Real Footy

Real Footy

The best footy writers from The Age and SMH bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL. If you like the pod, please take the time to rate & review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. We love to hear from you and it makes it easier for the rest of the podcast world to find us. And, why not become a subscriber? Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe https://subscribe.theage.com.au/ or https://subscribe.smh.com.au/

Episodes

July 28, 2025 42 mins

Nasiah the messiah pulled off a comeback of the ages for the Saints. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall ask how did he do it, what does it mean for his future and how did the rudderless Demons let it happen? They also discuss Alastair Clarkson's future after the Cats feasted on souvalakis and his Larkey-less Roos, Gold Coast's statement win against the Lions, the jam-packed field fo...

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In a round of intrastate rivalries, we turn to the Age's two best tipsters of 2025 for the Real Footy podcast. Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson debate if the Suns can turn the tables on the Lions in the match of the round, who'll win an intriguing "Battle of the Bridge" in the Harbour City and a tricky match-up between St Kilda and Melbourne. Plus, they identify the No.1 benefit of Carlton and Essendo...

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July 21, 2025 44 mins

As Greg Swann clocks on as the AFL head of football, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall have a laundry list of issues for him and the game to tackle. Plus, our panel discusses Steve May's prospects at the tribunal, Fremantle turning the tables on Collingwood in a close game, the Suns' on-brand capitulation against Adelaide and the floating fixture "disaster".

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Crunch time is approaching in the AFL season, for clubs and tipsters alike. On the Real Footy podcast, Peter Ryan and Danny Russell give us their tips for round 19, including the must-watch clash between the Dogs and Lions, "danger games" for the Cats and Pies and a sneaky contender for match of the round between the Crows and Suns. As The Age's resident racing writer, Danny provides listeners with ...

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July 14, 2025 39 mins

While the Bombers and Tigers played out a stinker at the MCG, the non-Victorian clubs made their charge in round 18. This week on the Real Footy podcast Michael Gleeson Jake Niall and Peter Ryan discuss all the important news in the AFL, including questions hanging over the Bulldogs, Collingwood's conundrums and ask whether Fremantle has been ruthless enough with their veterans.

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Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan debate whether tipping nine can be more or less meaningful depending on the round, whether the Suns will announce themselves as the real deal this Friday night and discuss why North Melbourne's clash with the Demons is of particular interest.

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In a bumper edition of this week's podcast, the pros, cons and implications of a radical AFL fixture revamp idea are put under the spotlight, our podcasters Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan get animated when discussing what 'success' in the AFL should look like and they tackle a key question for Carlton fans\: would the club be better off if Jacob Weitering replaced Patrick Cripps as captain?

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July 2, 2025 26 mins

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan hit rock bottom and the nervous nineties, respectively, on the tipping edition of the podcast this week. Will the Blues-Pies clash be tighter than people think? Can the Bombers cause an upset against the Suns? Will the Cats be lethargic coming off the bye? And is this the week the Demons get taught a lesson?

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While the footy world bids farewell to a five-week bye period and normal programming resumes this weekend, Carlton's poor showing against Port Adelaide last Thursday night remains high on the agenda. Our podcasters assess the sorry state of affairs at the Blues as injuries mount up and their finals hopes in smithereens. The SCG turf, Gold Coast 'grows up' as fans boo former players and the Tom Lynch...

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On paper it seems like a straightforward AFL round. But on this week's Real Footy tipping podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan have sage advice for tipsters searching for a sneaky upset. They ponder if Sydney are the league's sleeping giant, whether the Bulldogs will salute in Bont's 250th and whether the under-siege Blues can resurrect their season against Port Adelaide.

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June 23, 2025 40 mins

The Blues are once again in turmoil following a disappointing loss to North Melbourne. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the winds of change blowing through the Blues. They also debate tagging tactics, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's mending of relationships at the Western Bulldogs and the mooted return of State of Origin footy. Plus, they identify the one team that might be the sleep...

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After climbing to the shared lead of The Age tipping contest, Peter Ryan joins Andrew Wu on the Real Footy tipping podcast to discuss the risks worth taking in round 15, St Kilda's selection strategy and how the Lions need to lift to topple the in-form Cats. Amid the expert advice, there's a healthy dose of banter, a few laughs and we even learn how the House of Wu will be watching the must-see clash between the Giants and Suns.

Sup...

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June 16, 2025 41 mins

Key forwards cashing in, the Bulldogs lurk menacingly outside the eight and conspiracy theories about the AFL fixture. All these matters are on the table in this week's episode of the Real Footy podcast. Plus, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson ask, was the Hawthorn v Adelaide match in Launceston engrossing or a snoozefest, and what has Melbourne learned from their past experience ...

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June 11, 2025 28 mins

Can the Hawks continue their winning ways in Launceston against the Crows, and does Patrick Dangerfield's return to Geelong's forward line stifle Jeremy Cameron's influence? Peter Ryan is back to join Andrew Wu behind the mic for this week's Real Footy tipping podcast to answer these curly questions while also sharing a few laughs and their tipping wisdom. Plus, we find out why Wuey got home so late from last week's trip down the h...

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The fallout from the Big Freeze match, bruising bumps, the future of the Tassie Devils, North Melbourne's narrow escape in Bunbury and Andrew Dillon's fireside coastal catch-up with bailey Smith are among the hot topics on this week's Real Footy podcast, with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall, Caroline Wilson and Sam McClure. What's more, Donald Trump and Elon Musk even rate a mention.

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June 4, 2025 29 mins

Tipping aficionados Andrew Wu and Calum Jaspan dissect the round 13 games in our mid-week episode of the Real Footy podcast. Will it be the Dogs or Hawks who stamp their credentials in the Thursday-night blockbuster, will Adelaide's form prove irresistible against the reigning premier and can the Swans bounce back from last year's embarrassment? Tune in as we attempt to answer all those questions and many more.

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June 2, 2025 42 mins

The Swans sink to a new low, the Hok-ballers cough up ad-hoc effort, Melbourne "kick themselves to death", and we ask which acronym do the Saints need more: NWM or TDK? All that and more must-listen footy chat in this week's Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure.

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Libby Birch, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan look back at the players they should have taken and those they regret picking in our pre-season super draft before tipping round 12. Are the Hawks a sneaky chance against the rampaging Pies? How much of an impact is the change of coach having on the Swans? And is the Demons' bounceback the real deal?

 

SEE THE TEAMS AND VOTE HERE: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/we-drafted-three-t...

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May 26, 2025 46 mins

Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall discuss nepo babies, combative coaches and the Demons' revival. Plus, the issues that were exposed in North Melbourne's loss to the undermanned Pies, the Hawks' midfield problem and are the Blues good enough to turn their season around from here?

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Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu fail the maturity test as they discuss the route to victory for Carlton, the hardest game of the round to tip and why Essendon should be in the eight right now.

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