Real Footy

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...

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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If you need to make up some ground with your tipping, this is the round to make your move. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan don't agree on much in this week's Real Footy tipping podcast, but they are united about the potential for round 23 to shape tipping contests all over the country. Listen in to find out who they're tipping and why.

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We're dropping an episode of our sister podcast, Good Weekend Talks, into your feed today as it features an interview with Real Footy star panellist - Libby Birch - ahead of the 2025 AFWL season opener on Thursday. 

Since joining the league in its inaugural season, Birch has played 91 consecutive games of AFLW (only two women have played more), and at just 27, has more than a few years left.

She's a media performer of note, br...

Collingwood are wobbling. Can they resurrect their season? The Demons are looking for a coach. Is Nathan Buckley the man for the job? And the Dogs are still outside the eight. Do they attack too much? These questions and more - including our preview of the AFL season - are up for discussion on this week's edition of the Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Libby Birch.

Su...

Will the "sacked-coach bounce" work in reverse for the Demons when they take on the Western Bulldogs following Simon Goodwin's axing? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan expect so in this week's edition of the Real Footy tipping podcast. Plus, they discuss what Will Day's foot injury means for Hawthorn, both in terms of this week's game against Collingwood and their finals prospects. And you can catch up ...

Should North Melbourne’s long-suffering supporters expect more from their team? Why is it the Lions can always summon a victory when they need it, and have Collingwood disrespected their arch rival Carlton, or is it just a case of Craig McRae being cheeky or smug? All those issues, plus injuries worries for two key finals contenders, are up for discussion in this week’s edition of the Real Footy podcast with Michael Gle...

Gazing into the crystal ball that is the AFL ladder predictor, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan deliver some final-eight forecasts that surprise even themselves on this week's tipping edition of the Real Footy podcast. Turning their attention to round 21, they pontificate over the prospects of the Western Bulldogs against GWS, weigh-up a fascinating clash between Adelaide and Hawthorn and disagree vehe...

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...

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...

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 ...

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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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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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...

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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