Melbourne make a rare appearance in the Friday night prime-time slot against perennial contenders Geelong, and our tipsters Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are divided. Plus, the Blues' crucial clash against Gold Coast who are set to lose a key forward at season's end, the blunt assessment of Essendon against old rivals Hawthorn, and the Jekyll and Hyde side you'd only tip if you were desperate.

Melbourne make a rare appearance in the Friday night prime-time slot against perennial contenders Geelong, and our tipsters Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are divided. Plus, the Blues' crucial clash against Gold Coast who are set to lose a key forward at season's end, the blunt assessment of Essendon against old rivals Hawthorn, and the Jekyll and Hyde side you'd only tip if you were desperate.

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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The clash that could shape the season

Our podcasters are joined by special guest Sam Docherty, with plenty to discuss after a dramatic round 20. He gives a player's insight into the booing of Magpie Isaac Quaynor, the heated on-field exchange between Suns Christian Petracca and Leo Lombard, and what Josh Fraser would bring to Carlton as coach. Plus, how the Saints ran out of runway for injured star Max King, what no one saw coming from veteran Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston, and a blunt assessment of Collingwood's premiership chances after their sixth consecutive win. 

Our podcasters are joined by special guest Sam Docherty, with plenty to discuss after a dramatic round 20. He gives a player's insight into the booing of Magpie Isaac Quaynor, the heated on-field exchange between Suns Christian Petracca and Leo Lombard, and what Josh Fraser would bring to Carlton as coach. Plus, how the Saints ran out of runway for injured star Max King, what no one saw coming from veteran Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston, and a blunt assessment of Collingwood's premiership chances after their sixth consecutive win.&nbsp;

Former Carlton star Sam Docherty on when fans boo, teammates clash and Josh Fraser

The Tasmania Devils made the first move in this season’s coaching race, appointing Ken Hinkley as their inaugural coach.

Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jon Pierik delve into what this means for John Longmire and Nathan Buckley and the two clubs still searching for a coach.

Plus, the Demons raise the bar, the Pies are charging, relief for the Bombers, Max King's comeback, the Suns' bad week, and more.

For more:
The inside story of a coaching coup 17 years in the making.

The Tasmania Devils made the first move in this season&rsquo;s coaching race, <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/hinkley-makes-his-move-in-coaching-race-20260719-p60gkw.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=real_footy&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">appointing Ken Hinkley as their inaugural coach.</a>
Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jon Pierik delve into what this means for John Longmire and Nathan Buckley and the two clubs still searching for a coach.
Plus, the Demons raise the bar, the Pies are charging, relief for the Bombers, Max King's comeback, the Suns' bad week, and more.
For more:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-right-fit-how-first-devils-coach-ken-hinkley-won-the-job-20260720-p60gqu.html?utm_source=omny&amp;utm_medium=podcast_notes&amp;utm_campaign=the_morning_edition&amp;utm_content=&amp;utm_term=newsroom">The inside story of a coaching coup 17 years in the making</a>.</li>
</ul>

The inside story on Hinkley's appointment as Tassie Devils coach

Carlton played dumb in the wet last week, but have their best chance in sometime of beating their old enemy Collingwood in round 19.

The question Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan pose to tipsters is whether this is the game to take a risk on as they seek to salvage their season.

If not, can North Melbourne upset Melbourne at Marvel, can St Kilda break their drought in Geelong, will the Crows topple Sydney and what are the chances of Gold Coast rectifying their fall against the Western Bulldogs?

Carlton played dumb in the wet last week, but have their best chance in sometime of beating their old enemy Collingwood in round 19.
The question Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan pose to tipsters is whether this is the game to take a risk on as they seek to salvage their season.
If not, can North Melbourne upset Melbourne at Marvel, can St Kilda break their drought in Geelong, will the Crows topple Sydney and what are the chances of Gold Coast rectifying their fall against the Western Bulldogs?

The clash that could shape the season

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