Real Footy

How did the Blues fail Hollands?

20 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Carlton are under scrutiny for their management of Elijah Hollands in their heartbreaking loss to Collingwood. Magpie Nick Daicos and Geelong’s ...

Rivalries, royals and rev-ups

15 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Carlton v Collingwood, the Battle of the Bridge, the WA derby; there's feuds aplenty in the AFL this week. Peter Ryan and Danny Russell run their eye ...

To ruck or not to ruck?: The Dogs' Darcy dilemma

13 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Darcy is the hottest property in the AFL, but the Western Bulldogs have a huge call to make on the star forward. This week on the Real Footy ...

Injuries stack up against Bulldogs

08 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Western Bulldogs might be the only undefeated team left, but Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan are unwilling to make the "leap of faith" required to back t...

Hawks, Cats deliver again; Blues smell of panic

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Hawthorn and Geelong serve up the game this AFL season needed, Carlton capitulate once more, Steven King's Demons provide a blueprint for beating the ...

A question of trust for Blues v Roos

01 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Easter round throws up a variety of intriguing AFL games, with Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan disagreeing on where to put their faith on Good Friday. Th...

How low can the Blues and Bombers go?

30 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

One-time AFL behemoths Carlton and Essendon delivered more disappointment to their long-suffering supporters at the weekend, prompting Michael Gleeson...

No excuses for Collingwood, mutual hatred at Marvel

25 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Magpies have an unhealthy reliance on Nick Daicos, but our tipsters, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan, reckon they'll get the job done against the Giants....

'A world of pain' for Brad Scott's Bombers

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Essendon's disastrous start to the season puts more heat on coach Brad Scott and their lacklustre leaders. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wi...

Rankine returns, Bevo's faith pays off

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The Crows get their firestarter back after a long suspension, but the in-form Bulldogs should have them covered in one key area in Friday night's bloc...

What happens if the big four flop?

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon and Richmond are Victoria’s big four clubs with the power to fill the MCG weekly, but what will happen if they al...

Angry fans, fashion tips and undisciplined Lions

11 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Round one of the AFL season promises some spite, with the Bombers and Hawks renewing their rivalry, Roos fans reacquainting with Jason Horne-Francis, ...

How a Daicos, Pendlebury masterclass exposed new-look Saints

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Daicos and Scott Pendlebury run amok for Collingwood, prompting our panel to ask if St Kilda's Ross Lyon was out-coached and how his playmaker Na...

Opening round grudge matches and golden rules for tipping

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Charlie Curnow won't know what's hit him when he and his new Swans teammates open the 2026 AFL season against his former club, Carlton. Andrew Wu and ...

'He won't be captain': The after-shocks of Zach Merrett's trade attempt

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a lengthy AFL trading period, the biggest news surrounds a player who didn't get his wish - Essendon captain Zach Merrett, who couldn't get to H...

'It's not a great deal': Doubts over Merrett-to-Hawks move

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After Hawthorn finally came to the party and came up with a trade offer for Essendon captain Zach Merrett, our podcasters - Andrew Wu and&nb...

'A real salary cap pinch': Swans' Curnow hitch

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The AFL trade period is in a state of inertia, but the intrigue remains strong with 48 hours until the final deadline. Christian Petracca's switch to ...

Not all first round picks are equal

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're halfway through AFL trade period, 13 trades in and things are starting to get spicy. Andrew Wu and and Marc McGowan run their eye over the actio...

'Something's going on here'

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sam McClure's scoop senses are tingling, are Zak Butters and Zach Merrett about to execute their exit strategies and blow the trade period wide open? ...

'Melbourne have thrown him out'

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How much are the Demons willing to pay for Clayton Oliver to play for a rival club for the next five years? Andrew Wu and Jake Niall discuss the intri...

'Sydney are all over him'

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Swans are frontrunners for Charlie Curnow, but only if they are willing to give up something Carlton wants. Clayton Oliver tours the GWS facilitie...

Pick seven is not enough

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Melbourne says the Suns will need to pay up to get Christian Petracca. Charlie Curnow is gettable, Zach Merrett isn't and Zak Butters makes all recrui...

