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

October 15, 2025 29 mins

After a lengthy AFL trading period, the biggest news surrounds a player who didn't get his wish - Essendon captain Zach Merrett, who couldn't get to Hawthorn. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan also examine Charlie Curnow's monster move to the Swans and the new-look Demons after Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver were shipped off to new clubs.

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After Hawthorn finally came to the party and came up with a trade offer for Essendon captain Zach Merrett, our podcasters - Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan - are sceptical that a deal can be reached, even with the deadline only 24 hours away. "Hawthorn haven't come up with a deal that respects the fact that they have to lose something beyond a pick - they have to lose a player," explains Ryan. The machinations of deals...

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The AFL trade period is in a state of inertia, but the intrigue remains strong with 48 hours until the final deadline. Christian Petracca's switch to the Gold Coast hasn't happened yet, but it will. What is more interesting is the roadblocks facing star forward Charlie Curnow's potential move to Sydney Swans.

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October 10, 2025 19 mins

We're halfway through AFL trade period, 13 trades in and things are starting to get spicy. Andrew Wu and and Marc McGowan run their eye over the action on day five and what lies ahead over the weekend. They discuss Geelong's three-pick offer for Charlie Curnow, Gold Coast clearing space to bring in Christian Petracca, St Kilda reneging on their offer to Leek Aleer and what Wuey would do if he was Carlton list manager for a day.

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October 9, 2025 19 mins

Sam McClure's scoop senses are tingling, are Zak Butters and Zach Merrett about to execute their exit strategies and blow the trade period wide open? Sam says something is afoot, but he's not sure what. He joins Peter Ryan to talk about day four of trading, including Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's redemption story and Steven May's prospects of finding a new club.

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October 8, 2025 19 mins

How much are the Demons willing to pay for Clayton Oliver to play for a rival club for the next five years? Andrew Wu and Jake Niall discuss the intricacies of the star onballer's falling out with his club and why the Giants are leading Collingwood in the haggling for his services. Plus all the action and inaction of day three of the AFL trade period, including the developments on talks about the futures of Charlie Curnow, Christia...

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October 7, 2025 19 mins

The Swans are frontrunners for Charlie Curnow, but only if they are willing to give up something Carlton wants. Clayton Oliver tours the GWS facilities and the Suns build a moat around Bailey Humphrey. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan discuss the deals that happened on day two of the AFL trade period, those that are taking shape and those that are stuttering. Plus, they ask what are the risks and rewards for clubs who make their disgrunt...

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October 6, 2025 21 mins

Melbourne says the Suns will need to pay up to get Christian Petracca. Charlie Curnow is gettable, Zach Merrett isn't and Zak Butters makes all recruiters go weak at the knees. The AFL trade period gets underway with all the bluster, posturing and skullduggery footy fans have come to expect. Thankfully, we've got Michael Gleeson and Marc McGowan on the pod to make sense of it all.

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September 28, 2025 34 mins

They now have back-to-back premierships, so how far can the Brisbane Lions take this dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan pore over the Lions' 47-point upset grand final defeat of Geelong. They analyse the big Lions gamble that hit the jackpot, the risks that backfired on the Cats and all the other major talking points from the 2025 season decide...

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Will the Lions roll the dice on Lachie Neale and what are the risks? And will the Cats go tall or small in replacing defensive pillar Tom Stewart? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan call injury analyst Libby Birch into this week's Real Footy tipping podcast as they discuss the factors that will decide the AFL grand final between the Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions.

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September 22, 2025 40 mins

We've heard it before, but could this be Geelong's last dance, and are the Brisbane Lions building a dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson go deep in their grand final preview. Will the Lions pick Lachie Neale, and who will the Cats choose to replace Tom Stewart? Plus, controversial umpiring calls, speccies, board unrest at the Bombers, trade whispers an...

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The season is on the line as Geelong faces Hawthorn and Collingwood take on the Brisbane Lions. Who will win and why, and what factors will decide these two epic preliminary finals? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss the games and the tactics that will decide them in this week's episode of the Real Footy tipping podcast.

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Good luck getting a ticket to the MCG this weekend as Geelong and Hawthorn renew their long-running rivalry, and Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions face-off in the AFL preliminary finals. Sam McClure, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson are pumped up for both games after a weekend of semi-finals where the Crows and Suns were exposed for their lack of finals experience. Plus, they also talk Zach Merrett's stand-off with the Bombers, Melb...

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September 11, 2025 26 mins

What was it that derailed the Crows' first final and can they bounce back on Friday night against the Hawks in the semi-final? On the Real Footy podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss finals tipping tactics and the Q Clash Wuey - and all of Queensland - has been waiting for.

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September 8, 2025 52 mins

The Lions lost their first final to Geelong and have yet more injury concerns. Can the reigning champs bounce back, firstly against their little brothers from the Gold Coast this week, and beyond that, to defend their hold on their title? Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson give their assessment in this week's edition of the Real Footy podcast and discuss all the other news from the first week of finals and the intrigui...

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September 3, 2025 35 mins

Collingwood have the edge in finals experience but is their form good enough to silence the hyped-up Adelaide crowd? Will Geelong's soft run late in the season be a help or hindrance when they take on the Lions at the MCG? This week on the Real Footy tipping podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run the ruler over the AFL qualifying finals as well as the two cut-throat elimination finals - GWS v Hawthorn and Fremantle v Gold Coast.

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With the AFL finals upon us, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan analyse the games and the key factors that need to be considered at selection this week. They also discuss the contentious calls in this year's All-Australian team and awards night, Mitch Brown's groundbreaking decision to come out as the AFL's first bisexual former player, off-season recruiting games and the latest on the Melbourne coaching vacancy.

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The Brisbane Lions have injury woes, but also a double chance and key players waiting to return. Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall say they are now perfectly placed to defend their premiership crown. The bitterness between the Crows and Magpies is analysed as they deal with the Izak Rankine rancour and prepare for a tantalising qualifying final in Adelaide, while the panel also debates St Kilda's big cash splash. List...

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The Dogs and Dockers have it all to play for. It's crunch time for the Hawks and Lions, and also our tipsters. Listen to the Real Footy tipping podcast as Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan provide their tips and expert advice as the 2025 home and away season draws to a thrilling conclusion.

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August 18, 2025 48 mins

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's shrewd negotiating skills are rewarded with the richest contract in AFL history. Adelaide star Izak Rankine is under investigation for an alleged homophobic slur. And, the race for the final eight is going down to the wire. Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan bring you all the news from a big week of footy on the Real Footy podcast.

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