Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the big change in the way the best teams play footy and why it’s killing some teams who had finals aspirations. Plus, the AFL’s first crackdown on players being pushed into danger in a contest, Hawthorn’s point of difference over the competition and the encouraging signs from Essendon.

Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the big change in the way the best teams play footy and why it&rsquo;s killing some teams who had finals aspirations. Plus, the AFL&rsquo;s first crackdown on players being pushed into danger in a contest, Hawthorn&rsquo;s point of difference over the competition and the encouraging signs from Essendon.

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.

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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

‘Bereft of answers’

Free kicks cost Hawthorn in the closing stages of Saturday night’s pulsating preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson rank the game among the best they’ve seen, but say the Hawks only have themselves to blame for the heartbreaking loss. They also discuss the heated scenes post-match before turning their eye to the Lions and their bid for a slice of history against Fremantle - who are chasing their own landmark victory - in the grand final. Plus, our panellists give their predictions for the AFL's night of nights - the Brownlow Medal.

Free kicks cost Hawthorn in the closing stages of Saturday night&rsquo;s pulsating preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson rank the game among the best they&rsquo;ve seen, but say the Hawks only have themselves to blame for the heartbreaking loss. They also discuss the heated scenes post-match before turning their eye to the Lions and their bid for a slice of history against Fremantle - who are chasing their own landmark victory - in the grand final. Plus, our panellists give their predictions for the AFL's night of nights - the Brownlow Medal.

The Hawks bottled it, now for the grand final

Sydney and Hawthorn are well rested and sitting pretty for the AFL preliminary finals, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan question whether the week off and hosting rights are the advantage they’re made out to be. Could Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions both pull off an interstate raid, and who will be the main challengers to Nick Daicos for the Brownlow Medal on Monday night? Our tipsters give you all their best predictions.

Sydney and Hawthorn are well rested and sitting pretty for the AFL preliminary finals, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan question whether the week off and hosting rights are the advantage they&rsquo;re made out to be. Could Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions both pull off an interstate raid, and who will be the main challengers to Nick Daicos for the Brownlow Medal on Monday night? Our tipsters give you all their best predictions.

Preliminary final predictions and Brownlow forecasts

Geelong lost their semi-final to Fremantle then had the biggest fish of the trade period jump off their hook when Zak Butters declared he wanted to join the Western Bulldogs. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss how the Dogs won Butters’ affections, how they’ll now get the deal done and what he’ll mean for their future. Plus, they assess the weekend’s semi-finals and look ahead to this week’s preliminary finals - Sydney vs Fremantle and Hawthorn vs the Brisbane Lions.

Geelong lost their semi-final to Fremantle then had the biggest fish of the trade period jump off their hook when Zak Butters declared he wanted to join the Western Bulldogs. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss how the Dogs won Butters&rsquo; affections, how they&rsquo;ll now get the deal done and what he&rsquo;ll mean for their future. Plus, they assess the weekend&rsquo;s semi-finals and look ahead to this week&rsquo;s preliminary finals - Sydney vs Fremantle and Hawthorn vs the Brisbane Lions.

‘Bereft of answers’

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