The Lions juggernaut

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

They now have back-to-back premierships, so how far can the Brisbane Lions take this dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Ja...

Real Footy tipping: 'September has different rules'

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will the Lions roll the dice on Lachie Neale and what are the risks? And will the Cats go tall or small in replacing defensive pillar Tom Stewart? And...

Could this be Geelong's last dance?

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We've heard it before, but could this be Geelong's last dance, and are the Brisbane Lions building a dynasty? On the Real Footy podcast Sam McClu...

Real Footy tipping: 'Preliminary finals are the worst and the best'

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The season is on the line as Geelong faces Hawthorn and Collingwood take on the Brisbane Lions. Who will win and why, and what factors will decide the...

Hatred mixes with respect with grand final berths on the line

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Good luck getting a ticket to the MCG this weekend as Geelong and Hawthorn renew their long-running rivalry, and Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions fa...

Real footy tipping: Stage fright or the flu?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What was it that derailed the Crows' first final and can they bounce back on Friday night against the Hawks in the semi-final? On the Real Footy podca...

Is Brisbane's premiership defence over?

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Lions lost their first final to Geelong and have yet more injury concerns. Can the reigning champs bounce back, firstly against their little broth...

Real footy tipping: 'A new season begins'

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Collingwood have the edge in finals experience but is their form good enough to silence the hyped-up Adelaide crowd? Will Geelong's soft run late in t...

Week one finals preview, AA controversies and Mitch Brown comes out

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the AFL finals upon us, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Marc McGowan analyse the games and the key factors that need to be considered at selectio...

Busted-up but the best - Lions roaring at right time

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Brisbane Lions have injury woes, but also a double chance and key players waiting to return. Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall say t...

Real footy tipping: 'An elimination final comes early'

20 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Dogs and Dockers have it all to play for. It's crunch time for the Hawks and Lions, and also our tipsters. Listen to the Real Footy tipping podcas...

Fortune favours the brave

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's shrewd negotiating skills are rewarded with the richest contract in AFL history. Adelaide star Izak Rankine is under investi...

Real Footy tipping: 'A round of opportunities'

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you need to make up some ground with your tipping, this is the round to make your move. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan don't agree on much in this week's...

‘Connecting your identity to sport is a dangerous game’: AFLW star Libby Birch

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're dropping an episode of our sister podcast, Good Weekend Talks, into your feed today as it features an interview with Real Footy star panellist -...

'The Pies have fallen off the cliff, and I don't think they're coming back'

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Collingwood are wobbling. Can they resurrect their season? The Demons are looking for a coach. Is Nathan Buckley the man for the job? And the Dogs are...

'I think the players were right behind Goodwin'

06 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will the "sacked-coach bounce" work in reverse for the Demons when they take on the Western Bulldogs following Simon Goodwin's axing? Andrew Wu and Pe...

‘I think they need more hysteria’

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Should North Melbourne’s long-suffering supporters expect more from their team? Why is it the Lions can always summon a victory when they need i...

'A good team is going to miss out'

30 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gazing into the crystal ball that is the AFL ladder predictor, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan deliver some final-eight forecasts that surprise even themselv...

St Kilda had a plan

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nasiah the messiah pulled off a comeback of the ages for the Saints. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Ni...

'They beat them up every time'

23 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a round of intrastate rivalries, we turn to the Age's two best tipsters of 2025 for the Real Footy podcast. Peter Ryan and Michael Gleeson debate i...

'It should be demystified'

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Greg Swann clocks on as the AFL head of football, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall have a laundry list of issues for him and the gam...

Real Footy tipping: 'The time of year is when a team emerges'

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Crunch time is approaching in the AFL season, for clubs and tipsters alike. On the Real Footy podcast, Peter Ryan and Danny Russell give us their tips...

'So bad it was watchable'

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the Bombers and Tigers played out a stinker at the MCG, the non-Victorian clubs made their charge in round 18. This week on the Real Footy podca...

Real Footy tipping: 'You could see the defeat in his eyes'

09 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan debate whether tipping nine can be more or less meaningful depending on the round, whether the Suns will announce themselves ...

