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.

Real Footy

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series. 

New episodes from ongoing Metro podcast series.&nbsp;

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'Different rules for grand finals'

Trade period went into overdrive on Friday, with centrepiece deals delivering Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs and Ben King to Hawthorn. Five clubs, 20 draft picks and two other players were involved in a convoluted side deal that helped convince Port Adelaide they didn't need to match the Dogs' offer for Butters. Andrew Wu and Sam McClure explain how the side deals work and why footy fans should be cynical about them, but acknowledge that will matter little to the Bullldogs or Hawks, who are both now among the leading premiership fancies for 2027.

Trade period went into overdrive on Friday, with centrepiece deals delivering Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs and Ben King to Hawthorn. Five clubs, 20 draft picks and two other players were involved in a convoluted side deal that helped convince Port Adelaide they didn't need to match the Dogs' offer for Butters. Andrew Wu and Sam McClure explain how the side deals work and why footy fans should be cynical about them, but acknowledge that will matter little to the Bullldogs or Hawks, who are both now among the leading premiership fancies for 2027.

Smelly side deals get Butters, King to new clubs

The pursuit of Sydney star Nick Blakey took a major twist on day four of the AFL trade period. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan unpick the bold bid from North Melbourne that put them at the front of the queue for the Swan's services.

Can other clubs beat what the Roos have to offer? 

Our podcasters also look at the impact of Rowan Marshall landing at Geelong, the multi-club deal brewing behind the scenes to land Zak Butters at the Bulldogs, and why the AFL "has lost control of the whole system".

 

More reading:
No hardball, no deadline drama: Inside Essendon’s trade reset
On the market: Your team by team guide to AFL trade period 

The pursuit of Sydney star Nick Blakey took a major twist on day four of the AFL trade period. Sam McClure and Peter Ryan unpick <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-trade-period-live-all-eyes-on-nick-blakey-as-day-four-continues-coniglio-stays-with-giants-20261008-p613rt.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=real_footy&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">the bold bid from North Melbourne </a>that put them at the front of the queue for the Swan's services.
Can other clubs beat what the Roos have to offer?&nbsp;
Our podcasters also look at the impact of Rowan Marshall landing at Geelong, the multi-club deal brewing behind the scenes to land Zak Butters at the Bulldogs, and why the AFL "has lost control of the whole system".
&nbsp;
More reading:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/no-hardball-no-deadline-drama-inside-essendon-s-trade-reset-20261007-p613kd.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">No hardball, no deadline drama: Inside Essendon&rsquo;s trade reset</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/on-the-market-your-team-by-team-guide-to-afl-trade-period-20261004-p6129g.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">On the market: Your team by team guide to AFL trade period&nbsp;</a></li>
</ul>

The $12 million bid that's blown up the race for Nick Blakey

A number of clubs have registered their interest in star Sydney defender Nick Blakey. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan delve into the emerging suitors and what they can potentially offer for a player at "the peak of his career". Plus, the "good business" from Essendon as Jordan Ridley becomes a Cat, the big deal offered for a one-game player, and your questions answered.

A number of clubs have registered their interest in star Sydney defender Nick Blakey. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan delve into the emerging suitors and what they can potentially offer for a player at "the peak of his career". Plus, the "good business" from Essendon as Jordan Ridley becomes a Cat, the big deal offered for a one-game player, and your questions answered.

'Different rules for grand finals'

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