Andrew Wu and Marc McGowan discuss why Friday night is a must-win game for the Blues, the team that's hard to trust and whether North Melbourne are a genuine chance to beat the Cats. Plus, will injuries to key defenders hurt the Lions? Are the Pies certainties to beat Richmond? And are the Bulldogs due for a disappointing performance?

Andrew Wu and Marc McGowan discuss why Friday night is a must-win game for the Blues, the team that's hard to trust and whether North Melbourne are a genuine chance to beat the Cats. Plus, will injuries to key defenders hurt the Lions? Are the Pies certainties to beat Richmond? And are the Bulldogs due for a disappointing performance?

The best footy writers from The Age and SMH bring you the weekly lowdown on all things AFL.

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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 &amp; 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 <a href="https://subscribe.theage.com.au/">https://subscribe.theage.com.au/</a> or <a href="https://subscribe.smh.com.au/">https://subscribe.smh.com.au/</a>

News, analysis and insight on the AFL from The Age sports team.

Real Footy

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

New episodes

'A dramatic fall from grace'

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.

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.&nbsp;Michael Gleeson,&nbsp;Jake Niall&nbsp;and&nbsp;Peter Ryan&nbsp;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.

'He won't be captain': The after-shocks of Zach Merrett's trade attempt

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 involving big names Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca are also on the agenda.

After Hawthorn finally came to the party and came up with a trade offer for Essendon captain Zach Merrett, our podcasters -&nbsp;Andrew Wu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Peter Ryan&nbsp;- 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 involving big names Charlie Curnow, Clayton Oliver and Christian Petracca are also on the agenda.

'It's not a great deal': Doubts over Merrett-to-Hawks move

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.

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.

'A dramatic fall from grace'

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