'AFLX wheelhouse': Radical AFL fixture idea sends heads spinning

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a bumper edition of this week's podcast, the pros, cons and implications of a radical AFL fixture revamp idea are put under the spotlight, our podc...

Real Footy tipping: Priority picks

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan hit rock bottom and the nervous nineties, respectively, on the tipping edition of the podcast this week. Will the Blues-Pies ...

How spending time at Carlton can be a 'career-killer'

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the footy world bids farewell to a five-week bye period and normal programming resumes this weekend, Carlton's poor showing against Port Adelaid...

Real Footy tipping: 'I didn't have the courage'

25 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On paper it seems like a straightforward AFL round. But on this week's Real Footy tipping podcast, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan have sage advice for tipst...

Is carnage on the cards at Carlton?

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Blues are once again in turmoil following a disappointing loss to North Melbourne. This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Nial...

Real Footy tipping: 'That's the desperation you reach'

18 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After climbing to the shared lead of The Age tipping contest, Peter Ryan joins Andrew Wu on the Real Footy tipping podcast to discuss the risks worth ...

'Big forwards, big impact'

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Key forwards cashing in, the Bulldogs lurk menacingly outside the eight and conspiracy theories about the AFL fixture. All these matters are on the ta...

'I'm prepared to take a risk'

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can the Hawks continue their winning ways in Launceston against the Crows, and does Patrick Dangerfield's return to Geelong's forward line stifle Jere...

'A reputation for being a selfish player'

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fallout from the Big Freeze match, bruising bumps, the future of the Tassie Devils, North Melbourne's narrow escape in Bunbury and Andrew Dillon's...

'Both teams need a scalp'

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tipping aficionados Andrew Wu and Calum Jaspan dissect the round 13 games in our mid-week episode of the Real Footy podcast. Will it be the Dogs or Ha...

Bloods haemorrhaging

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Real Footy tipping: 'A celebration of mediocrity'

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Birch, Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan look back at the players they should have taken and those they regret picking in our pre-season super draft befo...

'They should be asking questions'

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall discuss nepo babies, combative coaches and the Demons' revival. Plus, the issues that were exposed in ...

Real Footy tipping: 'They're in a hole at the moment'

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu fail the maturity test as they discuss the route to victory for Carlton, the hardest game of the round to tip and why Essendo...

'An unfathomable tragedy'

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Wilson, Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall pay tribute to Adam Selwood and Robert Walls as the football world mourns their deaths.The panel also ...

Coming soon - the 40/20 NRL podcast

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

40/20 is a brand new NRL podcast from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. During this year's State of Origin and Finals series we'll be breaking do...

Real Footy tipping: The Carlton record that’s worse than you think

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss footy fortresses, why Collingwood fans have reason to be confident against the Crows and the Bulldogs’ consiste...

'They look foolish and weak'

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Wilson, Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall discuss a super Sunday of thrillers, the Demons’ decision to play Clayton Oliver in a tagging ro...

Real Footy tipping: 'They've got to get better'

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss teams that struggle on the road, whether Collingwood can make do without a handful of stars and how to work a Bunsen ...

'It might have triggered him'

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Real Footy podcast, the panel dig into the feud between North Melbourne and Kane Cornes, discuss the rise of the AFL super-veterans a...

Real Footy tipping: Pros and cons of 'the early sub'

30 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AFL round eight launches into action with Essendon's danger game against North Melbourne. Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan run the rule over all nine matches,...

'Got their clock cleaned'

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Birch joins Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson to run into the fire and discuss whether the Blues are back, the Pies' flag favouritism and Ross Lyon...

Real Footy tipping: 'Goldstein's a great warrior, but ...'

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of a bumper AFL round seven including the feature Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon, Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu run the rule over t...

'The AFL are not actually a court': Handling of the Noah Balta case comes under fire

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amid the sentencing for Noah Balta which included a curfew for the Richmond player for an assault charge, podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and ...

Real Footy tipping: 'Putting their big-boy pants on'

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter an intriguing Easter round, our tipsters discuss two teams who've developed genuine swagger this season. Spoiler alert: the winless Demons...

'His time has come at that footy club'

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Real Footy podcast, Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Libby Birch analyse the plummeting prospects of Simon Goodwin and his Demons, th...

