The Swans sink to a new low, the Hok-ballers cough up ad-hoc effort, Melbourne "kick themselves to death", and we ask which acronym do the Saints need more: NWM or TDK? All that and more must-listen footy chat in this week's Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure.

The Swans sink to a new low, the Hok-ballers cough up ad-hoc effort, Melbourne "kick themselves to death", and we ask which acronym do the Saints need more: NWM or TDK? All that and more must-listen footy chat in this week's Real Footy podcast with Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure.

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

Bloods haemorrhaging

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/88b564ea-a9a6-4751-910a-a5d800019396/clips/cdf37c89-721a-4d6e-bb53-b2f0005a5991/transcript

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.

The uproar and the ‘brutal reality’: Inside the Lance Collard case and the AFL tribunal

Between them, the Hawks and Dockers haven't lost a game for eight weeks. That will change on Thursday night in Perth. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss the top-four clash, as well as the big match between Geelong and Collingwood where Scott Pendlebury will match the AFL games record and Tom Stewart will clock up his 200th appearance. But it's the game between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs that causes the fiercest debate between our tipping experts as they discuss all the action coming up in round nine.

Between them, the Hawks and Dockers haven't lost a game for eight weeks. That will change on Thursday night in Perth. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss the top-four clash, as well as the big match between Geelong and Collingwood where Scott Pendlebury will match the AFL games record and Tom Stewart will clock up his 200th appearance. But it's the game between Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs that causes the fiercest debate between our tipping experts as they discuss all the action coming up in round nine.

One team's streak is about to end

As Carlton's recurring nightmare continues, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the chances of coach Michael Voss keeping his job, and name the man most likely to takeover if and when he is jettisoned. Plus, they discuss whether Scott Pendlebury should've played in Collingwood's draw with Hawthorn, the Showdown thriller, the sacking of Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra, why the "AFL needed Richmond to (finally) win", and how a sneaky photo of a whiteboard in the Lions' changerooms showed the Chris Fagan's team is not as humble as they project.

As Carlton's recurring nightmare continues, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss the chances of coach Michael Voss keeping his job, and name the man most likely to takeover if and when he is jettisoned. Plus, they discuss whether Scott Pendlebury should've played in Collingwood's draw with Hawthorn, the Showdown thriller, the sacking of Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra, why the "AFL needed Richmond to (finally) win", and how a sneaky photo of a whiteboard in the Lions' changerooms showed the Chris Fagan's team is not as humble as they project.

Bloods haemorrhaging

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