Real Footy

This year's trade period moved at a different pace to previous years, but finished with a late rush. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure analyse all the final-day trades and assess the player movement period. From Zak Butters, Zach Merrett, Nick Blakey and Ben King to Toby Greene, Scott Pendlebury and Lachie Neale, a host of big-name players moved clubs. But what will it all mean? Our experts give their opinion.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Melbourne are yet to make a move this trade period, but are juggling lots of possible deals, and now have just two days left to get them done. Although Sydney’s Nick Blakey remains their No.1 target, a deal to deliver him to Arden Street did not progress far on Monday. Michael Gleeson and Peter Ryan suspect that leaves the door ajar for St Kilda to make a late play for the dashing defender and also wonder whether the Saints are sniffing around Collingwood’s Jordan De Goey. As the trade period enters its final days, our experts are up to date on all the big news.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A day after landing Zach Merrett, Hawthorn set their sights on Gold Coast key forward Ben King. Andrew Wu and Michael Gleeson debate how those two gun recruits will elevate the preliminary finalists next year, and why a teenager with one game to his name looms as the key to unlocking the King recruitment. Meanwhile, the Roos have their new coach, Jaymie Graham, and St Kilda’s relationship with ruckman Rowan Marshall turns sour.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A four-minute frenzy flipped the 2026 grand final on its head when the Brisbane Lions surged late to destroy Fremantle’s dreams of a maiden AFL premiership. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Peter Ryan were among the 100,023 awestruck footy fans who witnessed it. Hours later, they gather in our studio to analyse the pivotal moments, discuss the future of Lions coach Chris Fagan, rate Kylie Minogue’s pre-match show and tell us who really was the best player on the ground. And we ask what’s next; can the Lions make it four flags in a row and how will the Dockers respond to their traumatic loss?Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Free kicks cost Hawthorn in the closing stages of Saturday night’s pulsating preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson rank the game among the best they’ve seen, but say the Hawks only have themselves to blame for the heartbreaking loss. They also discuss the heated scenes post-match before turning their eye to the Lions and their bid for a slice of history against Fremantle - who are chasing their own landmark victory - in the grand final. Plus, our panellists give their predictions for the AFL's night of nights - the Brownlow Medal.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geelong lost their semi-final to Fremantle then had the biggest fish of the trade period jump off their hook when Zak Butters declared he wanted to join the Western Bulldogs. Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson discuss how the Dogs won Butters’ affections, how they’ll now get the deal done and what he’ll mean for their future. Plus, they assess the weekend’s semi-finals and look ahead to this week’s preliminary finals - Sydney vs Fremantle and Hawthorn vs the Brisbane Lions.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our podcasters Sam McClure, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall give the latest word on coach searches as Carlton and the Bombers narrow down the list of candidates. The groundswell of support for Josh Fraser is growing after the Blues' statement win over the reigning premiers, while Essendon's process and political history comes under scrutiny. The pressure is ramping up on North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson, with former West Coach premiership coach and Roos premiership player Adam Simpson in the wings. Plus, the impact of Richmond's rare win, the "Amnesia Football League", the return of AFLW, and the AFL coach who decided to break out of character and get a bit edgy.Support the show: https://subscribe.theage.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.