Real Footy tipping: 'Picking off hoodoos'

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome a guest expert this week to help us identify the likely winners and losers in a tricky fixture of matches for Gather Round. Have the Suns a...

'Live by the superstar, die by the superstar'

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall discuss what's behind St Kilda's three-match win streak, Melbourne's list decisions and the umpiring b...

Real Footy tipping: The unlikely match of the round

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan look ahead to round four and discuss whether this is the week the Blues break through for a win, the team that's painful to w...

‘Bereft of answers’

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Real Footy tipping: 'Could well be a grand final preview'

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss one of the most impressive teams of the season so far, the importance of exciting footy and the small margins that tu...

'A very ordinary footy team'

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan discuss Essendon's woes, St Kilda's big win, Sam Darcy's star turn against the Pies and the most enviable f...

Real Footy tipping: 'This has the potential to get quite ugly'

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss potential blowouts, tipping certainties and the team that was pathetic in round one. Plus, how injuries are hitting t...

'Panic, panic, panic'

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Birch joins Caroline Wilson and Michael Gleeson to discuss the psychology behind Carlton's shock loss to the Tigers, whether there's an advantag...

Real Footy tipping: 'Absolute contempt'

12 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss where the Bombers will be vulnerable against the Hawks, what position Tom McCartin should play and the team that...

'Are you concerned about Collingwood?'

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall debate the merits of opening round and discuss the "puddlingly slow and old" Pies, the troubling exodu...

Real Footy tipping: Big outs

05 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan discuss how much of an impact the Swans' grand final loss will have on their 2025 campaign, the most impactful absences of th...

Why Carlton are one of the biggest mysteries of the season

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Libby Birch, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss the teams and coaches under the most pressure in 2025, whether the Hawks can back up their 2024 ef...

Whose team will reign supreme?

23 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To kick off the 2025 season, Libby Birch, Peter Ryan and Andrew Wu get together to draft three teams of current AFL players and put them to a vote to ...

The quarter hour of power

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After 10 days, the AFL trade period culminated in a final, frantic, 15-minute stretch, and the man in the eye of the storm was Western Bulldogs recrui...

Did the Magpies sell the farm?

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Houston was headed to Collingwood, then he wasn't, then he was. Michael Gleeson and Jake Niall discuss how the mega deal was resurrected and who w...

'It seems a very high price to pay'

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Although it was another quiet day for player movement, a mega trade is taking shape involving four clubs. Peter Ryan wonders if it will be a good deal...

The Bombshell pick swap

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finally, we got some action. Scott Spits and Andrew Wu discuss the rationale behind the pick swaps executed by Carlton, Brisbane, Richmond and Hawthor...

'Carlton will be ready to swoop'

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Marc McGowan discuss the negotiations that are holding up other deals and the clubs waiting in the wings if any trades fall over. Plus, ...

'Today's biggest trade was off field'

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Although no players or picks were swapped, Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan analyse a number of the big off-field manoeuvres that were executed on day t...

'The folly of Collingwood'

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan discuss whether the Pies are wise to chase Dan Houston (and what a deal might look like), the chances of Clayton Oliver...

'On a hiding to nothing'

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Ryan and Marc McGowan discuss the state of play after day one of trade period, from the fascinating press conference with Melbourne list boss Ti...

'Changed the course of footy history'

29 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss the Lions' thumping grand final win over the Swans, from the questions the Swans have to answ...

'A tough decision'

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan take a look at the stats that could decide the grand final in the final expert tips podcast of the season. Who will be the mo...

'Different rules for grand finals'

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 a...

'This could be a blowout'

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan concede defeat in this week's expert tips episode. Have Port Adelaide already played their grand final? Will the Swans' eight...

'That cost them the game'

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss brain fades, sledges and fines as they dissect a big weekend of semi-final action. What does t...

'A disappointing revelation'

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Wu and Peter Ryan tip the semi-finals and issue a reminder about the stat to keep in mind this weekend. Are Hawthorn morals against Port Adelai...

'Coaching for his career'

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Wilson, Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson discuss botched selection, the fearless Hawks and whether the Swans will be glass half empty or half f...