Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan discuss Essendon's woes, St Kilda's big win, Sam Darcy's star turn against the Pies and the most enviable forward line in the competition. Plus, what the future holds for Sydney's Chad Warner and Collingwood's Brayden Maynard.

Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan discuss Essendon's woes, St Kilda's big win, Sam Darcy's star turn against the Pies and the most enviable forward line in the competition. Plus, what the future holds for Sydney's Chad Warner and Collingwood's Brayden Maynard.

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

If you like the pod, please take the time to rate & review us on Apple, Spotify 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/

The best footy writers from The Age and Sydney Morning Herald 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, Spotify 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 very ordinary footy team'

Is Geelong’s form good enough to topple the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the grand final rematch, and can Carlton bounce back from their week of turmoil after the sacking of coach Michael Voss? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ask these questions as they run their eye over all the round-10 AFL matches, including the 30-year reunion of the “merger cup” between Melbourne and Hawthorn and Collingwood’s big challenge against Syddney - “the worst fixture they could possibly have”.

Is Geelong&rsquo;s form good enough to topple the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba in the grand final rematch, and can Carlton bounce back from their week of turmoil after the sacking of coach Michael Voss? Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan ask these questions as they run their eye over all the round-10 AFL matches, including the 30-year reunion of the &ldquo;merger cup&rdquo; between Melbourne and Hawthorn and Collingwood&rsquo;s big challenge against Syddney - &ldquo;the worst fixture they could possibly have&rdquo;.

Cats seek vengeance, Pies to be outpaced

Collingwood's frailties - immediate and long-term - are exposed by Geelong. Fremantle wins over their doubters with a barnstorming win over Hawthorn, and the AFL Commission prepares for a major overhaul. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson unpack all the big issues in football after round nine and look ahead to the grand final rematch between the Lions and Cats.

Collingwood's frailties - immediate and long-term - are exposed by Geelong. Fremantle wins over their doubters with a barnstorming win over Hawthorn, and the AFL Commission prepares for a major overhaul. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson unpack all the big issues in football after round nine and look ahead to the grand final rematch between the Lions and Cats.

Pies minced, Dockers convince and a shake-up at City Hall

In this bonus episode, Peter Ryan and Danny Russell take an in-depth look at the AFL tribunal after string of controversial cases so far in 2026 have thrust the judiciary back into the spotlight. 

We've had a hearing interrupted by an open-house inspection, and another by barking dogs, and we’ve even had a King's Counsel sacked after delivering a judgement that AFL headquarters couldn’t stomach. 

To complement a series running in The Age this week, Peter and Danny discuss how and why the judiciary works the way it does, ask what improvements need to be made and unpack the controversial matters of the season so far.

In this bonus episode, Peter Ryan and Danny Russell take an in-depth look at the AFL tribunal after string of controversial cases so far in 2026 have thrust the judiciary back into the spotlight. We've had a hearing interrupted by an open-house inspection, and another by barking dogs, and we&rsquo;ve even had a King's Counsel sacked after delivering a judgement that AFL headquarters couldn&rsquo;t stomach. To complement a series running in The Age this week, Peter and Danny discuss how and why the judiciary works the way it does, ask what improvements need to be made and unpack the controversial matters of the season so far.

'A very ordinary footy team'

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