Jake Niall, Libby Birch and Michael Gleeson discuss the best game of the finals so far, why the AFL will be happy with a Sydney-Brisbane grand final and the key tactical battles for the season decider. Plus: do the Cats get held to a higher standard because they outperform expectations? And should the Swans take the risk and play Callum Mills?

Jake Niall, Libby Birch and Michael Gleeson discuss the best game of the finals so far, why the AFL will be happy with a Sydney-Brisbane grand final and the key tactical battles for the season decider. Plus: do the Cats get held to a higher standard because they outperform expectations? And should the Swans take the risk and play Callum Mills?

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

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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.

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New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

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'Different rules for grand finals'

It's a shameful time for the Sydney Swans. Michael Gleeson says the latitude given to their players has been an open secret among rival clubs, while Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan say the Swans have lost the moral superiority they once carried because of the behaviour of five players at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel. The Swans are also set to lose a key off-field figure, with Mark McVeigh poised to become Essendon coach, beating his former teammate James Hird to the job in charge of the wooden spooners.

It's a shameful time for the Sydney Swans. Michael Gleeson says the latitude given to their players has been an open secret among rival clubs, while Caroline Wilson and Peter Ryan say the Swans have lost the moral superiority they once carried because of the behaviour of five players at East Melbourne's Pullman Hotel.&nbsp;The Swans are also set to lose a key off-field figure, with Mark McVeigh poised to become Essendon coach, beating his former teammate James Hird to the job in charge of the wooden spooners.

The open secret about the Sydney Swans

The Swans are in turmoil and North Melbourne are finishing the season strongly. Collingwood’s kids have delivered, but can they take it up to the mighty Brisbane Lions? Fremantle have nothing to play for, and a number of clubs are looking to give their battered stars a rest before the wildcard games and finals. It’s the final round of the home and away season, and while the AFL’s top 10 might be locked in, AFL tipping competitions across Australia are going down to the wire. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are on hand to help make sense of it all.

The Swans are in turmoil and North Melbourne are finishing the season strongly. Collingwood&rsquo;s kids have delivered, but can they take it up to the mighty Brisbane Lions? Fremantle have nothing to play for, and a number of clubs are looking to give their battered stars a rest before the wildcard games and finals. It&rsquo;s the final round of the home and away season, and while the AFL&rsquo;s top 10 might be locked in, AFL tipping competitions across Australia are going down to the wire. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are on hand to help make sense of it all.

A minefield for tipsters

Scott Pendlebury has played more AFL games than anyone, all for Collingwood, but Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson identify the rival club where he might get a swansong and why it would make sense. In a remarkable round of football, we got two draws at the weekend - Hawthorn vs Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs vs Carlton. And with the wildcard matches looming, there’s plenty going on in the AFL for our podcasters to talk about.

Scott Pendlebury has played more AFL games than anyone, all for Collingwood, but Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson identify the rival club where he might get a swansong and why it would make sense. In a remarkable round of football, we got two draws at the weekend - Hawthorn vs Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs vs Carlton. And with the wildcard matches looming, there&rsquo;s plenty going on in the AFL for our podcasters to talk about.

'Different rules for grand finals'

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