Lombard, and what Josh Fraser would bring to Carlton as coach. Plus, how the Saints ran out of runway for injured star Max King, what no one saw coming from veteran Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston, and a blunt assessment of Collingwood's premiership chances after their sixth consecutive win. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melbourne make a rare appearance in the Friday night prime-time slot against perennial contenders Geelong, and our tipsters Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are divided. Plus, the Blues' crucial clash against Gold Coast who are set to lose a key forward at season's end, the blunt assessment of Essendon against old rivals Hawthorn, and the Jekyll and Hyde side you'd only tip if you were desperate. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tasmania Devils made the first move in this season’s coaching race, appointing Ken Hinkley as their inaugural coach. Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jon Pierik delve into what this means for John Longmire and Nathan Buckley and the two clubs still searching for a coach. Plus, the Demons raise the bar, the Pies are charging, relief for the Bombers, Max King's comeback, the Suns' bad week, and more. For more: The inside story of a coaching coup 17 years in the making . Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carlton played dumb in the wet last week, but have their best chance in sometime of beating their old enemy Collingwood in round 19. The question Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan pose to tipsters is whether this is the game to take a risk on as they seek to salvage their season. If not, can North Melbourne upset Melbourne at Marvel, can St Kilda break their drought in Geelong, will the Crows topple Sydney and what are the chances of Gold Coast rectifying their fall against the Western Bulldogs? Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After leaving the Tigers in a hole, that’s now getting deeper, to play with “new toys” up north, Damien Hardwick has written off the Suns’ finals chances. Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure question what message that sends to his players. They also discuss Cats carnage, Bomber voting blocs, coaching manoeuvres, Marcus Bontempelli’s duels with Nick Daicos and Harley Reid and whether the AFL’s biggest stars get paid enough. Oh, and we debate whether South Australian footy fans should be more insulted about being called “peanuts” or “nuffies”. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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’s finals race and also for many tipping competitions across the country. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 apprenticeship. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's scintillating form, Jeremy Cameron's underwhelming performances and the question of where Lachie Neale will play in 2027 are also on our agenda. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 interviews Brendan Riseley, who ran in more games, for more clubs, and more coaches than anyone else in the game. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 keep their winning streak alive, the Hawks are out to protect their Launceston fortress and the Saints hope to keep Essendon’s losing streak running. Plus, our tipsters ask whether a Showdown comedown will expose Port Adelaide against North Melbourne for the second time this season. Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.